Overlockers - advice please!

jackieglasgow

The Singer is available from an Amazon seller for £158.85 with p and p, so your vouchers would be better spent on something else, I fear!

bigmuffins

Thanks Jackie, haven't looked on amazon, will do now. That's a big difference! Only thing is the tesco vouchers seem to be 'free' as we don't use them for anything other than shopping generally. The only thing that we could use them for otherwise seems to be pizza express but we generally use the 2for1 vouchers or similar and I wouldn't have anything to 'show' for it! ifyswim! Wish tesco had better prices on their electrical stuff! Would have got a food processor for mum but they don't stock the model she wants or are out of stock of alternatives!

beemuzed

Hi! I have a babylock interlocker which is great as it virtually threads itself! However, I used to have a much more basic model. Reason I got rid of it was the threading issue. Can you go into a specialist shop and have a go yourself before you purchase? They'd also advise about the differential feed. I think it helps to produce ruffles etc and cope with differing thicknesses of material - but I'm not sure. I really would be inclined to get specialist advice before buying - it's a big ourchase to get wrong! Most shops are only too willing to help - and you don't have to buy there!
Incidentally, I exchanged loads of Tesco vouchers before they changed the rate and put them towards our cruise later in the year! Much better value than just using them at face value for the shopping, which is what we used to do!

Mariel

I don't know about either of those models but I've had a cheap overlocker before as has a friend (different models) and I would NEVER buy one again, they keep coming unthreaded and just don't work properly. Spending more IMO is essential.

flea72

you only need differential feed if you want to gather, or sew differing weights of fabric to each other

for a novice overlock user, who will most likely only use the overlocker for neatening seam edges, then the Toyota one would fit the job

threading is only a pita if you dont keep the machine lint free, or lose the threading tools - as the machine is colour coded, you cant really go wrong with threading

having an adjustable stitch length and width is the main thing to look for, as it means you can do fancy looking stuff like lettuce hem

so the Toyota one is perfectly suitable for a first time overlocker purchase. if you then find after several years use, that you want extra twiddles, then thats the time to think about getting something a bit more fancy

F

bigmuffins

Thank you all for taking the time to post.

I wanted the overlocker to neaten my sewing and give it a more finished look but other than that I hadn't really thought about it before the voucher double up offer.

So I am going to go into John Lewis and have a chat to them and try out their overlockers soon but have decided to hold fire for now as the vouchers can wait and I am sure Tesco will have another offer of some sort soon! After all it is only a bargain if I was going to buy it anyway :money:

(and JL price match)
:beer:

zippychick

I must admit to not knowing what an overlocker was:o

I've merged this with the thread pink linked to as it will help others wanting to buy one in future

Glad you got some help from the MSE -ers :j:money:

hakeber

hello can anyone tell me what thread i need to buy for my overlocker. I always buy cotton thread for my sewing machine but should i buy poly. Have no idea what i am doing.
bek

Just-JJalishious

culpepper wrote: »

I know you are all sorted but for anyone thinking of the sewland overlockers, they are very basic. I have one which just about manages to sew two layers of cotton and although it does actually overlock,you do need to be able to take it apart to tighten the lower needle watchamacallit as it works loose.
Fine for making very light underwear or dolls clothes but not viable as a long term investment.

Hi, do you know if the sew land overlocker cuts as it sews??

culpepper

Just-JJalishious wrote: »

Hi, do you know if the sew land overlocker cuts as it sews??

It doesn't. It is very basic.