Sew a cozy sweatshirt this fall for FREE!

Get your Free Pattern

5 Ways to Secure Serger Tails

How to secure those pesky little thread tails your serger leaves behind.

Posted in: Sewing Tutorials • July 24, 2023

Sometimes, when you serge a seam, you’re left with a pesky little tail of serger thread at the beginning and end of your seam.

If that seam is not secured by another seam, you need to secure the serger tail yourself, otherwise, your serging will unravel.

Here are 5 different ways to deal with those annoying little tails your serger leaves on your seams.

1. Use a tapestry needle. You can use a tapestry needle to thread the end of the tail back into the serging. If you’re a knitter, you’ll be familiar with this technique.

2. Turn and serge. Start by serging as normal, and when you get to the end of your seam, serge a few stitches over the edge. Lift your presser foot, flip your fabric over, and lower your presser foot. Then serge for a while and go off the edge.

3. Zigzag or bartack the edge. After serging, go back to your regular sewing machine and sew a few zigzag stitches or a bartack at the ends of your seams.








4. Tie the ends in a knot. Just create a knot at the end, either by knotting the whole thing or by isolating each thread and tying a smaller knot.



5. Use a garment tag. On a neckline, you can cover the area where you overlap your serged stitches with a cute garment tag! This tag is from our friends at Blackbird Fabrics.

How do you secure your serger tail? Comment and let us know your favorite method!




Love the article? Pin it for later.



Related Articles
5 Pattern-Matching Tricks for Sewing Stripes and Checks With Confidence
Stop avoiding your favorite fabrics. These techniques make matching stripes and checks easier than you think.
How to Sew a Perfect Neckband Every Time: 5 Tips for Clean, Professional Results
Stop ending up with a floppy, stretched-out neckband — these five techniques will help you troubleshoot the most common problems and get a polished finish on every knit top you sew
How to Sew a Fitted T-Shirt from Start to Finish (With a Perfectly Flat Neckband Every Time)
Master the basics of sewing a knit tee with this complete step-by-step guide — including the neckband technique that changes everything.
How to Sew Bias-Cut Garments: 5 Essential Tips for Beautiful Drape
Master bias cutting techniques with confidence and create flowing garments that move beautifully with your body

Join the Snippets Newsletter

And Get the Hansie Woven T-Shirt Pattern for Free!

(Plus a new free pattern every season.)

Get these free patterns instantly when you join over 300,000 readers who get clever sewing ideas in their inbox each week.

Want to comment on this article?

Sign in or become a Seamwork member to comment on this article.

Sign in            Learn More