How To Use An Overlocker (Are They Worth It??) | Sewing For Beginners - Episode 5

Sewing for beginners - episode 5: How to use an overlocker/serger! And are they worth the investment?? WATCH THE PREVIOUS EPISODE HERE: • Sewing Machine Trouble...
Shop my sewing patterns: www.roseryapparel.com/shop
What I'm wearing: • How To Sew A Ruffled C...
My overlocker/serger: amzn.to/42p4Fit *
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:35 What is a serger?
01:30 How to thread a serger
05:38 Serger threading hack
06:54 The basic overlocking stitches
09:04 How to disengage the blade
09:40 Are sergers worth the investment?
Equipment Used:
Camera: Fujifilm X-T4
Sewing machine: Brother FS101 (gifted)
Overlocker/Serger: Singer 14sh644
My fabric scissors: ldhscissors.com?bg_ref=Ol3q8HPRD7 *
Where to find me:
+ Shop: www.roseryapparel.com/shop
+ Instagram: / roseryapparel
+ Twitter: / roseryapparel​​​
* Affiliate Link. This means that if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive a small percentage of your purchase (at no extra cost to you).
Icon credit: bit.ly/3K23hwg

[@pennysews009]

I have been sewing for 50+ years and have had overlockers since the first came out. Great machine for serious sewers. Don't buy a cheap one. You don't need a super expensive one either. You do get used to rethreading with practice. Don't use cheap thread either. ❤

[@lizziecallaghan4995]

I have just rediscovered my childhood love for sewing as an adult. What overlockers do you recommend?

[@saintamerican6105]

What do you recommend is too cheap to buy? It seems like they’re all 250-300 brand new but they can be bought on marketplace for less than $150

[@marionlacey1986]

After watching this Janelle, I now have confidence to do a rolled hem. Reading a manual is good but there is nothing like having a detailed explanation and visual demo. Thank you so much. Japan sounds wonderful! 🐾🥰

[@starbrown1219]

I don’t make garments, but I do have a serger for sewing seams in pillows for example. It gives them a nice finished look, even though you don’t see them. Plus it prevents the seam from coming apart. Great tutorial.

[@spring12431]

The quality of this series of videos is amazing -- concise and easy to understand. I also really appreciate the downloadable fabric guide and page to practice sewing on. Thank you so much! :)

[@MsSavvy9]

I purchased a vintage 3 thread serger on mercari just to get a feel for things. I make a lot of wispy chiffon things and wanted the teeny tiniest rolled hem. It didn't quite give me what I was going for but close enough that I decided to invest in a new singer 4 thread. I LOVE IT. It really solves for most of the complaints I've had about me-made garments in the past. I still love my sewing machines and decided to explore different feet. I think it's a case of crawl walk run. Early on I was satisfied by the results of a basic foot on a a 1990s sewing machine from Wal-Mart. Today... the results I am looking for are much more refined and so the journey continues

[@sarthambalnaidoo8186]

Rp

[@Crybaybee]

I am so happy you posted this! My husband got me a serger for christmas and I am still not totally confident with it, your video was incredibly helpful!

[@RoseryApparel]

Yay I’m so happy you found it helpful! x

[@bellac6311]

husband goals honestly 😂

[@meilingchanchow7398]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO. I've had my serger almost a year now, bought it with no idea how to use it. I was about to give up and sell it when this video came out. Followed your instructions to a T and now it works perfectly. It was so simple and helpful. Love your channel! ❤

[@ericaeschenbacher4921]

After binge watching your sewing videos ( also really excited for new home/ studio content) I was inspired to purchase an over locker. I thrifted a screaming deal on a Bernina 4 thread over locker with sewing cabinet full of needles/ threads etc. when I picked up the bundle deal for 400$ she threw in a Bernina 450 record sewing machine, just like my machine I've currently got at home! Now I'm renovating and dreaming of setting up my Bernina sewing suite, to make clothes for myself that I might actually wear because the serger finishes look and feel so much more professional. Thank you Janelle for inspiring big dreams and ambitions, love your content!😻

[@aiducha]

I have a Baby Lock Imagine and I am super satisfied. It adjust to different fabric weights automatically and threading it is so easy, it has been just a pleasure to use it.

[@WendysCraftDen]

Hi Janelle. I am so glad I found you. I struggle with making cloth3s that fit properly so I hope watching you will point me in the right way. Xx

[@ashextraordinaire]

Thank you! My sister gave me her serger, and I've been a little intimidated to use it. Other tutorial videos I've seen have been dimly lit or poorly explained, but you've given me the tools I need to incorporate serging into my sewing!

