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Permalink Reply by Miss Creative on November 20, 2010 at 8:38am

By carrying out some research, I have discovered that the thread must not be too strong (could cause damage) or too weak (thread breakage) but buy threads that are of a gauge 120. It is also a good idea to still check with your manual for the best recommended quality

Permalink Reply by Amethyst on January 14, 2012 at 11:09am

Also, sergers use a LOT more thread than a conventional sewing machine, so we buy those big spools simply for economy. You could use regular spools of thread (I have in a pinch), but they'd run out PDQ.

Community AssistantPermalink Reply by Karen on March 10, 2012 at 6:16pm

Serger Thread vs Sewing Machine Thread

1. Serger thread is slightly finer as more than one is used
2. It is stronger and smoother to pass through the works at high speed
3. Serger thread is 'cross wound' to feed upwards, sewing thread is parallel wound to feed sideways
4. Coned thread comes in fewer colours.  Match the needle thread to your fabric as they may show
5. Cones come in 2 shapes, standard cone (3000 yards and over) and compact cones (around 1500 yards).  You can use cone adaptors to make sure they both fit
6. You can use standard parallel thread if you put a 'spool cap' on top.  It's wider than the spool to help the thread reel off upwards. Sometimes called 'thread stripping discs'.
7. Decorative, slippery threads need spool 'nets' to stop them unravelling

I get my thread from www.Jaycotts.co.uk now.

I have been buying the economy Moon overlocker thread in small 1000 yard spools from them to get some nice colours.  I had already bought the big 3000 yard cones in White, Black and Cream for tidying seams from local shops.  

I did a couple of overlocker courses and on one of them used Wooly Nylon for rolled hems.  This is a brand name for texturised nylon and is also known as Bulk Nylon or Flock Thread.    It fluffs up and fills the gaps between the stitches to give a more solid effect. Anyway I bought one in black and one in white but I confess I have never used it!

Hope this was useful, though it's probably a bit late as your message was last November!