JUKI Tip: Using the Needle Threader On Your MO Series

For this month’s JUKI tip, we go over how to use the automatic needle threader that can be found on select serger machines in our MO Series! Creating an easier sewing experience for you, this feature is perfect for getting your machine ready to create, without the hassle.

Follow along below as our National Account Trainer Alba showcases how to thread your automatic needle threader.

The needle threader on the Serger from JUKI is a mechanism that has a lever that goes right and left, whether you’re choosing to thread the right or left needle, before being pushed down to cover the needle in front of the eye.

As you watch the video, you’ll notice how our JUKI National Account Trinaer Alba moves the mechanism to the right-hand position, turning the hand wheel towards herself until the needles reach the highest possible position.

Ensuring the lever is set for the right-hand needle, we’re going to lower the self-threading lever, until it comes right around the needle. Here is where you’ll notice how the mechanism just hugs that needle, giving you the perfect spot to place your thread. Now, remember, for the best experience ensure your thread is not taut, and instead loose. This way the machine is able to thread your needle, without tugging.

Now, as you raise up the needle threader, as shown in the video, you’ll notice how it forms a loop that you can carefully pull through the eye of the needle, completing the threading of your needle. Pull the thread behind, and you’re all set on the right-hand needle!

For the left needle, we’ll position our needle threader for the left-hand position, before lowering the mechanism where it will hug your needle. Next, we recommend using two hands to place that thread in the groove of the needle threader; this will be right at the eye of the needle.

As you raise your needle threader mechanism, you’ll notice the loop form once again, before pulling the thread completely through and towards the back of the machine.

We hope this helps you the next time you want to use the automatic needle threader on your serger machine! What tip do you want to see next from JUKI? Let us know in the comments below!

Stuff Your Stockings with JUKI!

Are you excited about the holidays? We are! In today’s blog, we’ll share our top 10 stocking stuffers you can get for the sewist in your life! Perfect for our MO and MCS series, follow along as we share what’s new at JUKI and our top recommendations.

Clear Presser Foot – MCS

Focusing on multiple layers or sewing pieces where they need a clear view of their stitches? Then, the Clear Presser Foot is perfect for their next project! Since this presser foot is transparent, it helps them observe the stitches and fabric easily.

Easily keep an eye on the state of the fabric and its condition while sewing, and sew with comfort knowing they have a good eye on that stitch!

Double Fold Bias Binder – MCS

If they’re someone who enjoys creating apparel like tank tops and camisoles, the Double Fold Bias Binder is a great tool to keep in the kit! Seamlessly turn, bind and attach fabric strips to project edges in one step, helping them quickly create the perfect outfit for their next outing.

Belt Loop Binder – MCS

Create bracelets, finish belts, and belt loops, or create beautiful finished bags using the Belt Loop Binder! This presser foot automatically folds and sews with the coverstitch sewing and offers a tape size of 20 mm and a finished size of 10mm.

Curve Foot -MO

If they’re working on pieces with curved edges like blouses, dresses, or even capes, the Curve Foot is excellent at helping them create those clean and beautifully finished seams. Due to the size of the presser foot, they can easily make small turns compared to the wider ones with the standard presser foot. It’s useful for sewing tight curves on their apparel and home décor projects!

Elasticator Presser Foot – MO

Creating pieces like lingerie, swimwear, or even home décor like bed sheets can be done easier using the Elasticator Presser Foot! As it guides and stretches the elastic as its being sewn onto their apparel projects, the presser foot overlocks the edge of the fabric. The tensions can be changed on the machine with the roller clamping screw, and this foot can attach elastic tape with a width of 5 to 8mm.

Tractor Presser Foot – MO

If they’re working on apparel or home décor, the Tractor Presser Foot is an excellent addition to their tool kit! Using this accessory, they can smoothly ride up and down the multi-layered part of the material while preventing stitch skipping, perfect for attaching quilt pieces or creating garment projects like bathing suits.

Gathering Presser Foot – MO

For the gathered look on blouses and dresses, having a presser foot like the Gathering Presser Foot is great to have on hand! Easily gather the fabric as the user sews due to the foot’s shape, and stay away from slipping or sliding up and down the stitch line.

This accessory is helpful for apparel creators that like adding texture and design to their projects, like pillowcases, aprons, and more.

Piping Presser Foot – MO

Add a professional touch to projects with the Piping Presser Foot! By defining the edges or style lines of garment and house projects using the Piping Presser Foot, they can create projects pieces will think are store-bought! This foot helps sewists create projects with a more professional look thanks to the clean finishes.

