Messageboard
The Village HallÌý permalink
Overlockers, anyone?
This discussion has been closed.
-
Message 1.Ìý
Posted by Babs (U12089863) on Monday, 29th August 2011
I'm thinking of buying one, having had no experience of them whatsoever...I'm taking dressmaking up again after a lull of mumble-mumble years, am competent with a sewing maching, including buttonholing, but wonder if an overlocker would help with a more professional finish?
Any advice gratefully received!
Thanks.
B
xx -
Message 2
Posted by Myfourpennorth (U14832426) on Monday, 29th August 2011
i bought one five years ago after a "taster day" at our local fabric shop - and have never looked back!
I've made dance costumes for my daughters at about a quarter of the cost of buying professionally-made costumes so that's been a real saving, aside from the enjoyment of designing & creating the outfits themselves.
I also find that the overlocker is excellent for hemming very light and/or delicate fabrics, where a traditional turned-up hem isn't practical to handle. And sometimes, it's just quicker to overlock then turn up a single hem, tho' i don't know what our old needlework teacher would have said...
Threading looks like an awful faff but with a good pair of long tweezers it's not too bad and you do get better with practice!
Don't know if this is any help but good luck whatever you decide! -
Message 3
Posted by Babs (U12089863) on Monday, 29th August 2011
Thank you, Yourfourpennorth. Do they all trim as well as overcast, or is that a special feature of only some machines?
I've found that zigzagging delicates on a conventional sewing machine can be difficult; snagging and curling and so on. Does the overlocker avoid this happening? -
Message 4
Posted by Myfourpennorth (U14832426) on Monday, 29th August 2011
I don't know if any machines come without the trimming blade but no doubt some goggling will help there!
My overlocker trimming blade can be swivelled out of the way, for example to stitch a small, tightly rolled hem - good for very light chiffon-y material. So yes, I've found that handling delicate material is much easier with the overlocker because its effect is like blanket stitch or overcasting (forgive me if I'm telling what you already know) so any fraying edges can be contained.
Depending on the garment and fabric, sometimes the overlocked edge alone is enough for the hem while at other times, after overlocking, you continue to turn up & sew the hem as normal.
Mine is a 4-thread machine but often I only need to use 3 threads, that is, the upper & lower loopers plus one of the sewing needles. (It depends on the fabric type and whether I'm feeling stingy!)
As previously mentioned, i bought mine after a "taster day" at the local fabric shop and I'd had a really good chance to try the machine. Mine has a good instruction book but i found it made more sense once I'd actually had a go, hands-on. If you are able to do this, I'd recommend it. -
Message 5
Posted by celia66 (U14904228) on Tuesday, 30th August 2011
Information, please. I thought I was an experienced sewer and machinist. What is the difference between zigzagging a seam and 'overlocking' it?
Thanks -
Message 6
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Tuesday, 30th August 2011
I wonder if this would get even more responses in the Bull?
(Unless you set up an Overlockers Club, of course!) -
Message 7
Posted by Myfourpennorth (U14832426) on Tuesday, 30th August 2011
Information, please. I thought I was an experienced sewer and machinist. What is the difference between zigzagging a seam and 'overlocking' it?
°Õ³ó²¹²Ô°ì²õÌý An overlocker (or serger) uses 4 or 3 spools of thread to produce the kind of finish you will see inside a T shirt,for instance, where the two pieces are joined by a straight seam and also by the "blanket stitch" over the edges. The overlocker does this all together so it can be quicker and most T shirts etc. are made with only overlocked seams.
As mentioned earlier, an overlocked hem can be used on very delicate fabric where a traditional turn-up hem would be too weighty or too fragile to handle easily.
With stretch fabric, eg for leotards, the overlocked seam is more secure than a single "ordinary" seam. For leotards I also use a zig-zag stitch to fasten the seams and then the overlocker to hold and neaten them because dancers & gymnasts move around a bit! -
Message 8
Posted by Babs (U12089863) on Tuesday, 30th August 2011
I wonder if this would get even more responses in the Bull?
(Unless you set up an Overlockers Club, of course!) Ìý
Is it possible to get discussion threads moved? I've had a look round for Tayler's email addy, but no joy; I was going to ask her if she can remove this to The Bull.
Thanks for all your replies, folks. I now know more about overlockers than I did previously.
Which was zilch. -
Message 9
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Tuesday, 30th August 2011
Her address is taylerarchershost@gmail.com, but she's been on holiday until the 30th.
If you wanted to start another thread in TB, I don't think anyone would mind, but maybe you have learned enough for the minute?
When I did a lot of sewing, I quite fancied having an overlocker, especially for finishing stretch fabrics. -
Message 10
Posted by Redbookish (U1335018) on Wednesday, 31st August 2011
I do quite a lot of sewing, at a relatively advanced level for a self-taught sewist, including a fair bit of tailoring. I bought an overlocker a few years ago and love it. But I couldn't and wouldn't do *all* my sewing with just an overlocker.
