Pfaff Hobbylock 786 Serger / Overlocker Threading

Threading a Pfaff Hobbylock 786 four thread serger / overlocker.
Start by making sure the thread mast is positioned properly. Thread the upper looper, then the lower looper and then the needles.
This model can be used as either a four or three thread overlocker / serger.
To use the machine in three thread mode, just remove one needle and its thread.
Tools required - Tweezers and scissors or snips.
Troubleshooting:
Make sure to have good needles installed. If you're unsure, replace them with brand new ones.
Check the blades are cutting well. Use several strands of thread and put them under the top blade and turn the hand wheel until the blade comes down and the threads should be cut cleanly. If not, the blades will need sharpening.
Double check the treading and check the tensions.
www.institches.co.nz
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[@AnnabelYouens]

Thank you so much for this video. I just got given a Hobbylock for free and your video is so much more helpful than the instruction manual!

[@frances4490]

I can't tell you how many hours I have spent trying to find out the looper thread placement. The manual is terrible and yours is the only channel that has provided this level of detail with the marvellous closeups. Thank you thank you thank you.

[@c.powell8472]

thank you for making this!! I bought a hobbylock and ive never had a serger!! it was a lot easier to watch this then figure out the guide and manual lol

[@InStitches]

Glad I could help!

[@mmjvanessajoseph2784]

Thank a lot

[@evelinejansze4516]

Thanks again! I use this every single time I have to change it. Didn’t dare to do it without my moms help, until your video! Makes me proud, thanks a lot ❤

[@tanjap2002]

Great video! Each step slowly and carefully explained. Awesome, thank you.

[@InStitches]

Thanks.

[@jinnahmojica8512]

Thank you so much for an easy step by step guide on threading the serger. Newbie here! Thank you so much!

[@jeniferdexter5328]

Thank you! This video also helps for the 788 since the manual is confusing. I was finally able to get the lower looper threaded and working properly! Yeah!

[@InStitches]

Great to hear!

[@stephanieray6587]

788 manual is pretty much inscrutable.

[@kimberleyjane2338]

I really appreciate your video, sir. I have 788, and I was leaving the needles threaded while changing lower looper. After watching you, I cut the needle threads, relined the looper, then rethreaded the needles. Perfect thank you. I super love my serger.

[@InStitches]

Glad it helped

[@marianasantacruz4259]

Muchas gracias tengo la 784 pero prácticamente es lo mismo me sirvió mucho 😊

[@pjudispajz4577]

God bless you sir

[@ccamp7253]

great video. I was worried about learning to thread my inherited serger but you made it look very easy. Thank you!

[@InStitches]

Glad I could help!

[@ennawahusein6872]

Hi thank you so much for your showing us this video, I'm really appreciate because I have a problem to treat the yellow part and Al ways the cotton coming out ,sometimes I give up to tread. Thank you

[@amandagarcia1508]

At 9:28 he mentions you might have a problem big the lower looper crosses over the upper looper you can remove the presser foot and uncross the lower threads by pulling them towards the back. Great video thanks!

[@marymugge1523]

I have a Pfaff hobbylock 4760 and this still was just what I needed to thread it correctly. Thank god because it was snapping threads and driving me nuts trying to figure out how to rethread just from the paper manual.

[@ahudson6745]

I spent 23 yrs suffering with it, breaking threads, getting the wrong looping threads over each other.. the instructions are not very detailed. Huge time setback everytime I had to rethread. I still like my Elna for ease of operation and threading. Thank you for the video!

[@katieroberts4019]

Very detailed video. Hard to find any help with this machine... I wish I had found it months ago. Getting this exactly right has been making me crazy! Thank you!

[@m.michelleilluminato7358]

A friend just gave me this serger and I am delighted that you made this easy to understand video! Now... to the manual to better understand the tension settings! YAY for your generosity! (And anyone out there know when this was made? The foot pedal says East Germany! WOW.

[@katiewebster6530]

You have helped me so much! Thank you.

[@danielab7997]

It's been two years since you posted the video. In the meantime there was a corona and I did not sew as much as before. I have had this overlock machine for 31 years and have never had a problem. I sewed for people and also taught sewing. I remembered how to thread accurately. I only had a problem of lighting, the eyes are no longer as young as they used to be. I thought I might have done something wrong, and your amazing video was the first on the list by the title I gave. Your explanations are so accurate as well as the video that is filmed up close and no detail can be missed. I thank you so much - you just saved me !!! Are these machines still sold after so many years?

[@pamelabourdages8822]

Thank you thank you 😊 it took me awhile but I did it🎉 that lower looper was tough 😂

[@ItsWorkingTogetherForMyGood]

Super helpful. Thanks heaps

[@InStitches]

Glad it helped!

[@vivianeminkala410]

Il explique très bien comment l utiliser vraiment j adore.J étais perdue avec autres videos

[@moriahr3873]

This was so so so so helpful for my hobbylock 788. I was wondering if you have considered doing a video on tension? I just got this serger from a friend's friend's friend lol and I don't know a thing about sergers but people keep talking about how tricky it is with tension?

[@athenatzathas6637]

I second this! If you are able, I would like to see a tensioning video!

[@gen2917]

Thank you so much!

[@kenjisan7970]

What an excellent and clear demonstration of threading the machine! My wife has the exact same machine and I have question. I took the front cover off the machine to clean the internals but I’m not exactly sure what the position of the small right hand looper thread guide should be. Is there a dimension or diagram you could refer to me? Thank you in advance for any help.

