Overlockers & Cover Stitch Machines
May 3, 2018
Choosing the Right Overclocker for You
Overlockers make hemming a breeze. How do you know what one is right for you? Our guide will help you learn the basics. For a personalised recommendation, talk to our team at The Sewing Machine Doctor today.
Standard Overlocker/Serger
- Usually 3 or 4 thread. Usually in a combination of 2 needles forming a mock safety stitch (appears as a straight stitch from above) with an upper and lower looper. However, some machines have 5 threads in a combination of 3-thread overlock (one needle, two looper) and 2-thread chainstitch
- Some older 4 threads have a combination described as 2/4. This is a 2-thread chainstitch with an independent 2-thread overedge
- Some more recent machines have different feet available for functions, such as blind hemming and elastication
- All incorporate a trimming knife to cut raw edges
- More recent machines have easily moved parts to enable swift set-up for narrow or rolled hemming
- Good for most home seamstresses
Cover Stitch Overlocker/Serger
- Can have space for up to 8 threads with several variations, but normally a 5-thread machine
- Has most of the features above with the addition of Coverstitch (flat overlock stitch found on t-shirts, windcheaters, hoodies, etc.)
- Extremely versatile with many different options, but can be complex to set up
- Can feature automatic tensions, as well as some aids for threading
- Often larger and heavier, but this helps hold them down at high speed
- Recommended for advanced sewers or home-based businesses
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You’ve looked and looked, tried and tested and finally made the decision. Your brand new overlocker is ready to take pride of place in the sewing room, right next to the freshly cut out project it will take on tomorrow. Before throwing yourself enthusiastically into the delights your new friend promises, let’s look at some […]
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