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What Can you do with an Overlocker (serger)? Seam finishing. Making swimwear, T-shirts, lingerie, napkins, tablerunners, etc. Insert elastic into clothing. Decorate garments making flowers or other trims. Finish hem & facing edges with the cover stitch. Seaming on knits more quickly that with a sewing machine.
Can an overlocker be used as a sewing machine?
An overlocker does not replace a sewing machine. Its primary function is to clean finish a raw edge, giving the project a professional appearance. Many overlocking stitches have built-in stretch, making them the perfect tool for seaming knit fabrics.
What are the benefits of an overlocker?
Overlockers are great for finishing seams and stopping fraying, they make your home sewn products last much longer, especially after a few washes, an unfinished seam will start to unravel. They also make sewing jersey at home much easier, as the overlocked seam lets the fabric stretch naturally.
Is it worth getting an overlocker?
Overlockers are worth buying if you intend to make lots of clothing, sew with stretch fabrics and make professional-looking projects. Overlockers are not worth using for those who finish their seams with bindings or make home decors that don’t require overlocked seams.
Can an overlocker be used to sew at high speeds?
Overlock sewing machines usually run at high speeds, from 1000 to 9000 rpm, and most are used in industry for edging, hemming and seaming a variety of fabrics and products. Overlock stitches are extremely versatile, as they can be used for decoration, reinforcement, or construction.
When would you use an overlocker?
An overlocker is a specialized type of sewing machine that produces overlock stitches to sew over one or two pieces of cloth. In most cases, overlockers are used for edging, hemming, or seaming.
Which is the easiest overlocker to use?
Best Overlockers for Beginners Brother M343D Overlocker. Singer 14HD854 Pro Speed Overlock Machine. Janome 9300DX Overlocker. Singer Overlock 14SH754 Sewing Machine. Jaguar 489 Overlocker. Bernina Bernette B44 Overlocker Machine. Brother M1034D Overlocker. Janome 6234XL Overlocker.
What should I look for in an overlocker?
You should consider having the following features when buying an overlocker: Number of threads – ideally a machine would have four threads. Adjustable stitch length. Adjustable pressure foot for different fabric thicknesses. Differential feed (similar to a walking foot where thicker fabrics feed through evenly).
Is it hard to use an overlocker?
As you can imagine it is a lot more complicated than threading a sewing machine with two needles and four threads to contend with. Many overlockers also have to be threaded in a particular order and it can take a lot of time, practice and bedtime reading of the manual for you to perfect it.
Do I need special thread for an overlocker?
For perfect results on your overlocker and coverstitch machine it is essential to use a good quality thread that is lint free. For that reason we only stock the highest quality Polyester 120’s and 180’s overlocking thread.
What is the best brand of overlocker?
Janome 8002DG Overlock machine. Brother 734DS overlocker sewing machine. Jaguar Overlocker Advanced 099. Singer 14SH754 Overlocker. Janome 9200D Overlocker. Pfaff Hobbylock Serger 2.0. Janome 6234XL. Janome AirThread 2000D Professional Air Thread Overlocker.
What is the difference between a sewing machine and an overlocker?
Unlike a sewing machine, an overlocker can use anywhere between three and five cones of thread all at once. The multiple threads are used to create various types of overlock stitches. Basic sewing machines only use one thread, although there are some models with dual needle systems that utilize two threads.
What does a 4 thread overlocker do?
4-Thread Overlock In general, an overlock stitch encloses a seam while using multiple threads to lock each edge (this prevents it from fraying). Because the 4-thread overlock uses a second needle in the stitching process, it’s the strongest serging stitch on your machine, and it’s the best choice for seaming.
Do I really need a Coverstitch machine?
But if you sew, or want to start sewing, more knit garments, then a coverstitch will be immensely helpful. You can also use it for jeans-making, attaching elastic, neckline finishes, decorative seams and other fun stuff. So this is definitely a machine you can grow with too.
Can a serger sew a straight stitch?
These are two thread serged pintucks, which are commonly made on a sewing machine with straight stitching. These pintucks were made using two threads on a folded edge without the knife to cut the fabric. The serger stitching creates a more decorative pintuck than straight sewing machine stitching.
What stitch to use if you don’t have an overlocker?
Double overedge sttich This stitch sews a double row of zigzag stitches, one on the edge of the fabric, and connects to a straight line of stitching. Like an overlocker, this stitch could be used to both sew and finish a seam in one go. This is perfect for fabrics that fray heavily.
What can I do instead of Serging?
Best Seam Finishes Without a Serger Zig-Zag. French Seam. Turned Under Edges. Overedge Stitch. Pinking. Bias Bound Edges.
How do you use an overlocker for beginners?
How to Use a Serger for Corners Start sewing as normal along the first edge. Stop at the end of the first corner, at the very edge of the fabric. Take one or two stitches off the edge. Go slowly so you don’t take too many stitches. Lift the foot up and pivot the fabric in line with the next edge.
How many threads does an overlocker need?
The majority of overlockers have four spools that are threaded into the machine, with two threads passing through a pair of needles. The three right hand threads finish the raw edge of the fabric.
What does an overlocker do that a sewing machine cant?
A serger or overlocker is focused on making an overlock stitch. This stitch joins pieces of fabric together and finishes the edge at the same time. It cuts the raw edge of your fabric, making it neat, and loops thread over the edges to stop the fabric from fraying.
What does an overlocker cost?
Overlockers in Australia range between $299 and $4999. With every price point, sewing machine companies add addition features.
Is Aldi overlocker good?
Great overlocker I have own an old janome ezy lock for year, it a great machine but it’s a pain to thread. The Stirling opens up fully for a very easy threading. I have only sewn cotton so far but I’m impressed and so glad I took the leap without thinking yesterday. The inside are metal so should last.
Do I Overlock before or after sewing?
You can use the overlocker to finish the seams together after constructing your garment but before doing any topstitching. You’ll want to try on the garment and make sure the fit is spot on before finishing the seams in this way.
