Overlock sewing machines

A sewing machine with an overlock is a kind of compromise version of home equipment, which allows for a more beautiful and accurate overcasting of the edges of the fabric. An additional function allows you to do without the purchase of additional and rather bulky equipment. But before you choose a car with an imitation of an overlock seam for the home, you should weigh all the pros and cons. After all, such equipment is still not able to completely replace the overcasting equipment. Let's figure out how to choose a car with an overlock function for the home.

Understanding what an overlock is in a sewing machine is quite simple. This is just an additional type of seam, with which you can modify the usual zigzag, get rid of the contraction of the edges of matter. A rather simple function is good in that it allows you to quickly and efficiently overcast the edge without resorting to the use of additional devices. You only have to change the foot and properly fill the fabric. The ranking of the best models will also help you figure out and make a decision on your choice, with which you can easily navigate the best offers on the sewing equipment market.

Sewing machines capable of overlock stitching usually come with a special presser element, the presser foot. It differs in design from typical products, and prevents the folding of the edges of the material during processing. In addition, the “2 in 1” machine should support the function of overlock sewing. In its absence, even the presence of a foot will not force the technique to form a smooth and neat hem.

Simulated overlock stitch can be open - It is used for sewing and edge processing of elastic materials, edge trimming. Such a line is designated by a one-sided “herringbone”. The imitation of a closed overlock seam has straight lines at the edges, inside which there is a marking - this can be seen even by the way the icon in the machine menu looks. The purpose of this line is to cut thick fabrics like a jersey.

Of course, a full-fledged overlock in a sewing machine is not provided for by its design. Moreover, even the type of stitch is different. At the machine, it is shuttle, and at the overlock, it is obmetnoe, consisting of 2, 3, 4 or 5 threads. In fact, edge processing still remains zigzag, although it has a different name.

Among the obvious advantages of using overlock sewing machines, The following can be noted.

1. A noticeable simplification of the processing of edges on knitwear, delicate materials.
2. The presence of a guide that prevents twisting or pulling the edge.
3. Ability to sew exactly along the cut.
4. Ease of replacement. You can use the foot as needed.
5. Quick adaptation - no complicated settings needed.
6. The presence of a guide, ensuring the preservation of the line in the given geometric parameters.
7. High quality decorative stitching. It can be used if it is provided for by a model of clothing or another product.
8. An opportunity to make better secret folding of a cut.

It would seem, why do we need an overlock if the machine can cope with all these functions when working in overcasting mode. In fact, such a line should be considered exclusively as an element of decorative decoration. It, in contrast to the overlock seam, does not carry a functional load. With a strong tension of the fabric, the threads will burst.

Decorative imitation of an overlock stitch does not protect the edge from falling in its open design. If you need to prevent this problem, you should make sure that you can make a closed seam. Trimming excess tissue will also have to be done manually. Another noticeable minus: to perform an overlock seam, one foot is not enough - the machine must support this function.

Sewing machines with integrated overlock can belong to different classes and types of equipment. The simplest division is by appointment.

• Household. They have a shuttle type of stitch formation, and any overcast stitches are zigzag. Even models with overlock seam function only imitate it. They are mechanical, electromechanical, can sweep loops in semi-automatic mode.

• Professional. They have a computer control module, capable of performing several hundred operations, including overcasting seams of varying complexity. The line can be more complex, decorative, “with an eye”, loops are formed automatically. This is the optimal solution for thread sewing a variety of products or inelastic materials.

• Industrial. This is a highly specialized category of equipment focused on in-line execution of 1 type of operations. With shuttle stitch, overlock stitching is only found on zigzag machines.

• Coverlocks. They combine the functions of an overlock, a flat-seam machine and create a full-fledged elastic stitch not only along the edge of the fabric, but also on any part of the canvas or product. The optimal solution for those who constantly work with knitwear. These machines carry chain, not shuttle stitch.

It is not difficult to understand which sewing machines with an overlock (the function of decorative edge marking) are considered the best if you pay attention to user reviews.Among the popular and popular options you can find equipment for every taste - with an electromechanical design, electronic, computer control.

Overlock machines are presented in this category. capable of easily replacing many other devices.

• AstraLux 7350 Pro. Powerful and reliable equipment for professionals in the field of cutting and sewing. This machine performs up to 500 types of stitches, adapted to work with knitted and elastic materials. The model is suitable for sharpening complex fur or lace trim, decorative hem hem.