This foot accessory is also great for adding that professional touch to quilts, cushions, and handbags.

Universal Blind Stitch Presser Foot (For Right & Left Needle) – MO

Working on some fun apparel? The Universal Blind Stitch Presser Foot is perfect for sewing a decorative flatlock! This stitch is ideal for their apparel projects because of its strength, commonly used in athletic wear. They can also create blind hem stitching, hide seams, or create beautiful texture on their blouses and add pintucks with this accessory!

MO Attachment Sets

If your family member or friend is a sewist who creates an assortment of projects or is a project focused on a hobby like quilting, checks out our MO Attachment Sets! These kits offer a versatile selection of presser feet that match the users’ needs depending on their sewing level and presser foot needs.

Practical sewing use and enjoy adding decorative stitching? Check out the MO Attachment Set 6pcs created for the MO-80CB. This set includes a Universal Blind Stitch Presser Foot (for right and left needle), Elasticator Presser Foot, Beading Presser Foot, Piping Presser Foot, Gathering Presser Foot, and Taping Foot. Perfect for a selection of projects, like apparel and quilting.

If they’re still building their skills on the MO overlock sergers, a set like the MO Attachment Set 3pcs is fantastic for beginners. Offering the Blind Stitch Presser Foot (for the right needle), Elasticator Presser Foot, and Cording Presser Foot, these pieces can help them start building their tool kit and works for both apparel and quilting projects.

For someone who’s practiced on the MO and is ready to test new skills like professional finished bags or piping on a quilt, check out the MO Attachment Set 6pcs. This set includes Blind Stitch Presser Foot (for the right needle), Elasticator Presser Foot, Cording Presser Foot, Beading Presser Foot, Piping Presser Foot, and Gathering Presser Foot. With these feet accessories in their arsenal, they’ll be able to go above and beyond when it’s time to clean up their project and complete a professional-looking end product.

Finally, if the sewist in your life works primarily on the MO machine, check out the MO Attachment Set 8pcs! With this large selection of presser feet options, sewists can easily create a versatile amount of projects, encouraging their skill growth! This set includes a Blind Stitch Presser Foot (for right needle), Universal Blind Stitch Presser Foot (for right and left needle), Elasticator Presser Foot, Cording Presser Foot, Beading Presser Foot, Curved Beading Presser Foot, Piping Presser Foot, and Gathering Presser Foot. With this set, they’ll be able to cover all the basics for creating a complete garment project.

We hope this helps you find the best stocking stuffer for the sewist who uses sergers in your life! From quilting to creating fashion to designing a home, having the right presser feet in your tool kit will make the next project more manageable. Which presser foot is on your holiday wishlist? Comment below!

JUKI Spotlight: Designing with Kiana Bonollo!

In this month’s spotlight, we are introducing Kiana Bonollo! Fashion designer, YouTuber, and TikToker, Kiana has grown in popularity in the last couple of years due to her videos showcasing apparel projects and behind-the-scene how-tos for new sewists. Follow along today as we talk to Kiana about her journey in sewing and how she grew to the 400k audience she has now!

Photo Credit: Kiana Bonollo

From a young age, Kiana always had a curiosity for sewing. Her earliest memory was borrowing her mother’s sewing machine and altering her clothes while creating skirts from scratch! Later on, she would take her first sewing class, a week-long course on sewing basics, where she began with making pillowcases like so many of us do. Following her interest, she went on to take apparel classes in high school, finding she had a true talent for the hobby and diving into the journey. She began learning how to create patterns and learning complex skills she hadn’t tried before. College would be no different; continuing her studies in the fashion design industry, she has continued to grow her skills and talent, creating new patterns and projects for her audience and shop.

Using fashion as a form of expression, Kiana loved that fashion design allowed you to imagine anything you wanted and create it. Like so many of us, she struggled with inspiration in the past but finds that her favorite work to design are those pieces that she knows she will wear and show off in the real world! Focusing on projects that bring her happiness, her patterns range from loungewear to evening wear, a versatile selection that her followers love. 

When asked about how she chooses which patterns will be sold, “It’s really important to me that I take into consideration what my customers are suggesting and asking of me, so if a lot of my customers are asking for a prom dress- I’m going to make them a prom dress.”

Following her ideas and likes, she pulls from her customer’s suggestions and creates projects that align with their wants and her taste. It’s here that she’s been able to compromise on what’s highly requested and what she truly enjoys designing, creating that relationship with her customers, so many shops want to build.