[@vivianeminkala410]

Avec une vue facile.merciii

[@camillemu1684]

Thank you for this video! Just bought an old version of this machine (second hand) and it had no manual so I couldn't figure it out. Quick question - When I got the machine, it was missing a needle, so I tried adding a new one, but the screw doesn't seem long enough to hold it. Do you know why that would be and how I can solve this? (it's the right needle that doesn't hold)

[@kathrynpeterson6068]

For the left (yellow) looper: (7 min 45 in the video), I suggest you skip the step where you thread from the left side of the serger. That look’s difficult and Pfaff designed a much easier way. Have you noticed the that large handwheel on the right side of the serger has a purple mark on the wheel, and the body of the machine, at the handwheel,also has a purple mark? Line those two marks up. After all of the yellow eyelets are threaded, and you have thread the left looper, make sure the purple marks on the handwheel are lined up. You see the grey slider/lever along the bottom right of the open door? Slide that lever to the left while holding the thread with no slack. The slider pushes the thread you are holding to the left and threads the loop for you like magic.

[@kimberleyjane2338]

Hi. I'm hoping you can answer me. One of the 4 little clips that keeps the tread lined up from back fell down inside. I took off the light cover, turned machine and got that piece. However I cant seem to figure out how to open the machine in half so that I can reattach it. Please help. I have this pfaff 788. Thank you

[@skinnergus]

Any chance you could do a video on the correct timing of this Pfaff Hobbylock 786? I have a 788 and am have the hardest time getting the timing right. your videos are great.

[@margareta-zj3ef]

I have PFAFF 788 with the SLIDER arrangement to thread the upper looper....cant get it to thread...help pls

[@narame7559]

Hello Sir , I have Piaf 793 Hobbylock . When I was doing serger the needle bar dropped . Can you help me how to fix this problem. Thank you very much.

[@gloriasherwood4766]

Great thank you

[@InStitches]

Thanks.

[@joycej9415]

Mine came with a handy needle threader, I have lost. Anyone know where I could buy a new one?

[@um-shaymaben3120]

Will this be useful for 799 too. Please answer my question?

[@Pipsinstitches]

Hello from Australia, I recently picked up this same machine and I am so glad I found your video to help me thread it. I am wondering what you have your tensions set at? Thanking in advance :) oh I’m looking for the manual too, any tips? Oh I just went back to the start and I can see you have all tensions set to N, is that just for the threading and then you adjust?

[@plrj]

Hello, I’m from Australia 🇦🇺 too. Here is a link for the manual hobbylock 788 🤗 www.pfaff.com/SiteMedia/PFAFF/Products/Machines/Support-manuals/Hobbylock-_787_788-manual-EN.PDF

[@marisolmachado5880]

Hola que voltaje de luz se usa 110. O 220

[@medaliescalaya7308]

Q tipo de agujas llevan estás maquinas

[@danerisurrutia2048]

Donde puedo conseguir el luper de abajo y las cuchillasy el guia hilo que va al lado de el enhebrador soy de colombia Barrancabermeja Santander

[@marisolmachado5880]

Hola esa maquina trabaj con electricidad 220. O. 110????

[@ravynedrake8527]

Would've helped if you used different thread colours. Still very helpful and concise.

[@carmenceciliamunozdequirog3140]

Necesito saber cómo se acorta la enmallada

[@tomihill01]

Hello, I have a Pfaff Hobylock 797 serger. It is a great little machine and was top of the line when I got it. It has been setting unused for about 20 years now, and when I got it down and tried to use it again recently, I found that it seems to be stuck. You can hear the motor trying to get it to go but nothing is moving forward, so I don't want to force it and break it, so I put it back up on the shelf. Do you think it's worth taking to the Pfaff dealer to fix, or should I just forget about it.

[@InStitches]

I think it's definitely worth getting it looked at. They are very good quality machines. Thanks.

[@tomihill01]

@@InStitches Yes, thank you so much for replying. I think those ones were still made in Germany by Pfaff. I have all the extras too. The how to video tape with Phillip Pepper and the Pfaff owners handbook for the Hobbylock which is a big three ring binder. Also, have a Know Your Pfaff Hobbylock book by Baker Young. Everything is in pristine condition as well, so I really don't want to part with it. I found you as I was searching for some answers about problems with my Pfaff Coverlock 4862. You answered a lot of my questions and how to solve some problems, but unfortunately it still has problems that I can't fix, so I'm going to have to take it to the Pfaff dealer. Too bad you aren't here in the states. I would like to send it to you.😊

[@InStitches]

@@tomihill01 Thanks.

[@jinnahmojica8512]

Hi, its me again, i followed your instructions on threading the PFAFF HOBBLYLOCK 786 but it wont give stitches, noticed that the thread from the lower looper is not looping to the upper looper, everytime the machine run the thread from lower looper keeps staying on top of the upper looper. Im really confused and irritated as well.

[@InStitches]

Hi. It may need a service. Not sure without actually looking but maybe the timing is out? Thanks.

[@fideliatriana4713]

Traducirlo al español

[@betinastratford2937]

Why can't they make a threading guide that actually shows which "colour" of thread goes over and which goes under? Those illustrations are SO useless! They don't show clearly enough detail to thread the machine right the first time. It's trial and error dozens of times until it magically works...for some reason.

[@louisewillis5710]

Wish I had this model instead of the hobbylock 2.0 Terrible design!! Do not purchase: buyer beware.

[@JohnJohn-zn8ib]

Do you know how to get the top cover off this model because mine has no screws to take the handle off, I'm trying to get to the tension discs as there is no tension on 1,2 3 dials, should it be thrown away, thank you.