Yeah, not a real baby. I bought an overlocker!
You may have heard about Lidl’s offer on Singer overlockers last week – well that’s the one I got. I was thinking about getting one, maybe around Christmas time, but this offer came up, I did a bit of research, it looked good so I thought I’d go for it now!
And it’s great! OK, I’ve barely used it, but at least I know it works.
It was threaded so all I had to do was tie on my new cones of thread and feed the threads through. The threading process is colour-coded and looks pretty straightforward once you know what you’re doing (haha) so hopefully I’ll be OK when the time comes to rethread. Which is now, as it unthreaded itself. I say now, but it’s back in the box until I have the time to read the instructions and do it!
But before it unthreaded itself I did get to play; I overlocked all the edges of my daughter’s new simple A-line dress. Wow, it’s fast!!
I don’t love the look of overlocking; it’s good for fraying etc., and I understand why you’d do it, but I still much prefer the look of enclosed seams. I’m going to try not to be lazy, and still do French seams often!
I have cut out the pieces for a Seamwork Oslo cardigan and my plan is to sew it up on the overlocker. I might change my mind though. I haven’t looked at the instructions yet; it depends how curvy the pattern is too I guess. Watch this space…!
Beth x
Congrats on your new gadget! How much discount did you get for it? I plan to scout for some sewing tools/kits now that there are some shops that offer discounts. I also planned to buy more things in December, but the sale season is already here!
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I think it was about £130 and they’re over £200 elsewhere 🙂 its often sale season nowadays, you’d be silly to buy anything full price!
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Oh sounds fun. I will look forward to seeing how you get on with it.
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Thank you 🙂 it still hasn’t come back out again yet!!
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Portia on Makery.com has a series of tutorials about threading a serger, exactly the one you have. I found them invaluable when I had to re-thread my Singer from Lidl. Good luck! Charlotte x
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Fantastic, thank you Charlotte! 🙂 x
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Very exciting! Can’t wait to hear about your new and improved makes!
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It hasn’t come back out again yet haha!
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I am so annoyed I missed this offer. I have been eyeing up an overlocker but being new to dressmaking I wasn’t sure which would be a good beginner machine or whether I would use it enough. But I would like nice neat seams inside my tops.
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Ah don’t worry if you’re new to dressmaking you’ll do fine without one 🙂
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Congratulations! 🙂 You get used to the threading bit, just don’t attempt when you’re tired!
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Good for you – who needs to wait until Christmas? My overlocker is over 25 years old now, but I still use it often. Once you’ve got one, there’s no going back!
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I hope this one survives 25+ years 🙂
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I have a similar over locker made by Brother. Like Tialys, I find it frustrating to rethread, only, of course, I say, “Oh, brother.” My advice to you sewists who still have yours in the box is take pictures or make drawings of how it is threaded and where all the tension dials are set. Then, go ahead and try your machine out on scraps of different kinds of fabric. When the thread breaks, and it will, be ready to mess about a bit learning to thread it. Relying on the manual and color coding works, but if you examine how it is threaded with almost scientific precision first, re threading will be much easier. I use mine all the time now, but it took me some practice and patience.
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Haha, “oh brother” 🙂 Yes I think the key is to practice practice practice… Of which I’m sure I will!
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ooh have fun! An overlocker is on my one day list. First I need try making more clothes…!
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Hehe yeah with quilts I suppose you don’t really need it. One day..!
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Ooh, have fun Beth. I love mine 🙂
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Thank you!
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Funnily enough, I did the same recently, definitely worth taking the plunge, enjoy!
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Hehe I think we’re not the only ones either, they sold out very quickly! Hope you enjoy yours 🙂
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I want to get one too! There are some projects that it would come
in really handy for.
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One day… ! 😀
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👍 enjoy your new baby! You’re going to find it very useful!
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I hope so. Wish I didn’t have to pack it away all the time, that’s what’s annoying!
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I know. My two machines are jostled around all the time on a rolling fold out sewing machine table, which I am actually overjoyed to have because it is better than nothing!
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Have fun with it! I got an overlocker as part of a special deal when I bought my sewing machine but the most I’ve ever done is take it out and have a look at it. One day…
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Haha! Pull your finger out! Lol 😀
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Enjoy your new serger!
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Thank you, I think I will 🙂
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How exciting! I got an overlocker for my birthday (not the same one) and made a quick t-shirt on it and it was soooo quick and great fun! I haven’t changed the thread or touched the tension yet though! I’m sure you’ll love your new toy!
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I can imagine how quick out was. Well done for making it without the thread popping out!
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Oh…enjoy! Mine has rather terrified me since getting it last Christmas but I’m getting there! The biggest advice I have is ALWAYS thread in the right order and don’t cut corners – it doesn’t pay off!! Good luck – looking forward to seeing what you make with it!
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Haha thank you, don’t scare me! I’m trying not to look at it as a terrifying thing! 😀
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Very cool–congrats on the new toy! Have fun with it!
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Thank you 😛 I’m sure I will! Til I chop into something I don’t want to of course!
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Good luck! I’m sure you’ll soon learn to love it! If I’ve any tricky Sean’s I run it through my regular sewing machine first then whiz it through the over locker. 😃
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Any tricky Sean’s haha! 😀 thanks for the tip!!
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I bought one last time Lidl had an offer only in France we got a Pfaff machine rather than a Singer which I was actually rather pleased about and, even after a year, I amuse myself when it needs re-threading by saying what a ‘faff’ it is. I wouldn’t be without it though.
By chance, I read a blog post this morning about using your very model for sewing thick layers – not good – so avoiding ultra thin and ultra thick might be wise. Here it is http://www.makery.uk/2015/10/fo-scuba-pencil-skirt-tutorial/? Yes, there’s a pencil skirt tute too.
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Ooh thank you!
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Well done. Mine is still waiting to be used but now I know you managed to pull the threads through with the existing ones I’ll get on with it!!
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Oh do it!! Yeah just tie them on nice and tightly, lower the tension right down and you can pull them through! 🙂
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I’ll give it a go! You’ve won my fabric giveaway by the way! I’ve just posted an announcement!
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Yaaay thank you so much!! I am having a lucky streak at the moment, yahooo better find a space for more fabric haha! Just emailed you 😛
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Yay exciting, I am thinking of getting one, but they scare me a bit!!
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Ahh it’s not scary 🙂
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Oh I’m jealous! We bought paint and new floor for our utility room last week so no overlocker for me. I would love to know how you get on with it longer term so when they come round again I can get one 🙂
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Haha! 😦 I will keep you updated 🙂
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I love my overlocker but be prepared for a love/hate relationship developing at first! Don’t leave it too long before you pick it up again. I found overlocking cotton a dream but despair set in when trying lighter weight fabrics. There’s a good course on craftsy.
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Thank Lucie. Yes you’re right, I didn’t really want to pack if away unthreaded but that’s life…. I won’t bother with lighter fabrics!
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Ooh, an overlocker! Good investment!
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I hope so! 🙂
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