Intro to Industrial Overlock/Serger Sewing Machines

This video is not about sewing, it's about sewing machines, more specifically, industrial overlock or serger machines. I have no experience with home machines. This video goes over all the parts of an industrial overlock, what needles to use, and tips and tricks on how to thread and deal with tension issues with the overlock.
MENTIONED/RELATED VIDEOS:
Intro to Industrial Single Needle Lockstitch Machines: • Intro to Industrial Se...
All videos related to garment construction and tools: • Garment Construction: ...
All videos with Kathleen Fasanella, including a tour of a sewing factory: • With Kathleen Fasanella
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[@One_equals_two]

My chinese immigrant mom supported our family as a seamstress for 20+ years on her own juki MO-2500. She would have piles of cloths laying all around and would be up until late into the night, and through her tireless efforts i was able to get an education and go to college and make a better life for myself. But she wouldn't let us near the machine and when she died a few years ago we were left with it and no one knew how to set it up but my father refused to get rid of it (despite our repeated efforts to set it up but never could). For father's day today i made one last effort to get it to work, and was able to thanks to your video. Somewhere mom is smiling down and you made it possible, thank you zoe

[@zoehongteaches]

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me and I'm so happy I could help!

[@zoehongteaches]

Please give this video a thumbs up if learned something new! Don't get intimidated by this machine! It's SO useful and works great!

[@persia169]

I'm curious to see If you heard of a clothing line called TAVISH with a look alike of Tory Burch logo over the brand name?

[@yoditgedibe4255]

Hi zoe i don't understand the difference between the serger and the overclock machine in the first place.can you please explain ?i want to buy one that good for my new fashion line .thank you as always.

[@KtGreatest]

how do I shorten the stitch length?

[@joefarrin]

Great video. Could I pay you for a FaceTime or Skype just to get mine threaded for the first time properly

[@dorothyking1743]

This video was exactly what I was looking for tonight!! Thank you for your patience and explaining every step so well! I am excited to try threading my serger now! I have the exact one you have in the video! I have used the serger but never had to thread it myself. I'll be back to check out your other videos as well!! Thank you!!!!

[@Designsbyg]

this was just what I needed. I just bought a Juki 2516 today and this video will be watched over and over again.

[@angiemenapa]

I'm here again. 😂🙈 I finally have my 5-thread overlocker, a Jack E4-5. Like I said earlier, my school is a Jack school so I'm tagging along. The series I got is their budget range and perfect for my student budget. Mine is mechanical and I can thread it fine! Thanks to you and others who upload videos here. Domestic owners get so intimidated easily, but as a future professional, there's no room for that! 😍

[@NehaSingh-bp6wj]

I always get stuck at the looper, but now thanks to Zoe I have learnt the trick. Thank you Zoe

[@angiemenapa]

I watched this 9 months ago as a new hobbyist who had never used an overlocker. As of June 2019, I am in fashion school and finally used an overlocker, and an industrial one! I have since upgraded my domestic sewing machine for an industrial lockstitch and I love it! 😍 Now I am slowly saving up for an industrial overlocker. Your video is truly helpful, Ms./Mrs. Hong. Thank you very much! I am in Bolivia, South America, and I use a Jack industrial lockstitch, as that's my school's brand. Thank you again for inspiring a younger 🙈 woman. I admire your work a lot! Blessings, Angelina

[@aamir31338]

Your videos are very very informative. I dont know any thing about sewing but I love to watch your videos.

[@pilarneary3526]

You give me hope to retry a relationship with my Evolve machine. When it works is great but when it doesn't...wow! Challenging! Thank you, Ms. Zoe🌺🤗🌺

[@noeljordanracca723]

Thank you very much Zoe for teaching and demonstrating us the basics of a Serger Machine. My experienced using the machine is quite scary, because I was a newbie in my Sewing class. But because of my eagerness and determination to learn. I have conquered my fear, as the saying goes if you sucked for the first time, your right on track. True indeed!!! Practice not magic... In the Philippines the term that most seamstresses used is " Edging Machine" seldom they knew the term Serger, lately because of my constant study and research in Sewing, I have found that Serger Machine is the right and universal term for it. Thank you again for taking your time to teach us about the basics of Sewing. Much love from the Philippines

[@lindoung5169]

Thank you for making this east to follow instruction video on how to thread the overclock machine.

