Question about sergers and down

[rushashanti]

I am getting ready to make some down booties. (Yes, I know it is almost springtime, but I had enough winter outings this year that I have decided this is something I will need next winter). Anyway, I was thinking of serging the seams with a 4-thread overlock since the seams will all be enclosed between the outer and inner layers.

My question, is there a risk of down escaping from a serged seam? I have basically used a fine straight stitch working with down in the past, but I know a lot of vendors use serging on these UL rip stop fabrics. My booties will be from Argon 90 that I had left over with about 2.5 ounces of down per foot.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Tacblades]

Just do a test, i have found that serging ultra light fabrics dont really work for me, pulls the fabric and getting the tension right is tricky, so just fine small straight stitch for me.

[Ramblinrev]

If the machine will handle the fabric I see no reason it should be a problem. The four thread overlock stitch is an industry standard in many products. I however... I must confess the construction eludes me some if you are going to be using baffles. One way or the other, you'll have regular strainght stitches for a stuffing and turning opening. But I'm not a designer so this may be my own limitations showing.

[rushashanti]

You are right Ramblinrev, I wouldn't see how you could use it for baffles. I wasn't going to use baffles on the down boots given the relative small volume of space. I was thinking serging for the ease of the outside construction. I know there are a few manufacturers of these types. And I am not sure what they do. In full disclosure, I have never actually held an actual pair, so I am shooting in the dark.

As for as how this goes with hammocks, I see these being a perfect compliment to my UQ/TQ and with the addition of overboots, I will be able to leave them on for those unwanted nightly excursions away from the hammock to answer the call of nature.

[Scotty Von Porkchop]

I'd personally use a backup stitch with a normal sewing machine just on the inside of the 4 thread overlock/serger to make a '5 stitch overlocker stitch', I find it gives a nicer finish IMO

download.jpg

[rushashanti]

Scotty, would you still use the backup stitch if the overlock stitch is turned to the inside and hidden? The reason why I ask is would the overlock be necessary if the straight stitch is the end of the flipped seam.