[@RoseryApparel]

Love hearing this! Once you start using your serger you won’t go back - they are an absolute game changer when making clothing 😄

[@ashextraordinaire]

@@RoseryApparel I believe it now!

[@donnaingram1720]

So glad to see this. I have had one forever and this helps so much.

[@bellinblueable]

Thank you SO much Janelle, for your wonderful and incredibly helpful video! I inherited my grandmothers overlocker and having little to no experience sewing, i had absolutly no clue how to work with it. Your instructions on threading were so helpful - I didn't get the instructions in the manual without having watched you threading your machine (also, my grandmothers overlocker was threaded the wrong way...). Continue your good work, wishing you all the best 🥰

[@deannalyndunn2002]

Oh my goodness thank you for this tutorial! You have made this so much easier. I kept getting frustrated. You answered so many of my questions. Thank you so so much!

[@nataliewheeler2679]

Such a great video! So helpful. Thanks for posting.

[@bajaboolie]

This video is so straightforward and well explained. I am a little less intimidated with the idea of getting one now. Thanks!

[@adriennenosler5441]

i’ve been having trouble threading my serger recently and this has helped so much

[@sharonbrinders1224]

Thank you so much for sharing this info Janelle. Remain blessed xxx

[@SewMyTime]

I took an hour to thread my Overlocker the first time but in no time at all I can do it in minutes. The hack doesn’t work for me though. Knots won’t pull through especially the needles. Very frustrating. Great video again. Thank you.

[@RoseryApparel]

That’s probably for the best as it sounds like you’re a threading pro now! 😄

[@auntiezann5146]

Thanks for showing how to thread it! I can see that it’s a bit finicky, but also, how it gets easier with practice!

[@shopnabegum976]

What a fantastic and absolutely relevant video. Thank you so much. I'd never seen an overlocker so up and close. After your video I can confidently say I'm not afraid anymore. Saving your video for sure.

[@RoseryApparel]

Yay I’m so glad to hear that! And glad that you found this video helpful ☺️

[@mishyfishy389]

I just bought one a month ago, and oh my lord! I wish I had bought one 4 years ago, however I am glad I made sure that I knew I loved to sew and at least I have some experience knowing how to sew hems on a regular machine. I will definitely be coming back here if one of my threads comes out 😂

[@Luckypennymakes]

I lost my manual years ago so I’ve never done anything except a 4 thread stitch, excited to test out a rolled hem. This video has been so helpful!

[@carolynrogers1510]

Try searching on the web for a copy of your manual, it’s worth obtaining the one specific to your machine. And don’t use the tension number shown in the video to roll hem, a rolled hem tension is lower looper tension high and lower looper tension loose, I usually start by varying each by a full number, test sew and then finesse. You want the lower looper thread to pull upper looper thread right around edge until they both lie beside needle thread on the underside, encasing the fabric which rolls so cut edge is up against needle thread too.

[@meganmyers1657]

Thank goodness you’re making these vids! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

[@RoseryApparel]

You’re so welcome! I’m glad you’re finding them helpful 🧡

[@twosticksandstring]

This is such a good video - you explain everything so clearly and concisely, thank you.

[@RoseryApparel]

I’m so glad you found it helpful 😊

[@lonniebolwerk8164]

Great video, really helped me understand my machine

[@AkaihanaDigitals]

amazing video, I was wondering if purchasing an overlock for my birthday was a good investment and you have solved that question for me. thank you, amazing video!

[@kylebrittellie]

Just got a serger/overlocker for Christmas and this video was very helpful with set-up :) Honestly, if you are serious in making your clothes nice, get a serger!!! It's a game-changer!! I got the Brother 1034DX, and, like you said Janelle, the differential feed is a must-have! Thanks Janelle! 🧡🎄Have a blessed Christmas!!

[@cassiopeia4015]

Yes they are worth it! I have a Janome and I can't sew without it.

[@cherylbecker_ecreatestitches]

My serger hasn't been working so great lately and now I have some new tips to try. Thank you so much for the helpful video!❤

[@RoseryApparel]

I’m so glad you found it helpful! x

[@juniperjr2017]

I really like having an overlock machine, as tricky as it can be to thread it sometimes. Once I start a project, I'm impatient to get a final garment. It did help that i also bought it on sale.😅

[@aidawalls148]

Thank you for sharing 🙏 very helpful for me. I have the same serger sewing machine you have. And now I know the settings to get the right stitches I want. Thank you 😊 🙏

[@RoseryApparel]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you found this video helpful 🧡

[@bekytg9393]

Thank you so much for this video. I had know idea that overlockers can do rolled hems.

