How to Easily Remove Serger Stitches
ZJ HumbachDescription
Whether you’re new to using a serger or you’re a seasoned professional, there will probably come a time when you need to rip out serger stitches. In this video, ZJ Humbach shows you several ways you can remove serger stitches with ease. She takes you through several tools that can be used for the process, as well as what side of the work to start ripping stiches out of first, and what thread to pull that makes everything easily unravel.
Removing serger stitches, as well as stitches made using a conventional machine, should be done carefully if you intend to re-stich or reuse the fabric. If you have used a high quality thread, it is usually possible to clip a couple threads at one end on the fabric’s wrong side, and then pull the thread out in one long piece on the fabric’s right side. However, doing this can bunch up the fabric and create larger holes in the fabric where the thread is being removed. These holes could then possibly still be visible even after the fabric is re-stitched. To protect the fabric, clip threads every few inches along the fabric wrong side and remove the stitching in sections. This process will take a bit longer, but can result in a cleaner finished project.
Just like with sewing on a sewing machine, sooner or later you will have to take out stitches with your serger projects. And serger stitches are a little more difficult, because we have so many interlocking threads. Um. A typical seam ripper that comes with your sewing machine can do the job. But it, I found that it takes a little bit longer and is a little more cumbersome. The next best choice is if you have a pair of snips they work very well because, the, uh, the blade of the scissor is very flat, and it can go right under there and clip those stitches. And once you have those stitches clipped, you want to go to the back side, and if you find the lower thread there it will pull all of them out all at once. So that's the ticket, but what I prefer to use. Let me take that out real quick. What I prefer most is an actual serger ripper. Yes, they have made a tool specifically for the serger. It looks surgical if you will, it's curved. And the sharp part of the blade is all the way in that curve. Plus you have a very sharp point. And once again, just like with your snips you want to come under and it will, once you get it going you can just get right under those and just go right along and rip very, very quickly. This is probably a little bit dull cause I do have to use it quite frequently. I guess that doesn't say much for my "serging" ability, but then you come on the backside and again you've got that nice, sharp little point. You just find the stitch, and get it up and pull. And viola your stitches are out, and you're ready to re-serge that, and make your project perfect. So, stop by your nearest dealer and they should have a serger ripper for you. Or you may even be able to find it in your local sewing stores.
I find the following method less messy. From the right side (top), find the needle thread(s). Pull them, gather the seam untill they break. Then you are able to remove the looper threads without cutting them into tiny little pieces. Keep finding the needle threads and pulling and breaking them untill all stitches are removed.
I use my surgical blade for just about everything, but I didn't know about pulling out the lower looper threads. Thanks for the tip.
Thanks for the hints. Serger stitches are a bit trickier to remove. I also find the blade to be the easiest & fastest.