Kiana describes her style as “edgy, but still tailored and chic.” However, finding it boring to stick to one aesthetic, she likes to dabble outside her comfort zone and enjoys mixing different design styles and aesthetics to create fun looks! With so many different style aesthetics and designs, she doesn’t let one style hold her in a box.

Photo Credit: Kiana Bonollo

With an audience of over 400k across platforms, it’s amazing to see what was accomplished in a couple of short years. Kiana’s page quickly gained popularity by opening her YouTube account in May 2020 due to her easy-to-follow and straightforward “how-to” videos and project compilations. When she first began her online page, she would put in 40 hours a week designing, editing, and creating, treating it as a full-time job. Feeling she needed to give herself a real chance, she dived into her work and focused on her dreams of working in social media and fashion design.

“I never imagined that my audience would grow to the size it currently is so fast, and I’m so grateful for everyone who has subscribed and liked my channel and followed me.”

For those out there who want to raise their following, Kiana advises finding your strengths and taking advantage of them! With so many talented artists and sewists in the world, it can be hard to distinguish yourself sometimes, but finding what you can offer that’s different or better from those out there will help you stand out. Kiana, for example, is known for her videos teaching sewist techniques and how to create different projects, focusing on her strengths of being a technical sewist and the joy she finds in educating others on her favorite hobby.

And a recommendation she has out there for those building their skills in sewing? Invest in a high-quality machine that you can also grow in too! Finding a sewing machine that can handle heavy-duty fabrics and stitches quickly and versatilely is perfect for those learning. They can upgrade their projects and skills without needing to upgrade their machine.

Kiana’s sewing table is always ready to work with her machines! Using the JUKI DX-2000QVP and a QVP serger, she’s prepared to create her silk gowns, cotton loungewear, and more. She loves recommending this machine to her followers who are serious about starting their journey. She states they’re great choices for intermediate and advanced sewers alike.

Photo Credit: Kiana Bonollo

Currently, her sewing table is being used for project requests and suggestions submitted by her followers. With the current pandemic closing shop for fashion shows in many cities, she’s been focusing on her customer base before planning to create another collection. Waiting for the world to feel a little safer, Kiana hopes to continue once fashion shows are back!

Besides her current wish for the runways to come back, Kiana hopes to launch a fashion design course one day and sell her fashion line. But for now, she’ll keep busy creating content for her followers and expanding her current business. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for Kiana and her fashion line!

To keep up with Kiana and her journey, click her profile below. And the next time you want to learn some fun fashion sewing tips, check out Kiana’s YouTube here!

Check out more from Kiana below!

Learn more about Kiana here!

Etsy Shop: Click here to visit!

Instagram: Click here to check out her latest projects!

Tiktok: Click here to see behind the scenes!

JUKI Sergers and You!

MO-654DE

This month we’re celebrating JUKI sergers! Looking to celebrate with us? With so many options, we compiled a list to make your choice a little bit easier.

Our MO-654DE and MO-644D, our most popular models, are perfect for beginners joining the serger world and experts who want professional results. These overlocks have JUKI Lovers raving about their ability to tackle any projects you throw at it! Each machine comes equipped with tools and technology that make the process of creating beautiful garments easy for you.         

The MO-735 is a quiet and stable combination of overlock and coverstitch that easily sews through several layers of fabric and works on thick materials, such as denim or leather. This machine is not only a great tool for designing clothes but for creating upholstery and various home decorations as well. Create all the projects you envisioned with the MO-735!

MO-1000

If you’re looking to waste no time on threading, the MO-2000QVP and MO-1000 are perfect for you! These air-threading machines make threading a breeze. With the press of a button, the looper threads are threaded for you. Additionally, these models also come with left and right needle threaders. It really can’t get much easier than that!

For our JUKI Lovers that have handled sergers and want to grow more, we recommend our MO-100 series. Beginner-friendly but still perfect for experts, our MO machines make things easier with a turn of a dial. With lay-in threading feature, quiet and simple operation, these overlocks can offer quality finishes to your projects!

MCS-1500

Lastly, our MCS Series is perfect for those looking for a professional coverhem finish. Our MCS-1500 can you help expand your creativity with an extensive range of functions and professional-looking stitches. The 3- and 4-thread coverstitch is perfect for various applications, such as hems, sleeve cuffs, and necklines. Perfect for the beautiful garments you make!

Whatever your project, we at JUKI want to make sure you find the best fit! What machine is on your wishlist?