"overlock" sewing machines

[cfz2882]

Bought a box of thread cones at a rummage sale for this type of machine-I use these cones for my "regular" sewing machine Wondering what these overlock machines are used for and if anybody here uses one ?

 

[brisnat81]

Are you talking about an overlocker/serger?

I use ours when I’m sewing something that doesn’t need a flat seam and where I don’t want to use bias binding or I want a neater finish than just straight stitching and zigzagging to prevent fraying.

It straight stitches and oversews, trimming off the edge in one pass. Perfect for bedding, tshirts, pullovers etc where you don’t need a delicate or flat seam.

 

[launderess]

Overlock seaming was invented by Merrow Machine Company back in 1800's. To this day many industrial or professional "serger" machines or overlock stitching is called "Merrow".

Overlock stitching either done on a dedicated machine (industrial) or domestic sewing machine sews over two edges of fabric producing a strong seam that also prevents edges from fraying among other things.

True merrow or overlock stitching uses loopers to create stitches. Domestic sewing machines will use some version of a lockstitch which may suffice depending upon what is desired or wanted.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overlock

A serger machine is one with a knife that also cuts edge of fabric while creating seam. Obviously this cannot be done with a domestic home lockstitch machine.



As with nearly every other stich done by machine overlock can (and was long done) by hand. It's tedious work but there you are.



Does average home sewer (or anyone else) actually need a dedicated serger/overlock machine? That is a debatable point.

Going back to 1950's or maybe sometime in 1940's when first European sewing machine makers such as Necchi introduced zig-zag stitching it became possible to finish edges of fabric by "overlocking" simply using a variation of that stitch.

Modern sewing machines since say 1960's or so and certainly today from likes of Singer, Bernina and so forth offer overlock and some other stitches that match what can be done with a dedicated overlock machine to an extent. Things like rolled hems can also be done using sewing machine.



Serger/overlock machines came into their own for domestic sewers with rise of modern stretch/knits, polar fleece and some other fabrics.

T-shirts, undergarments, swim/beach wear.. All sorts of things made from knit fabrics can be sewn entirely with flatlock or cover stitch.

https://www.letsgosew.com/joanne-bankos-blog/fast-flat-serger-t-shirt-and-sewing-machine-tips-too

https://weallsew.com/overlocker-for... stitch that,the stitching and looper threads.

https://www.heirloomcreations.net/what-is-a-coverstitch/

Blind hemming is similar. One can do that work on a sewing machine, by hand or with a dedicated blindstich machine. Depending upon how much of blind hemming one does on routine basis it may not make sense to have a dedicated machine.

 

[launderess]

Here's my baby!

Bernina/Bernette MO-335 serger.

Have had the thing for over a decade and probably only hauled it out several times.

Thing is a royal pain to thread and set up so often find what wants doing can be done on any of my sewing machines that am using already.

 

[cfz2882]

Thanks for responses everyone!

yeah,don't really see a need to add one of these to my fleet of sewing machines-my 1984 Polish made JC Penny Singer clone gets along just fine for the usually simple projects done at the basement workbench Thinking about trying a poofy newsboy cap project soon

 

[gizmo]

I have a 1980s Janome Memory Craft 6000 electronic control sewing machine - a magnificent machine and well ahead of its time. I saved it from the recycle centre, it just needed a little oil.

 

It has some overlocking stitches, though it doesn't trim the edge like a true overlocker.

 

See the link below:

 

cfz2882: "poofy newsboy cap".... The term "poof" is Australian and UK slang for a gay man. "Poofy" = obviously gay, effeminate, typical of gay men..

 

[cfz2882]

WHOOPS-"puffy" might have been a better word for a "baggy" cap, LOL I have one electronic machine: a Singer from 1983-forget the model name-but made in USA and probably one of the last sewing machines made here.

I have one electronic

 

[askolover]

I have a brother server I use mostly when I make scrub tops because it gives a professional look to the seams. Coworkers are amazed to find out I made them instead of buying them.

 

[cfz2882]

Cool about the homemade scrub tops A while back I cranked out a couple S&P chef pants-turned out very niceroperly shaped and properly baggy but clean fitting then ran out of material that I liked. the JC penny sewing machine mentioned that is a fave is a 7057:kind of noisy but has a strong motor.The 1983 singer is a Touchtronic 2010.