[@jaimeegriffin6500]

Thank you. It's been a while for me and I was trying to put a long needle in my overlock. You saved me a lot of headache trying to figure out what the heck.

[@xaviboi]

OMG i've debated whether to try and re-sell this exact same model. bought it off ebay about 3 yrs back, took me forever to piece it back together (came in 3 parts with no instructions). Was proud i was able to do it, thread it and use it a few times but man does it take a bit of getting used to - i'm more accustomed to home machines (my singer portable serger is much more user friendly LOL). Been sitting in my corner apartment collecting dust. I refer back to videos like this one and then i don't want to re-sell. I do mostly alterations. Not sure i really need this machine but god damn i pieced it together and got it running. Thank you Zoe.

[@Michibelle24]

Great video! You’re funny and informative! I just got my first 5 thread industrial (second hand) machine, and I’m over the moon with excitement and can’t wait to finally do all the projects i haven’t been able to do on my little desktop home machine. Like a kid in a candy store🤩😁

[@zoehongteaches]

Have fun!

[@SuperRatfink]

Thank you. This helps. I just bought a Juki 2615 serger. Can’t wait to try it out.

[@anmolsamat5765]

Informative and useful video!!!keep it up Zoey !

[@sbaumgartner9848]

Great idea to use two tweezers sometimes. One to push through and the other to catch it and pull from the other side. Brilliant! When temporarily removing some screws or plates for a colour, I've seen some people put them on a tray or piece of fabric in the order they removed them. That way they know the order to put them back into the machine. Re needle replacement, I've also seen some people cover the open throat plate area with cloth to avoid the old or new needle accidentally falling into the serger or sewing machine.

[@stonecrestquilt]

Love my industrial machines! Great video!

[@nooralhaddad381]

Love your videos 💕 I’m learning a lot Keep it up 👍🏽

[@l.v.d.r6640]

Thank you for this video. It was extremely helpful.

[@WaldSchneidereiAvivA]

thank you soooooo much!!! you‘ve got the only video i‘ve found that shows the thread-stand and where to put which cone 🙏🙏🙏 i just purchased a used juki mog-2516 and was a little frustrated when it came to threading this beauty. not even in the manual it is shown how to put up the cones 🤔 really annoying. so again, thank you so much für this great video with all these informations 🥳🙏

[@lorraineblalockchavies9525]

Thanks for the video, I have been looking at industrial sergers for several months. I have a home/plastic one. Was just about to get a 4 thread industrial, but after watching, I'm going to buy a 5 thread. Sometimes it pays to keep doing research before making these investments.

[@zoehongteaches]

Hope you find the perfect machine for you!

[@farialebowski2459]

omg thank you - I bought a 5 thread overlock on the real cheap and after disassembling it to clean I realized there was no threading diagram/coloured guides and I hadn't taken a photo of it threaded!

[@Vaaanesser]

ahhh thank u i was looking into these machines and was hesitant bc literally have no clue on how to use them lol this is super helpful! thanks zoe!!! :)

[@zoehongteaches]

you're welcome!

[@ThePukanka]

Using an industrial overclock is a lot better and provides nicer results than a plastic one (I have one of these at home and it requires tons of adjustment of tension every time I switch materials and sometimes it just refuses to make a clean seam on certain fabrics). From my experience: go for a professional, even if it's second hand.

[@ThePukanka]

Another great video, thank you, Zoe!

[@zoehongteaches]

In general, home machines can't handle the workload of rougher materials and constant sewing. I encourage people to buy industrials even if they call themselves "home sewers" if they sew regularly. And yes, most second hand industrials are awesome!

[@angiemenapa]

Thanks ladies for the advice. I sew as a hobby but can't handle my home machine walking on the table when going at medium speed. I have been considering secondhands too! First an overlocker then lockstitch.

[@mariaengle2202]

Thank you for your video. So much information

[@quiksilvababe]

super detailed, thank you!!

[@annasoriano243]

Thanks Zoe. This got me running my machine properly and your belly laugh makes it so less daunting haha.

