Repairing a Damaged Skirt Seam

• 1). Raise the serger knife to avoid cutting off the fabric.
  
  
• 2). Hold the raw edges of the skirt fabric together with your fingertips. If the edges pull apart, pin them together.
  
  
• 3). Raise the serger's presser foot if it is not already up, and slide the fabric under the foot until the raw edge lines up with the right side of the presser foot. Position the needle at least 1 inch beyond the undamaged part of the seam to form an overlap of the old and new seams. Lower the presser foot.
  
  
• 4). Press the foot pedal to engage the serger, and stitch all the way across the damaged portion of the skirt's seam. Sew off the fabric, at least 4 inches, after the gap is closed. Tie a knot in both ends of the thread chain, right against the skirt fabric.
  
  

Serging a Skirt From Scratch

• 1). Cut the fabric out according to the pattern directions.
  
  
• 2). Lower the serger knife so it will cut off the excess fabric.
  
  
• 3). Raise the serger's presser foot and slide the fabric under the foot until it touches the front of the knife blade, lined up to make a 5/8-inch seam allowance. Lower the presser foot.
  
  
• 4). Hold the fabric straight as you serge the fabric. When you are done, tie off any thread chain ends you have not sewn across.