Overlock Sewing Machines

Overlock sewing machines are also called Serger sewing machines. If you are thinking about buying one, or trying to decide if you need to buy one, here are some tips to help you. 

When many of us were younger these types of machines were not available for purchase to use in our homes, so many of us are not experienced with them if we were not professional seamstresses. 

Overlock sewing machines will trim, stitch, and overcast seams as they sew.  They are also much faster than regular sewing machines and create the finished seems that you see in many other ready-made garments such as on sweatshirts and T-shirts. 

One of the best things about this sewing machine is that it will trim the seam and close the seam or edge of the fabric inside a thread casing all in one step. 

If you do buy one, one of the main buying factors is the width and the density of the stitching that you want. Most cheaper overlock sewing machines do not have these options, more expensive ones do. 

2–4 thread machine can create a true safety stitch, and is best for finishing seam edges. The two threads can be used on each operation and you can use the machine to create each stitch separately 

3-4 thread machines function with three or four threads. Obviously four thread seams will give you a much wider and stronger seam.  These are good for sewing knits. The 4 thread overlock machine is also good for material that will receive stress. 

Some allow you to change the throat plate which gives you the ability to create a rolled hem. To create a role on the machine, it simply rolls the edge of the fabric to the underside and closes the edge with the thread. 

A five thread machine is very expensive, but it also has all the seen capabilities that you could want. Three of the threads are often used to create an overlocked edge, and two are used for a straight seam line. 

Obviously the more feeds that you have on your machine the more options you have if you’re working with knits.  

Reviews of Overlock Sewing Machines 

Brother 1034D 3/4 Lay-In Thread Serger 

You can find this machine for around $230. This is a nice machine because it has 22 built-in stitches and interchangeable feat. You can do narrow hemming, rolled hemming and ribbon lock. It is very easy to thread this machine, and there is also a pedal for speed speed control. It can also use standard sewing machine needles and comes with many accessories. 

Overlock Sewing Machine - Singer 14SH654 

This machine starts around $200 and gives you quick and easy capability to make rolled or narrowed hems, and even decorative stitch patterns are possible. If you’re a first time user of an overlock sewing machine, this is a great choice. 

Juki 2-Needle, 2/3/4-Thread Overlock 

This is one of the top-of-the-line models, and they start around $900. These have an automatic needle threader, and adjustable differential speed, multipurpose presser foot, four tape ribbon. This machine can handle all types of fabric’s even the ones that are difficult to feed.