What is the difference between an overlocker and a sewing machine?

A sewing machine is equipment that sews dense materials. An overlocker is a sewing machine that finishes the edges of non-standard fabrics, preventing the threads of the material from unraveling. Each individual device is capable of reproducing only one type of seam, ranging from ordinary straight stitches to decorative lines. A common feature of these seams is elasticity, which allows you to work even with knitted fabrics. It is desirable to have a toothed rack, which, when working with delicate material, slightly stretches the fabric, allowing you to produce more accurate and high-quality seams.

The main differences between an overlocker and a sewing machine

The main difference between an overlocker and a conventional sewing machine is that instead of the shuttle part, two loopers are installed, which perform its functions. In addition to them there are two knives, upper and lower, responsible for cutting and processing the edges of the product.

The design of current overlockers provides the ability to remove the knives when required, only by sheathing the fabric. Some models also have two pairs of loopers that can produce four-thread stitches. During operation, you can turn off one, two or three loopers at once, depending on how many threads you need to make a seam from.

Overlockers also differ in the appearance of the weaves. The loopers determine how the threads will be intertwined with each other, and how many lines will subsequently be created in each seam. Any stitch is made with one specific looper, but there is a three-thread overlock stitch that uses both loopers. It is designed for processing bulk materials.

A miniature tongue intertwines the threads, thereby determining the width of the overlock seams. If you remove it, you can get a three-thread border, the width of which does not exceed 2 mm. In addition to the tongue, you can install a small metal clip on the top looper, which guides the bobbin thread to the needle, helping to form a two-thread weave. The thread is threaded directly into the needle and lower looper.

Important! An overlocker may differ from a sewing machine in the number of threads required. That is, if an overlocker simultaneously uses up to five threads, then a sewing machine can cope with only two threads.

An overlocker uses threads in such a way that they do not break during processing of the material. This opportunity arises due to the direction of the threads not into the bobbin itself, but directly into the bobbin of loops. The result is a stitch that is strong and stretchable. The length of each stitch increases, and subsequently the threads are not used as economically as it would be with a sewing machine.

Can a sewing machine replace an overlocker?

The overlocker itself comes as an addition to the sewing machine, increasing the functionality of its capabilities. But it is worth noting the fact that it can work well without it.And until recently, this was the case, because overlocking practically did not appear in stores, and only a few professional seamstresses knew about its existence.

A sewing machine is designed to join the edges of fabric. But, albeit slowly, it can process the edges of dense materials. In the case of light fabrics, for example, chiffon, it is better not to use it, as the appearance of defects and stretch marks is inevitable.

What is an overlock on a sewing machine?

If a person does not plan to engage in tailoring professionally, then there is no particular need to purchase an overlocker. Some models of sewing machines have a built-in program for reproducing overlock stitches on certain materials. It will help process the edges of products, and generally improve the quality of the resulting seams. It is better to inquire about the availability of this program immediately when purchasing a sewing machine. But it happens that the manufacturer himself provides a description of such capabilities on the device body.

Sometimes a sewing machine comes with an overlock foot. But you can also purchase it separately if the device provides the possibility of installing it. It cannot be a full-fledged replacement, but it can help combine two devices in one, providing the sewing machine with some of the functions of an overlocker.