[@CallMeMeepMeIfYouWannaReachMe]

Oh my god thank you so much for this video. The golden thread you showed step by step has green dots on my machine but the far right knob also has green dots and I was SO CONFUSED. They were supposed to be black! The factory gave those holes the wrong color dots! I've needed to serge things for work but haven't been able to until now because that thread popped out and the diagram it has is hard to read. I have it up and running again thanks to you!!!

[@karlalovato1715]

Very informative. Thank you😌

[@zoehongteaches]

you're welcome!

[@jennyobiliseen4301]

I’ve been waiting for this.

[@ZzDalyv]

Wonderful video!!

[@NatashaEstrada]

My 4 thread overlock has been the best investment I've ever made in my sewing. Better than my Berninas. It's not just the stitch quality but the general handling that makes the difference. With a direct drive servo motor it's also a lot quieter than my home use serger.

[@angiemenapa]

Servo direct drive motors literally purr like kittens! 😻

[@MohamedHassan-fp3ik]

Whow I solve the broblem

[@lilolmecj]

Helpful information, but I just can’t accommodate this big machine in my space. I have a four thread that I got at a garage sale, it is so great. I have another that my mom gave me, it is a pain. But if I ever go bigger, I will be glad for your explanation! Wow, loved the pedal to lift the foot! I went and looked around price wise, and while an industrial machine costs more than an entry level home type, there are home types that far exceed the industrial cost!

[@aimeesteenkamp3423]

Hi Zoe thanks for this amazing Video! Any chance you can give us a little crash course on when you will use a 3, 4 or 5 stitch or a roll stitch or any of the other? Which one we need to use for what type of material/ garment? Super new to this and can’t find a good explanation anywhere 🙏🏼. Thanks 😁

[@mihiretmollamaru1600]

Ur videos r really helpful so thank you 😊 💗 💓

[@nancy3adel]

I adore u, thank you very much u are an amazing teacher

[@yahoryankovich8771]

Hi, Zoe. It would be really kind of you if you made a video how to use differential when sewing with this overlock. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@irfannazirfani]

Great video 📸☺️☺️☺️

[@jennithorman8804]

You’re amazing!!! Thanks so much for this - we have similar machines. Turns out I got one small hole wrong while threading the second needle. Why put two holes there if you only need one??! Overlockers! 🤪😳😤😱😫🤓🙄Am I right?! Have a great day and thanks for the great video. I’ll be sure to watch more! :)

[@bartfoster1311]

I picked up an old Yamato 5 thread overlock last week for less than a bill. It needs cleaning, maintenance, and some work but it should be worth it for the price! They are also very heavy!

[@huntma3787]

This is gold.

[@heavenlydaedae]

so helpful!! thank you!!

[@irfanzahid4643]

loved it

[@mariarojas9917]

Thank you I learn alot

[@angiemenapa]

Thank you. You finally answered my questions on 3, 4 and 5 threaders. Now I will get myself an industrial 5iver! 😍 I draft my patterns, design and sew at home as a hobby but am looking forward to classes on patternmaking and garment construction. I use books at the moment. My first culottes project fits me like a pair of gloves! Onto my skirt now. I also see myself getting into a small home business in the future, hence the need to start with professional machines. 😊

[@zoehongteaches]

Yay! Have fun!

[@boitumeloroopher4713]

Damn you Zoe I love you for this... 💖

[@fortunestanley]

Very useful indeed

[@sandrinesabrina3763]

Education queen I love Zoe

[@zoehongteaches]

[@littledevildee]

So glad to have found this video! THANK YOU! SUBSCRIBING!

[@sasha82596]

If I could give you 10 stars I would. I have a 6716s and I bought it second hand but it does heavier weights but I’m still using it to sew knits just using 3 threads. Love it do not want to use my domestic anymore even though it’s one of those expensive babylocks.

[@lindarosenthal6835]

Interesting to see the differences to my home 4 thread serger/overlock machine.

[@mobincooks6481]

Thanks a lot dear

[@suzannebeyer5369]

Man, i thought my serger was tough to thread but that overlock machine is nutty pants!

[@zoehongteaches]

It's ok once it's threaded and you can just tie on new threads and pull them through.

