Previously, beautifully crafted seams could only be made at a garment factory or atelier. At home, seamstresses could only sheathe the edges with a zigzag or hem. Now, thanks to the latest technology, you can purchase an overlock for the home. If the sewing machine can only do shuttle stitch, then the overlock with the help of loopers and needles forms various chain stitches. But to work with it will require some skill and a lot of spools of thread.
In the case when a person is not engaged in professional sewing, it makes no sense to buy an overlock. It is enough to purchase an overlock foot. It is suitable for many types of machines, both domestic and imported. Buying an overlock, you will need to lay out a tidy sum, even more than for the machine. When buying a foot for overcasting, the costs will be minimal. Learning to use this device is quite simple. What does an overlock foot look like?
Which car is better to get?
If you decide to purchase a sewing machine, and buying an overlock is not included in your plans, then be sure to stop your choice on a device with an overlock foot. It is also called an overlock machine. In the kit there is at least one foot for overcasting. The higher the discharge of the sewing machine, the more additional accessories go to it.
But if you do not have enough money for a cool car, then do not be discouraged. Then you can always buy other paws. It's not a problem. In specialized stores of sewing equipment or on the Internet, you can order any foot you need. If the purchased device already has devices for several sewing stitches, then in the near future you can safely do without an overlock.
How does the overlock foot work?
The special foot has a shaft and a spring plate. The plate presses the edge of the cut fabric to the foot and allows you to overcast it right along the edge. The core holds the thread, which at each step of the stitch slides from it, while the fabric does not tighten.
With the help of the foot, the overlock seam will be beautiful and neat. Stitches will be sewn along the edge of the fabric. By increasing or decreasing the tension of the upper thread, it is possible to achieve that the threads will weave closer to the edge of the cut material. Each seamstress by trial and error will be able to set the tension in the right position, especially since having a foot with a rod, this is not difficult. The seam will look like a real overlock. But for it to serve for a long time, you must always duplicate it, making just a straight line next to it.
Sewing
Before starting overcasting using the overlock foot, you need to sew the details of the future product and carefully trim the remaining allowance for the seam. Scissors need to cut the desired width and protruding threads. After that, set the foot on the machine. In modern units, it is no longer necessary to unscrew the screw holding it. To do this, just lower the lever located at the back. We take out the unnecessary foot at the moment and insert the overlock foot.
A click should be heard, and after that you need to raise the foot lever up. With proper installation, the sole of the foot will also rise up. After installing the foot, you need to put material under it, while the limiter will control the specified direction of movement of the fabric. Then the sewing stitch is sewn.
Tips for overcasting different fabrics
1. Overcast stitching, suitable for dense fabrics or sections of the product where reinforcement of the seam is needed and most similar to overlock stitching, requires several stitches. In this case, the stitched fabric must be fed back and forth.
2. When sewing, the fabric does not need to be pulled forward, it must itself move automatically, otherwise unwanted folds will occur.
3. If you work with a thin fabric, for example, chiffon, then the material can be folded into a steering wheel. After processing, a wavy sloppy edge will remain. To avoid this, you need to wipe the edges of the material with a starch solution, then iron the iron through any cotton cloth. After that, calmly sew and overcast the edges, they will keep their shape and do not fold. Without any effort, the seam will lie flat.
4. For delicate fabrics, it is advisable to use threads that make decorative embroidery. For colored materials, you can take not only threads of the same color, but also suitable in tone.
How to choose a foot for overcasting fabrics?
Previously, sewing machines for overcasting used a zigzag stitch, but when tensioning the fabric, it could burst in several places. When sewing on an overlock, the product stretches easily in all directions, and the seams do not diverge. The presence of an overlock foot in modern machines contributes to the similarity of the seam to a double-thread overlock. True, he will not be able to withstand strong tension.
Since overlock paws come in different shapes, it’s best to have any kind of paw from your car when you buy. Then you can compare the mounts and measure the height of the legs. You can also select these elements based on the name of the manufacturer of the machine.
A convenient option would be to buy a universal overlock foot. She becomes on most types of sewing units, and also makes a decorative finish on the edges of the product. At the same time, it makes reciprocating movements. The line is dense and beautiful.
Different types of paws
When buying a machine in a set, several paws are given to it. These are the basic necessary to perform the most simple device operations. For example, a foot for sewing on a snake, universal, making the line “zigzag” (one of the most popular feet among seamstresses), semi-automatic, for sewing buttonholes. In a set of expensive cars there are an order of magnitude more, from 10 to 15 pieces.
In addition to the standard legs that are sold with the sewing machine, you can buy separately a whole set of 32 pieces. Most of them are metal, but there are also combined ones, consisting of plastic and metal, as well as Teflon. A description of some products from the sewing machine foot set is provided below:
- for working with curly lines. Thanks to her, they sew beads, it turns out neatly and evenly;
- for cutting fabrics (2 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm);
- for sewing snakes (universal);
- for the formation of elongated loops on the product;
- for sewing buttons, but only flat;
- for sewing on one or more ropes;
- making assemblies on matter, attaching a ribbon with such an effect;
- for figured embroidery;
- for sweeping parts (makes a curly stitch);
- for the line of edging;
- for an invisible snake;
- to hide seams in bulk fabrics;
- roller. Used in leather and knitwear. Special round rollers help the foot move freely along the material;
- Teflon glides easily on the skin, suede, nubuck, velvet;
- for machine art embroidery of drawings;
- for overcasting the fabric, only with a brush that instantly cleans the dust generated during the overcasting.
Edge trimmer
There is another foot for the machine, which you must have in the kit, namely, an overlock foot with a knife. When overcasting the edge of the fabric, a side knife gently cuts off excess tissue. The process takes place at the same time, the tissue does not contract. The structure of this element includes a wide sole, a hook and 2 knives. The hook is responsible for the consistency of the needle and the upper knife. The knife below is rigidly fixed to the sole of the foot.
Before starting work, you need to prepare the material for the overlay. For this part of the product must be fastened with pins across the drawn line of the future overlock seam. Using the universal foot, a straight stitch is made. After that, the part changes to another, overlock with a knife. To install it correctly, you need to put the hook on the needle holder. Only then will the synchronized operation of the foot and needle holder. If the foot is improperly set, the fabric will not be cut.
Principle of operation
Unlike a regular sewing foot, which, when sewing the edge with a zigzag, leaves snags, squeezes and an uneven stitch, the overlock foot does not entangle the threads and does not chew the material. This is due to the presence of a tooth in the middle of the slot for the needle, on which several stitches are laid in a row while sewing. A seam is formed around it and the edges of the material. Thus, the matter is not pulled together, and the line is neat.
Pros and cons of this foot
By buying an overlock foot, any craftswoman can save a lot. A real overlock is expensive, and dealing with its connection and a huge variety of seams is also not easy. Having two devices instead of one sewing machine, it will be necessary to allocate a lot of working surface for this technique. In preparation for work, a lot of time is spent on threading. When using the foot all this does not need to be done.
The disadvantages of working with the foot can be called the fact that over time, the seam will begin to crumble, unlike overlocked. Yes, and the edge you need to cut yourself or change the nozzle on the foot with a knife. The seam is designed for a quiet sock, as it is not very strong and can crack when stretched.
So decide for yourself what is more profitable for you to purchase and use in further work.