This practical iPad or tablet case/cover is made entirely on a SERGER…..yes, you heard correctly!
I started this around about this time last year but only recently finally put the finishing touches to it……been using it a lot on my travels for my iPad.
There is a flap over which has fusible web applique circles sewn in place with criss-crossing SERGER chain stitch
The back of the case has a large zippered pocket. The pocket was quilted with serger chain stitch too AND the zipper was inserted using chain stitch. Who said you cant use a serger for LOTS of regular sewing?
Close up pic of the quilting. I just did a rough grid of lines. A serger sews SO quickly so this quilting got done lickety split fast.
OK so I will admit I sewed the Velcro strips on with a zig-zag at my JANOME SEWING MACHINE . However, I could have used the serger chain stitch!
Sorry, I don’t remember the name of the pattern I used and seem to have mislaid it but I think intermediate sewers could probably figure this out easily without needing a pattern.
Janome Life 
Is there any technique needed to lock in chain stitches? Are there risks of it coming undone? I associate chain stitch with feed bags. I would like to use exclusively my CPX 2000 and my HD3000. I don’t own (or wish to own) a serger.
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Hi Sylvia,
Yes, chain stitches by their very nature can be unraveled. eg that was functional for feed sacks. Personally I don’t find it that easy to get a hold of the exact thread needed to start the unraveling process so I think maybe that happens easier with the thicker threads used on feed sacks. There is no locking stitch on a serger/for a chain stitch. However, whether I am doing a cover hem or a chain stitch, I always take the upper threads to the back and tie them manually 2 or 3 times and then snip off the tails. I seldom, if ever, have any of these coming undone. (cut the top threads and simply gently pull the fabric out of the serger and those top threads will be pulled automatically to the back. Then just clip the chain stitch looper thread.
If I wanted another option, I could dab a little fray check on the knots on the back. Personally I don’t find this necessary but it can be done.
Alternatively, chain stitch can be “worked” into a seam and that will also secure the ends of a row of chain stitch.
Hope that helps.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Great, thanks for the reply. That gives me some great ideas for seams, etc.
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Just as Marnie above unknowingly thought, this is a VERY misleading post! Not every serger will sew a chain stitch, just as no coverhem machine will ever overlock and cut. The title should be more accurately titled using both words “Coverhem & serger” or even better “using a 5 thread serger”.
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Hi Emily,
Thank you for pointing this out. The post has been edited.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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Hi Liz – is there a pattern for this – see you at the TradeX this weekend!
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Apologies, I seem to have mislaid my pattern and do not recall the name/pattern company. But I am sure there are many similar patterns available which will do the same thing.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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I promised my hubby I wouldn’t ask for any more new Janome machines after he bought me the fabulous Horizon MC15000. Hmm. A new serger might be needed. I would love a serger that did the coverhem. lol. What serger model would you recommend?
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Hi,
You could add the Janome CPX2000 Coverhem only machine to what you already have with your 4 thread serger. The Janome 1200D is our 5 thread serger.
Come & see us at the Sewing Show this weekend and we will show you!
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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What a fab idea Liz. I have 4 thread Janome serger. Never tried a serger chainstitch. Do I just use the 1st & 2nd thread?
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Hi Marnie,
You need a 5 thread serger or a dedicated Coverhem serger in order to do chain stitch: 1 needle and the chain stitch looper.
Sorry, a 4 thread serger won’t give you chain stitch.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
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