[@rubysamuel2126]

Love it

[@spencermartin4370]

Great Video! So helpful. I have a question, I have a similar serger (Juki MO 2516). While replacing a broken needle I see that there are three different positions to place the needle. You have yours offset (one front, one back) there is also a position to have both of them directly next to each other. When and why would you switch these positions? Thank you!

[@piccadillypainting2826]

Excellent tutorial 10/10 had me laughing a few times there.

[@DucDeLamballe]

I like how quiet it is!

[@nicolawebb6025]

Thank you so much. I'm thinking of buying this model used to replace my overworked domestic serger and was unsure, but you've really demistified for me. Really it's not that different to a domestic one. Can you do just the chain stitch with this machine or do you have to have the overlock too?

[@lauraarayata5960]

Thank you so much, really help me you video. by the way I love you ring.

[@nelangomba2606]

That spaghetti turner was the best part 😁🤩

[@MakeMeFancyClothing]

Great video. I am fairly new to industrial serger and wanted to know if there is a way to make the serge not so wide....maybe reduce it by 1/8 or so. Is there a way to make the Serge a bit more narrow or am I stuck with the width of my stitch?

[@ljp363]

Can you do a video to show how to adjust the width of the stitching for an industrial serger?

[@jbbolts]

hi thanks for sharing! Any tutorial for changing or sharpening the blades? thanks!

[@KarenLeanneCreates2024]

Great for beginners. I'm looking for info b on o.l.stitch length adjustment .thanks!

[@keepitfreshlikenay]

Thanks for this awesome video! Do you know if there’s a way to adjust the straight stitch so it’s closer to the serged edge? Thanks again and definitely subscribed to watch all your videos!

[@zoehongteaches]

No, I don't know but I imagine it involves moving both needles over somehow, so I doubt it.

[@TashanaMc13]

I love this! I remember my first time working with this machine and I was in love... of course until one of the threads came undone 😫😂 can you do an intro to coverstitch machine? That's the only one I haven't used, even though I've done some studying on it

[@zoehongteaches]

No, I don't know how to use a coverstitch machine.

[@TashanaMc13]

@@zoehongteaches no worries! I appreciate the response

[@ShaunaAlexis]

Hey Zoe, I have a Brother® sewing, a Brother® serger and a Brother® embroidery machine that I use for my home sewing business that I am building. I want to have the right tools and want to upgrade. Which brand and/or style of sewing machine do you suggest for daily use.

[@GM-wv1kj]

Hi, How wide and inches is your bottom table? I also love your video.

[@cyrilprestosa3223]

thanks

[@mariarojas9917]

Hi I have a Juki overlock mo3700 the 5thread all ways break. So am being using three thread now she’s being skip thanku

[@carolynticktin2819]

I was just gifted this same machine and this video has been so helpful, thank you ! I’m super new to industrial overlocks and was wondering if there was any way to adjust the stitch width on this machine?

[@zoehongteaches]

Not that I know of.

[@anjidarkariead]

Thank you for your explanation, i need it. I'm having trouble with my mo2300, yours is the nearest model. may i ask how to adjust the stitch length? It took me forever....

[@humchumchum]

Please do a video on adjusting stitch size 😅 I can't find instructions/videos on it.

[@jyfly_]

Can we get a video on Pattern making for the ones who know absolutely nothing.. going over what the grain is and how to use measurements to create it etc.

[@ifromamsterdam2519]

Did a thumbs up!!! Thanks so much for the instruction. Missed a tiny little thing ...i was wondering how you secure the threads at the end. i just make a knot.. but maybe you have another trick.. which is better

[@zoehongteaches]

I don't do anything to the ends of overlocked edges. I'm always going to finish the corresponding edge, e.g. if I overlock the side seam, I would clean finish the hem so I don't need a knot. And all the threads intertwined would prevent unraveling until you do the hem.

[@ifromamsterdam2519]

@@zoehongteaches Thanks!! I think.....i understand :)

[@MissIshX]

Zoe could you please demo/explain the Pattern Magic books? I'm sure I know English, but oh my god It's hard!

