Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced serger user, it is very worthwhile keeping a journal or notebook of all your projects.
For Your Own Benefit
Its great to be able to refer back to all the projects you have done over the years, and see how much you've learnt and how far you've come.
Its very satisfying to look back at all the project you have completed, and feel a sense of achievement.
In the early days of using a serger, every project teaches you a lot about how to use your serger, what the settings do and how different settings combine or work on different types of fabric and different types of thread. With so many variables on any project, its harder to remember what you actually did, what worked and what didn't.
Its incredibly useful, and will save you so much time, if you can look back and recreate the serger set up that worked for you previously. All sergers are different, or work in a different way, so your settings are likely to be unique to you and designed to suit your taste.
A Fantastic Legacy
If you keep a record of your serger projects over the years, including your findings, thoughts and your own tips & hints, you can end up with a beautiful little library of your work. What a fabulous thing to pass down through the family.
Imagine how you might feel if you had a journal, for example, of your great grand-mother's sewing projects and her thoughts and notes!
Tips on Buying a Journal
There are various journals available, but some are better than others!
Not Too Many Boxes
Take care not to get one that has way too many boxes to fill in, where someone has gone box-bonkers! Some are obviously designed by people who simply want to create a box for every possible thing they can think of and these type of journals are unpleasant to use as most boxes will be left empty.
Just the Right Amount!
You need some basic boxes to fill out, such as measurements, main machine settings and fabric and thread type but after that its much better to have space for free format notes so you can write what you want to.
Stick Things In: Swatches
Its often helpful if there is a space to stick a small swatch of fabric and a little piece of thread. Not only will you be able to compare fabric types in the future when working on a similar project, but coming across small pieces of fabric in the future can be enjoyably nostalgic!
You Need An Index
Very few journals actually bother to put an index at the front and number the pages inside. But this is very helpful when quickly trying to locate a project, especially as you may have several project books after a few years!
We Love! 💙
This beautiful vintage blue journal, with has space for 58 projects and an easy index at the front to locate your projects quickly.
Just a few important boxes for each project including measurements, fabric & thread type, and machine settings, there are plenty of notes space for you to write your own thoughts, attach swatches and note down anything you learnt from the project.
We especially love it because its so well designed and yet so inexpensive!
What a fabulous gift or Christmas present for any serger user, or even a rather lovely gift for you to treat yourself!
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