An overlock sewing machine is a handy tool to have in the right hands. Unlike a straight-line sewing machine, an overlock has several tabs and sliders that can be shifted and adjusted to create different shapes, areas, and textures.
This versatile feature makes it much easier to finish your projects! While most professionals use overlock machines for fashions and accents, there are many people who use the slots and tabs on an overlock machine to create a custom product.
And while it may not seem like it on the outside, having a custom product on yourhands can be incredibly exciting. As you hold it in your hands for the first time, you think, This feels special and durable. I know how well it will hold up my project!
There are many types of crafts that require using an overlock machine, including vinyl cutting, embroidery,rice decoration,and flame painting.
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Different types of overlock machines
There are three main types of overlock machines: serger, jean jacketed, and knitter. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Serger machines can use two or even three different kinds of threads to sew. These include articulated thread, machine thread, and flesh-tone thread.
The serger machine used to be the only type of overlock machine you could use. However, newer sergers have added features that some users do not need. Some users find that they need those features to fully utilize the machine, but some do not want to purchase them.
Jacketed Overlock Machines are similar to regular overla-ck machines, but have been painted with a special material that is resistant to being depressed by a needle on top of it. This prevents any pinching or breaking of the material during sewing.
This type of machine can usually only be used for flat objects like cloth or paper work such as traced outlines.
What is a serger?
A serger is a special sewing machine that can be used as a twin needle serger. A twin needle serger has two sets of needles that it can use to sew with. These machines are very powerful and useful!
A twin needle serger has two parallel fabric strands that it can use to sew with. The top strand is a thin layer of fabric that is placed on a heavy metal frame, which holds the second fabric strand together.
The twin needle system makes this machine powerful as it can use either right or left sides of the material. This capability makes this machine great for lots of different projects, from an easy quick fix to a more serious piece.
There are many ways to buy an overlock sewing machine. You can go online, you can go to a store, or you can be smart and get one directly from the manufacturer. There are also sellers on eBay and Amazon, making them more affordable than a store purchased product.
Differences between overlock and serger machines
These terms are not easy to define. Overlock and serger machines have different components, screens, settings, and features.
Overlock machines feature a set of grooves on the needle that correspond to the fabric direction. The grooves in the needle join several pieces of fabric into a single piece that is stitched together.
The finest of these needles is used for overlocking, while the larger ones are used for serging.
Both overlocking and serging require a different size disk or spacer than those on an ordinary sewing machine. Because of this, there is an additional tool required for each type of machine.
There are many online resources dedicated to working with an overlock or a serger, so we will not go into extensive detail here.[|endoftext|]).
Know your fabric
a fabric is a material that is used to make something. Depending on the type of fabric you use, you can change that!
Mostly, fabrics are categorized by the weave or texture. There are smooth, velvety fabrics, wacky looking fabrics, and yeah, even rubberized ones.
But the most notable ones are those with subtle patterns or textures. If a fabric has a soft padded surface, for example, you can sew onto that surface!
There are several types of overlock sewing machines. They all have similar features, but they all have different needs and users. User reviews are key in knowing which machine you need!
bullet point According to the manufacturer, this machine can do an average of four projects per charge. For an experienced user only! Also, this machine does not have an LCD display so it is hard to tell how much material is used.
Know your needle
An embroidere is a special sewing machine that can be used for numerous types of fabrics. These machines can be hooked up to a computer or smartphone app to create and download new patterns!
Most overlock sew machines have a #5 needle that is sized larger than a standard needle. This #5 needle is used for more dense materials such as thick wool or leather.
Because of this difference in size needle, an incorrectly sized piece of fabric may look like it is going to come out perfectly, but it will eventually come apart. The #5 needle cannot be used as a regular straight (normal) needle would.
Instead, the user will need to use a separate tool called a dibber which has the same size #5 needle on it.
Know your threads
A sewing machine is called an overlock machine if it has two components: a needle and a fabric.
An overlock machine has a fabric step where you pick your thread and location, and then it is cut into strips and evenly bound on the fabric. In order for the piece of fabric to be sewn, you then attach the needle to one of the strips of cloth and pull down in order to secure the strip onto the garment.
Many beginning sewists use an ordinary plain-diamond needle instead of the more precision ones found on overlock machines. The plain-diamond needles are easier to learn on than some other types of needles.
Know your patterns
An embroidery or sewing machine is called an overlock machine if it has two arms that are linked by a mechanism. These two arms can be sewn together in the same way as a long, thin object is sewn onto a larger one.
When you purchase an overlock machine, you should know the patterns that it can create. A quick overview of different patterns can help you choose an overlock machine that is right for you.
There are six basic types of patterns: straight, bias, ruffled, lark-feeling, and raffia. All six of these patterns require a slightly different technique to achieve the same result.
A bias curve requires more back and forth stitching compared to a straight line pattern. An eyelash length pattern requires more stitches to achieve the length of an eyelash. A sashing pattern requires some extra stitching at various points to create a continuous piece of fabric.
Practice makes perfect!
Your overlock sewing machine is not going to do your work for you. You should use it a lot to get good at it!
Many times new users make mistakes because they are not fully practiced in the correct motions. Some of these mistakes include:
changing the tensioning spring when needed;
using the wrong thread color when making a hem; and
adding an edgestone when needed.
To keep your machine fresh and ready for next projects, you may want to take it to a shop to have it checked and adjusted. Some even offer training classes if you are willing to work with it.