[@nicolocolaleo6095]

Olá :) ótimo vídeo, você é um ótimo profissional :) com este overlock industrial, você faria um vídeo onde você pressiona o pedal descalço? talvez como um tutorial :) por favor :)

[@Sugarkryptonite]

So a question you didn't answer in your video regarding 5 thread overlockers...I am not interested at all in the 5 thread stitch, but moreso the 4 thread. Someone told me it is possible to buy a "spreader" that you put in the machine to convert it into a 4 thread overlocker instead of 5, true or not? There's a 5 thread for sale very cheap near me.

[@littledevildee]

Zoe, do you change the oil in this machine? If you do it yourself, instead of using a technician, can you please allow to follow along?

[@simmikishore6905]

Would you recommend a 4 thread or 5 thread serger for bridal or evening wear

[@lindaham6390]

Can these machines be set up to make a rolled hem edge? I have a 5 thread brother a lot like this machine.

[@BantuLioness]

Hello can you please help with doing a roll/lettuce hem on an industrial overlocker please?

[@tencevalentin621]

have you ever changed the oil filters on this machine

[@edemkass1502]

why my overlock gemsy machine Thread Keep Breaking. is a new machine i just fixed it and am trying it then my upper thread just keep braking. any help.

[@littlebabushkaco7602]

Do you have a video on servicing them or even just removing them from the table to service?

[@zoehongteaches]

No, I've never done either thing.

[@jennithorman8804]

A repairer should come to you to do the repair. If you’re in melbourne Australia I can recommend a service place for you

[@nesharambally1608]

Hi, great video... But the safety stitch is giving a little trouble, it's chain stitch is knotting sometimes... This is the needle on the left... Can anyone help please?

[@Balkongodlaren]

Overlock machines can have anything from 2 threads and up, and sew any combination of stitches. Unless it's a 2 thread machine, the number of threads won't actually tell you anything about the stitch produced! A 4 thread overlocker for example may sew a 2 thread overlock stitch with a separate lock stitch, or a 2 thread overlock stitch with a separate 2 thread chain stitch, for woven materials. Or for knits a 3 thread overlock stitch with a separate 1 thread chain stitch, or a 4 thread overlock stitch... Industrial machines generally only makes one type of stitch, but if that includes a side straight stitch (lock or chain) that can easily be left out by removing the needle and tread(s) for it.

[@alexbymaisonrosalie9261]

Hi, Do you know, by any chance how to change the stitch on your overlock ?

[@Daniellasanche]

Is there a machine that does overlock AND coverstitch to commerical quality/speed? Buying 2 machines is quite expensive. I need both to produce swimwear. Thank you!

[@olayinkaolatunde3028]

I'm having uneven stitching when I sew, how can I fix this?

[@naveen_07]

Hi Zoe, I've bought a 5-thread overlock machine. I am working with interlock, single jersey, and french terry fabric constructions, I've been told that the 4-thread is the ideal one for such stretchy fabrics, is there a truth to this? A machinist also recommended either converting my overlocker to a 4 thread or a 6 thread? Could you tell me what you think I should do?

[@zoehongteaches]

4 thread is best for stretch. I don't know anything about converting overlocks, you need to speak to a machine expert.

[@naveen_07]

@@zoehongteaches Thank you

[@israalsa6886]

I have a Mitsubishi electric serger EA5 -960H -- I can't seem to get it to work and I need help with it.

[@babydriver8844]

Hey hopefully you respond to this I work with dresses a lot and shirts I like to make a little of everything so I find myself using stretch straight stitch A LOT do industrial sewing machines do stretch stitch or should I just get a industrial Serger for my edges and keep my Janome hd1000 for stretch stitch

[@zoehongteaches]

In the industry, stretchy clothes are made with a coverstitch machine.

[@TheThreeLeggedChair]

how much white mineral oil should i fill her up? thx.

[@latifahstephens9155]

How can you gather

[@marianroach6338]

I need to understand how to thread the 4 thread serger

[@uoytnawi]

,,, my workplace ---> in front of the sewing machines ( often times , with a Creature's tail on intensity 10 as the machines purr ) ,,,

[@doremirivas5325]

Can you help me find a needle for this kind of machine? please

[@zoehongteaches]

Google needle + your machine model

[@sandrascanlan3885]

I don’t like the home Serger and it work fine for a whole year, but then it stop and the thread doesn’t lock on the fabric.