How to Add a Thread Cutter On A Sewing Machine or Serger

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Let’s start by saying I am SO spoiled by the automatic thread cutter on my sewing and embroidery machine.  I don’t know how I lived without it! 

Before I had a machine with an automatic thread cutter, I owned a machine with at least a thread cutter built into the side of the machine.

Recently, I decided to purchase my own serger (LOVE my Brother 1034D serger for the record.)  The biggest thing that drives me crazy about it is there is no thread cutter. 

I wasn’t expecting a sewing machine with an automatic thread cutter at its price point, but I was at least hoping for a manual thread cutter somewhere on the machine body.  Now, of course, with a serger, you can always sew over your thread chain to cut it, but I’ve caused a lot of thread jams doing that.

I also thought I could get by with always having a pair of sewing scissors around to snip thread chains, but I’m forgetful and misplace things easily. 

To rectify this annoying issue, I did some searching and came upon the perfect solution: the Singer sewing machine thread cutter.

I want to show you how SIMPLE and EASY it is to add a manual thread cutter to any sewing machine or serger. 

Especially if you have an older sewing machine or an inexpensive serger like I do, I think you’ll be so pleased with how easy this addition is!

 

About the Singer Machine Thread Cutter

As you can see here, the Singer sewing machine thread cutter is a little round plastic piece.  The bottom side is completely solid plastic, and the other side has a small, sharp razor blade inside.  The side with the blade is a little thinner than the side without.

These thread cutters come in a package of three on Amazon, which is nice because after a long while they will get dull and need to be replaced.

On the back of each thread cutter is an adhesive pad that attaches to most sewing machine or serger surfaces.  If you yank your threads aggressively in the thread cutter, it will accidentally pull off.  While it would be nice for the cutter to be permanent, you wouldn’t be able to replace a dull thread cutter without a lot of effort if that were the case!

How to Attach a Thread Cutter To Your Sewing Machine or Serger

First, you want to find the best location for your thread cutter.  For many sewing machines or sergers, this will be on the left side of the sewing machine head.  Placing it on the workspace of the sewing machine is not a good idea because it will catch on your projects as you’re feeding them through your machine.

For my serger, I chose the top left of the presser foot and needle on the side of the machine.  I made a long chain of serger thread and moved it around until I found the best place to adhere the cutter.

Per my personal preference, I like the razor of the thread cutter pointing up.  This is how I’ve been accustomed to trimming threads with my sewing machine cutter, so it only makes sense to mimic that muscle memory with my serger.

I simply removed the adhesive backing on the thread cutter, applied it to my serger, and that was that!

Now when I serge, I can wrap those pesky threads around the thread cutter and worry about finding my sewing scissors at a completely different time!

Using the Thread Cutter

With sewing machine threads, it’s easy to place the two threads from the top over and pull.

With a 3- or 4-thread overlock stitch, it’s not quite as simple.  You will need to make sure to hold the end of the thread with one hand and wrap it around the thread cutter.  Use the other hand to hold the thread near the presser foot on the other side of the cutter.  If you don’t secure the thread on both ends, the looper threads will unravel and be unruly.  With the threads taut, it will work perfectly!

Reviewing Its Effectivity Over Time

I’ve had this on for over a month now, and I’ve been pleased!  That’s is why I’ve written this review and tutorial.  Over the month, the cutter has stayed sharp, and it hasn’t fallen off once.

It’s small enough and in such a good place that it also doesn’t interfere with my stitching.  While I have to cut the threads slightly longer than I usually would when trimming with scissors, it is worth it to not have to worry about finding my scissors!