I use my overlocker mainly for finishing the edges of seams and sometimes for doing a machine rolled hem, and occasionally for sewing stretch fabrics and simple seams in linings of clothes.
I tend to cut out, then finish all the raw edges with my overlocker, and then use my standard machine to make up the garment. I find that seams sewn with anoverlocker don't have sufficient crispness of definition for my taste, but I'm generally sewing with cotton, linen, or wool. I don't tend to sew much polyester or other synthetics, but IME when I do sew these, an overlocker is OK.
The thing about an overlocker is that you cannot unpick the seams easily or cleanly, so you need to be sewing fairly simple things if it's the only machine you'll be using. But I find the combination of both overlocker and ordinary machine to be ideal-- you get a lovely neat edge, particularly if you keep the cutting blade quite sharp.
I have a 4 thread overlocker, with the ability to run it as a 3 thread and also to disengage the knife. I bought it at Jonny LouLou's and had a good go of it before I purchased.
I wouldn't say it's essential, but it's a really useful addition to my sewing kit. -
Message 11
Posted by Myfourpennorth (U14832426) on Wednesday, 31st August 2011
Redbookish has just said what I meant to add about unpicking, only much more clearly. (Thanks Rb.)
-
Message 12
Posted by Babs (U12089863) on Wednesday, 31st August 2011
Thanks for your advice, peeps - it's all been really helpful. I'll have a look around for a reasonably priced machine. One of my sewing machines has a zigzag facility, but I can't say I've ever found it to be really satisfactory.
If anyone has a particular favourite machine they can recommend, do let me know!
Thanks.
B
xx -
Message 13
Posted by celia66 (U14904228) on Monday, 5th September 2011
Thankyou, that makes total sense. ( I didn't realise such machines were readily available to the 'public'.)
I'm so Olde Worlde I don't really take to synthetic fabrics (yet). -
Message 14
Posted by celia66 (U14904228) on Monday, 5th September 2011
I wonder if this would get even more responses in the Bull?
Ìý Come-to-think of it, it is quite disturbing that this (mild mannered) initial enquiry is so filed. -
Message 15
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Monday, 5th September 2011
Why, Celia?
-
Message 16
Posted by Babs (U12089863) on Monday, 5th September 2011
Haven't got my overlocker yet. I found a great place online that has a good selection of machines and their shop isn't all that far from me, so I'll take a trip up and have a look at them In The Flesh, as it were.
Red, if it's not being too nosey - where do you get your fabrics from? Have been looking around for either a fine linen or a cotton lawn (nightwear quality) - there isn't a lot online (and I wouldn't buy something without being able to scrunch at it first anyway).
Cheers
B
xx -
Message 17
Posted by Redbookish (U1335018) on Monday, 5th September 2011
Fabrics: I travel a lot, and pretty much always add in a bit of a fabric hunt. So I have a favouritre shop in Washington DC, and get completely in a consumer daze around 37th street in New York. THat is bliss. THe beautiful stuff I have from various shops in New York ... And Fantasy Fabrics in Surrey HIlls (Sydney) was a mainstay.
But my mainstays are Abakhans in Manchester (I love the idea of fabric by weight!!) -- they're good for linen -- , a couple of stands on Preston market on Saturdays, one of which is also at Galgate market on THursdays, a couple of stands on the open air market in Birmingham on Saturdays (one guy always shows me the expensive stuff he has there -- wool & cashmere at £10 a metre is "expensive" on that stall!), plus one on the Covered market, on the same aisle as one of the best haberdashery stands I've ever found. Also the Fancy Silk Store in Digbeth. Also Fabrix in Lancaster. And Fred Winters in Stratford. Also the market in Leeds. Funnily enough, I've never found a good poking-about bargainous fabric shop in Edinburgh ... that city however, has been rich & brilliant for affordable antiquarian books for me. Leicester market has a couple of good fabric stands as well -- I have some gorgeous cashmere from there, but I gulped at £15 a metre!
In London, Berwick street is a haunt, and John Lewis. Libertys used to be great for the sales & bargain hunting but they only stock Liberty print now (mostly bor-ing).
I don't go out of my way to go to any of these shops, but if I'm somewhere for work I do try to do a detour. But the other thing is, I know my fabrics pretty well. Most of the places I shop at rarely have proper information about the fabric mix, but I am pretty shameless about asking about fabric make up. THe Preston stall holders recognise me as "the lady who likes good wools" for example! If they're buying from factories, they're usually pretty canny about the fabric & its quality.
I rarely pay more than £10 a metre, and generally get very good value by knowing my fabrics. Not recommended if you don't know about fabric and how it will behave when made up, though. -
Message 18
Posted by Babs (U12089863) on Monday, 5th September 2011
Cheers! I'll have a look again at Abakhan - we have one locally, but when I looked online they only had a rayon "linen" which wasn't at all what I wanted.
