Can You Use an Overlocker as a Sewing Machine

You can learn how to serge with a sewing automobile in 2 steps. First, nosotros'll talk about what foot to use to make the procedure easier. And of course, you'll find out tips and tricks when machine serging.

But beginning, do you lot already know what is serging in sewing ? And so, read well-nigh this technique to help you understand how to use it correctly.

how to serge with a sewing machine

How To Serge On A Sewing Machine Easily

Step i. Attach the foot and fix up the machine

Sew your seams and trim so that you'll have around 1/4 inches for serging
Read the transmission of the specific sewing machine you lot accept and remove its standard presser human foot
Replace the foot with an overcast foot and utilise your run up selector to use the zigzag or overlock stitch, suitable for serging
If you don't have an overlock or overcast foot, you can use any presser foot with a wide pigsty in the middle
Use the appropriate stitch length and width, usually 2.5mm and 3.5 mm
Identify the cloth underneath the foot and check if the guide on the machine is aligned with the cloth edge
For light to medium materials, finish the seam allowance together while end the seam allowance separately for heavier weight fabrics

Step 2. Starting time sewing

Plow the needle towards y'all slowly and suit the width of the stitch if you detect the needle striking the human foot
Marshal the needle with the span to avoid getting uneven stitches, and brand zigzag stitches along the fabric hem
Make sure that the edges are aligned with the guide on the pes when sewing the seam allowances
Check if the correct-hand indicate of each zigzag is barely reaching the fabric edge
Backstitch the kickoff and terminate of the seam to secure the zigzag stitches
Never pull your fabric, especially later on you finish serging, because it tin damage the stitches
Press the seams open up to finish

Can A Sewing Machine Serge?

If you lot don't have a serger, yous tin use your regular sewing machine to serge your projects. This is possible with the overlock pes, and you'll finish the edges of the project as professional-looking as those washed with the specialized serger motorcar. Furthermore, check if your sewing machine has an overlock or overedge sitch or use the ladder or pin stitch every bit an alternative to cease the seams with your sewing machine.

Read virtually what is a serger sewing machine to know more than about this specialized device for serging. Is it even worth it if you can serge with a regular sewing machine?

How Do You Serge With A Regular Sewing Machine?

The best style to serge with a regular sewing machine is to check if it is capable of the overlock sew together and you have an overlocking foot. But if you can't practise an overlock stitch, you can finish the edge with a ladder sew to get a serger look.

Did yous know that you can also quilt with a sewing machine? Find out how to stitch a quilt with a sewing machine in our easy-to-follow tutorial.

Practice You Serge Before Or After Sewing?

Yous can serge before sewing or even after sewing the seam. Some fifty-fifty serge as they make the seam. It's a common discussion in the sewing community on whether y'all must sew first or serge first. But ultimately, information technology will depend on your personal preference and what specific project you're doing.

For those who are new to serging, information technology's best to sew first then serge. Y'all might detect yourself in less room for fault, especially when working challenging seams. But if you want to serge and then run up, it will benefit yous when sewing a zipper, for example.

Do I Overlock Before Or After Sewing?

Knowing when to overlock when sewing depends on what you find the near comfortable. Call up that some projects will benefit from pressing them open later on being sewn or overlocking their raw edges earlier sewing to reduce majority. There are besides patterns where you desire to baste showtime or sew on the sewing machine earlier overlocking the edges.

When sewing garments, you can also overlock afterward finishing information technology and before topstitching . This way, you tin can effort the clothes first and make the necessary adjustments earlier finishing the seams.

How Practice You Finish The Edges Of Sewing?

Serging
Border stitching or topstitching
Zigzag stitching
Hemming
Cut the edge with pinking shears
Hemming
Bias tape
French seam

How Exercise You lot Finish The Edges Of Fabric Without Sewing?

Hem record

Pre-fold the fabric border and fe before placing the tape aslope the folded edge. Next, fold the fabric over the tape and press with an fe.

Fabric glue

Seal the cutting edge with fabric glue for projects that won't exist done and worn oftentimes to keep it from fraying. Dab a smooth line of gum along the cloth border, and then press and seal.

Pinking shears

You lot speedily finish an edge without the risk of fraying past using zigzag scissors called pinking shears. Cutting in a clean line as shut to the edge, and you lot're done.

Conclusion

And that's it! To recap how to serge with a sewing machine, you simply need to use an overlocking foot and use an overlocking stitch or zigzag stitch. The ladder or pin stitch also make skilful alternatives if you don't have an overlock stitch setting on your machine.

We promise this guide helped you to serge without a serger. Leave us a question if yous take whatsoever beneath.