how to use an overlocker course

Curriculum of how to use an overlocker course

• Understand your overlocker
• Maintain your overlocker
• How to thread an overlocker
• Master the thread tension
• Understand the differential feed and what it will do
• Use your overlocker to neaten edges
• How to finish seams
• Sew rolled hems
• Learn tips for navigating around curves

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Full Answer

What is an overlocker and why do I need one?

If you're into sewing it's worth finding out what an overlocker is and how it can make your sewing projects more enjoyable. Firstly it can help speed your sewing up and, let's face it, if you have the sewing bug this can only be a good thing since it will allow you to sew more and more projects in the time you have available.

Do I need to follow along with my own overlocker sewing course?

This is the only overlocker sewing course you will ever need! Click on any lesson marked “SAMPLE LESSON” to preview the study mode… You do not need to follow along with your own overlocker in this class but it would certainly help.

Do my overlockers need to be threaded?

Overlockers must be threaded and working before the workshop starts. Please contact us before booking if you need help with this. Unfortunately overlockers do sometimes become unthreaded or have problems. We will do our best to resolve this during the session but we cannot delay the session.

Can I delay the session if my overlocker becomes unthreaded?

Unfortunately overlockers do sometimes become unthreaded or have problems. We will do our best to resolve this during the session but we cannot delay the session. The course information is an outline.

How do you use an overlocker for beginners?

2:1024:33You can use them to finish seams. So instead of using an over casting stitch on your sewing. MachineMoreYou can use them to finish seams. So instead of using an over casting stitch on your sewing. Machine. You can use your overlocker. And it look produces a much neater more professional-looking stitch.

Can you use an overlocker as a normal sewing machine?

What Does an Overlocker Do? An overlocker does not replace a sewing machine. Its primary function is to clean finish a raw edge, giving the project a professional appearance.

Can I just use an overlocker?

Although you can create knit garments on a sewing machine, you can also make them using an overlocker. However, I've often heard people say they only use their overlocker for finishing seams.

What is an overlocker used for and how does it do this?

Overlockers are used to stitch around the edge of all fabric panels in clothes making, providing a nice clean straight edge, and it also helps to avoid any fraying of the fabric.

Should you overlock before or after sewing?

Some seams or fabrics benefit from being pressed open after being sewn in order to reduce bulk. In these cases, overlocking raw edges before construction may be the best bet. There may be patterns that require extra attention to fit and detail where you prefer to baste seams before committing to a particular fit.

Is it worth getting an overlocker?

Long answer: No, you don't need an overlocker, but it gives a more professional finish to many clothes. If you make clothes that you plan to sell, then I would say it is essential! An overlocker creates a stitch that trims and wraps the raw edges of your project and can sew a seam at the same time.

What can you do on an overlocker?

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.More items...•

Can you hem on an overlocker?

Most overlockers can sew a rolled hem stitch. The rolled hem stitch is sewn using either two or three threads, depending on your model – be sure check your instruction manual first. Rolled Hemming is suitable for light weight fabrics such as voile, organdy, crepe etc.

What is the difference between overlock and serger?

A serger and an overlocker are different names for the same machine. Americans generally refer to these as sergers, and nearly everyone else refers to them as overlockers. A serger performs an overlocking stitch, which is really more like knitting than sewing.

Is an overlocker better than a sewing machine?

Because it is specialised for this task, it does a better, faster & more professional job than a regular sewing machine. An overlocker can also trim your seam allowance while sewing. This makes sewing jersey much easier, for example, as you can sew and neaten at the same time.

What is the best overlocker for a beginner?

4 Best Cheap Overlockers for BeginnersBrother 3034dwt.Brother 2104d.Brother m343d.Elna 664.

What are some important safety requirements when using the overlocker?

The overlocker has a cutting blade that trims the edges of the fabric as it sews. Keep your fingers away from the blade to avoid cutting yourself. Make sure you close both the side and looper covers while overlocking. The covers should only be opened while threading or cleaning.

Where to write numbers on overlocker?

Some good tips include writing numbers 1-4 on the top of the overlocker next to where the threads pass through for each needle and looper to denote the order you need to thread in. Also tweezers will be your new best friend and are handy for picking up threads in awkward places your fingers can't reach.

Why do you have to switch off the blade on an overlocker?

Most overlockers will give you the option to switch the blade off so that the edges of the fabric are not cut or trimmed as you overlock, for example when stitching on a fold.

How many needles are needed for overlocker?

Overlockers have two needles, although you don't always need to use both needles depending on the stitch you require (more on this later). We recommend using overlocker needles and have a range available with detailed descriptions on which overlockers they are compatible with for quick and easy reference.

Can you use rolled hems on overlockers?

Many overlockers will also have a rolled hem option (more on rolled hems in our clever tricks article) as shown in the picture below. You can also vary the stitch length for a rolled hem, however, for most fabrics you would want to use stitch length 1 if you want a narrow decorative finish known as a satin stitch.

Do overlockers need tension?

Some overlockers will require you to set the tension for the needles and loopers and will have a standard tension setting, which you can use as a starting point, however, you will need to adjust the tension to suit different fabrics.

Can you thread Babylock overlockers?

There is one way to avoid all of this though, oh yes it's true! Babylock overlockers can be threaded in any order plus if one of the looper threads breaks you simply replace that thread rather than unthreading everything and starting again as is the case with other overlockers.