-
Message 19
Posted by celia66 (U14904228) on Monday, 5th September 2011
I suppose it depends upon your relationship with your overlocking.
-
Message 20
Posted by Glorybal-MUSTARDLAND FOREVER (U7278111) on Tuesday, 6th September 2011
Shop (i've never been) in Henbden Bridge.
Good mail-order service and lots of cottons and polycottons.
Redbookish - would you be willing to post the name of the store in DC? I go there most years so would be interested. (Have you been out to G Street Fabrics in Rockville,MD?) -
Message 21
Posted by Redbookish (U1335018) on Tuesday, 6th September 2011
Glorybal, what a wonderful shop in Hebden B! On my list next time I'm travelling between Lancaster & Leeds. Oh you tempter!
In DC it's Exquisite Fabrics. Used to be in the new Downtown area on K street, but now moved to Georgetown on M Street. I bought some beautiful ex-Marc Jacobs powder blue wool in a sale there a couple of years ago, which is now my winter coat. Didn't buy anything this year on my most recent trip, but I was travelling (deliberately) with a small suitcase & I do have an attic full of fabric (my stash is actually embarassingly huge) so am trying to exercise moderation ... -
Message 22
Posted by Redbookish (U1335018) on Tuesday, 6th September 2011
Just loking more at Glorybal's link. OMG -- quality & bargainous. You s*d. < grin >
There's also Whaleys, in Bradford (not been there) and Bombay Stores where I have been -- a huge almost overwhelming cavernous shop. Wonderful!
Here's the DC link: -
Message 23
Posted by Babs (U12089863) on Tuesday, 6th September 2011
Shop (i've never been) in Henbden Bridge.
Good mail-order service and lots of cottons and polycottons.
Redbookish - would you be willing to post the name of the store in DC? I go there most years so would be interested. (Have you been out to G Street Fabrics in Rockville,MD?)Ìý Oh, fabulous! Thanks, Glorybal - what a Naladdin's cave! I rather like the Mrs Bouquet fabrics on the right of the page (although they wouldn't do for me...)
Well, I went to the local sewing centre to take my machine in for a service.
And came out with a Noverlocker - a Frister & Rossman machine which works with 2, 3 or 4 threads. I think it'll do for me. Have it on the table and we're getting to know each other - I think it's realised my inner impatience....
Now wondering why I didn't get one yonks ago. Thanks for all your help, folks, I may well be back.... -
Message 24
This posting has been hidden during moderation because it broke the in some way.
-
Message 25
Posted by Myfourpennorth (U14832426) on Wednesday, 7th September 2011
I've just discovered my post was removed - presumably because I included a couple of links to fabric websites. Seems a bit odd when other links have been accepted but there you go, who can fathom the ways of the mods?
Anyway, Miss Babs, I hope you enjoy many happy hours sewing & overlocking! -
Message 26
Posted by Babs (U12089863) on Wednesday, 7th September 2011
Oh...I'm disappointed now. I thought it had been pulled for a variety of abusive and interesting comments!
I love my new toy - have cut off the hook tape and overcast the top edge of a pair of veeeeeeeeeeeeery large curtains which I made over 20 years ago. They've been taken down in favour of some new ones, but I was undecided what to do with the old ones. Now I have two large sheets of damask and two large sheets of cotton lining, which have been washed for the first time (too large to go in the washer beforehand). Cutting and overcasting done in one switft movement on the new machine.
I then made a nice red velvet box cushion for one of the cats (don't ask....she looks like a right princess on it....) so I've had plenty of time to get used to it. Used up all the thread supplied, so bought some new large cones this morning.
I bought some lovely lawn fabby from the place that Glorybal posted (has that posting been pulled, I wonder?) so will make my nightdress and jacket when it arrives.
I don't know if you're on Faithspook, Myfourpennorth, but if you are, you could send the modded links there. -
Message 27
Posted by Myfourpennorth (U14832426) on Wednesday, 7th September 2011
It's the first time I've had a post removed in the shame-making number of years I've been lurking & posting in here so that's something to "celebrate", isn't it!
Delighted to hear you're having fun with your new machine, long may it continue. I found that getting the overlocker made me more confident with my "ordinary" sewing machine and using the two has enabled me to try projects I might not have done otherwise.
About this Board
Welcome to the Archers Messageboard.
or Ìýto take part in a discussion.
The message board is currently closed for posting.
This messageboard is now closed.
This messageboard is .
Find out more about this board's
Search this Board
Ö÷²¥´óÐã iD
Ö÷²¥´óÐã navigation
Ö÷²¥´óÐã links
Ö÷²¥´óÐã © 2014 The Ö÷²¥´óÐã is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.