[@cordellasamuel695]

Thank you very much you have been a great help

[@user-ju1cr6is5i]

Please do tutorial on flatlock stitch on this very overlocker

[@SchoolBeauty]

Thank you!

[@susanac5869]

Great tutorial!!

[@RoseryApparel]

Thank you! I’m glad you found it helpful 😊

[@feemaca]

Love what you have on ✨

[@RoseryApparel]

Aw thanks! 😊

[@paulavandieden8609]

i'll be watching this one again, got a vintage babylock but the diagrams are very faded, i think i can follow this

[@Y_Gamer_Z]

Wow nice

[@HigimuraStudios]

Question: How do you know how much to cut off with the overlocker blades? Is it the seam allowance that you are cutting off? Just starting my overlocker journey, so I'm looking forward to watching the rest of your beginner overlocker videos 😊

[@alkodjdjd]

thanks

[@kazkazzie3906]

Thank you for the video. But i've always wanted to know when sewing on an overlocker, how much allowance of the material do you give because when the machine sews, it cuts as well? Also when cutting out material pieces would you have to make allowance for if you use an overlocker?

[@hilaryderrick2181]

This is so helpful! By moving the blade like that, can you essentially cover stitch? Or is it a bit more complicated than that?

[@ashleylim2954]

thats a very cute dress you are wearing

[@RoseryApparel]

Aw thanks so much 😊

[@Luma994]

If you have an overlocker, do you need a normal sewing machine too to make clothes? How about elastic seams? Are all overlocker seams elastic? How does one make hems, like on a t-shirt? The kind with one or two seams on the right side and overlock stitch on the other side. This video was very useful. It takes away the scary part of the overlocker machine 😊

[@RoseryApparel]

Yes, you definitely need a sewing machine! An overlocker is just a way to finish of the raw edges which ultimately helps to make your handmade garments last longer. You can sew stretch fabric (t-shirt fabric) completely on an overlocker without needing a sewing machine, but I still hem my t-shirts on my sewing machine with a twin needle - I hope this helps! 😊

[@Luma994]

@@RoseryApparel thank you ❤️ It helps.

[@homesteadinnorway]

Feels like no one’s talking about the overlock threads. Do you just leave them as is, or do you tie them off? 😖

[@user-ju1cr6is5i]

I have issues getting the tensions, stitch width and differential right. Please do tutorials on how to get these right. This machine got me to see a doctor and then rethink my life as a dressmaker who's just beginning her journey😢 I even cried because of how fraustrated I feel. It's happening to me at this moment 😢 Please help me not to give up on tailoring 😢😢

[@user-ju1cr6is5i]

I'll use your tutorial to adjust mine.

[@Lillian-Rotha]

Can I use only two threads?

[@morganlouise19]

What is the construction stitch used for? Forgive my ignorance, I'm a quilter and I have made very few garments, but really want to get started on a new work wardrobe using my new overlocker!

[@RoseryApparel]

A construction stitch is just a normal stitch that holds the seam together, an overlock stitch (3 thread stitch) on its own isn’t strong enough and the seams will come undone 😊

[@MsSznur]

I have almost the same Singer machine. From the beginning setting the same tension on all discs would give me awful, unusable seams. The "green" disk in my machine is way "looser" than the others. Which makes adjusting tension to fabric a nightmare. Is this normal or is this base for complaint?

[@RoseryApparel]

You might have to set different tensions for the different discs (and they might be different to what’s recommended) and if you’ve set it up so that the stitching looks neat and sits flat then it should be all good! If the stitching is still looking messy then I would definitely get it looked at.

[@Macasmum]

👩‍🌾👩‍🌾👩‍🌾👍

[@beccssmith6285]

And pleasre don't buy a way too cheap Semco brand overlocker from Spotlight as seen in the video. Janome is fabulous 27 years and still going strong. Sewing machine is 30 years

[@MargaretWright-bo8is]

The Bernina isn't!

[@AndreaS-ue8zs]

It is too hard

[@dianebell3653]

I'm in the minority it seems because I hate overlockers. An overlocked finish always brings to my mind Chinese sweatshops where they just want to make a huge amount of clothing fast. All the other seam finishes you can do are more pleasing to the eye. You never find an overlocked edge on more expensive clothing lines.