• Bernina B 750 QE. A model with expandable functionality, can be connected to a PC for additional downloading of programs and applications. A total of 330 operations are available, of which 11 types of loops. Allows you to create different imitation overlock lines, program control eliminates the likelihood of error.

Here are sewing machines with the function of overlock sewing, equipped with an electronic microprocessor. The following models are among the leaders of the rating.

• Janome Exact Quilt 60. One of the best cars in its class. Includes a liquid crystal information display. Suitable not only for sewing on straight and overlock finishes, but also for embroidery, patchwork, quilting. A good compromise for seamstresses with average experience.

• Brother SM-340 E. A popular model with automatic execution of all operations. A simple and convenient solution for all lovers of cutting and sewing. The model is designed to perform 40 basic operations, including overcasting a seam similar to overlock. It features quiet operation of mechanisms at high power.

• Janome DC 4030. Universal machine for amateurs and professionals. Suitable even for tailoring complex products, equipped with an information display, there are 30 operations available. Includes overlock foot, necessary when the machine is in overcast mode.

These machines are rarely able to perform more than 20 operations, as close as possible to their classic versions. Among those models that can perform an overlock seam, the most popular are those.

• Brother LS-2125. Basic model for beginners. It supports 14 types of different operations, loops are swept out in a semi-automatic mode. The overlock seam is neat, but does not save material from shedding around the edge.

• Janome JK 220 S. Machine for enthusiastic seamstresses. There are 23 operations, there is an imitation of an overlock seam, an overcasting foot is already in the base.

• Aurora 7050. A reliable electromechanical machine supporting the implementation of an overlock seam. Suitable for working with materials of different types and densities. The best choice if you need to get a universal tool for home sewing.

When choosing sewing equipment for the home, you must definitely decide on the functional equipment of the equipment. Machines with an overlock are suitable for beginners and allow you to master the basic operations of marking the edges of the product without pulling and crushing them. Besides, this technique for home use is indispensable when sewing elastic materials.

Among the main criteria for choosing a sewing machine with an overlock can be noted such.

• Functionality If you need not just a basic device that can make straight or zigzag stitches, but a full-fledged machine for darning, embroidering, sewing, hemming, you should immediately give preference to a model that is capable of performing all these operations. As a rule, the overlock foot in this technique is already included in the package, and you do not need to buy it separately or look for an adapter.

• Power. It directly affects not only the sewing speed, but also the possibility of a needle breaking through thick or multilayer fabrics. Most household appliances are adapted to work with thin and medium-density materials. They have a slight rise in the foot, not enough power for flashing a drape, felt or jeans. Whereas it is precisely these tissues that most often require the overlock hemming of the edges.

• Manufacturer. There is a list of brands trusted by both amateurs and professionals - these are Singer, Janome, Minerva, Pfaff, Husqvarna, Brother. It is easy to pick up accessories and components to them, find parts in case of breakage. Overlock machines are also produced by little-known companies. But in the event of their breakdown, it can be quite difficult to find a service center, and components can have non-standard sizes.

• Type of machine. Professional equipment with imitation overlock seam is unreasonably expensive for domestic use. It will be much easier to immediately select the appropriate household variety. It can be electromechanical, computer controlled or embroidery. Optimally, if a device immediately imitates a device that simulates an overlock knife for trimming matter.

• Volume of work. If we are talking about full-fledged work on a continuous basis - tailoring to order, the manufacture of knitted products, it is better to immediately abandon the idea of ​​buying a machine with an overlock and choose a full-fledged overcasting equipment. It is its capabilities that are enough to ensure the creation of elastic stitches of the desired strength.

In order for the machine to start overcasting the seam with overlock stitch, and not just make a regular zig-zag, you need to correctly tuck the foot into the mount. The plate should be located so that under it there is an edge that needs to be protected from twisting. Next, check whether the needle hits the presser foot, whether free play is maintained.

The standard parameters of the line in the typewriter are “zigzag” or “overlock” - they are set manually or set by the program. The thread tension indicators should be in the range of 1-4, the stitch width is from 4 to 6 mm, the length is 1-2 mm. After that, you can lay the material on the working surface of the machine so that its edge abuts against the bounding plate, and begin to lay down. It is important to take into account that after edge marking, it is necessary to fix the result with a straight line at the base of the overlock seam.

Overview of the sewing machine with overlock Michley LSS FHSM 505 in the video.