Women always try to look beautiful and stylish with the help of various jewelry and accessories in clothes. Now there are a lot of beautiful things, but they are either expensive or they are sewn mainly for women with model parameters. But they solved these two problems by opting for self-tailoring. Many of them have completed the relevant courses and now they need to choose between two units: a sewing machine and an overlock. The differences lie in the work performed. In this article we will answer the question of how the sewing machine differs from overlocks and what is better to choose.
What is their difference?
Let's look at the difference between an overlock and a sewing machine:
- Overlock is a device with which you can make professional sewing of sections on any kind of fabric. By means of the device, excess fabric is trimmed when sewing clothing items. Overlock is a sewing machine with the capabilities necessary for the professional processing of complex textile products. This device has all the features of an overlock. In addition, with it, you can make any seams when processing fabric.
- The sewing machine has two threads, one of which must be tucked into the bobbin.
The threads are intertwined through the shuttle and, thus, a stitch is obtained. Note that for a beautiful and strong stitch, the thread should be tightly tightened in the stitch. Subject to these conditions, the seam is smooth and beautiful. A special foot and zigzag stitch allows you to overcast the cut edge on a standard sewing machine. But with a sharp movement, the thread may burst. - When using an overlock, the thread cannot break due to the overcast seam, which is strong, elastic and tensile. This is made possible by directing the lower thread not into the bobbin, but directly into the loop reel. More precisely, the two lower threads, because the overlock has at least 2 loopers. It is noted that the sewing machine can only work on two threads.
These units with three threads are already obsolete models, because on the market it has long been possible to purchase a four-thread overlock, which allows you to make various combinations of overcast seams. They can be used as three-thread and two-thread - you need to turn off extra needles. - Overlock and sewing machine are different in design. In the first there is no special sleeve, which is associated with the functions of the unit. And in the sewing machine, this element is present and its dimensions are quite impressive.
- Overlock consumes significantly more threads. Overlock products do not use spools of thread, but large bobbin threads.
- Overlock during trimming cuts the edge of the fabric.
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Why a sewing machine cannot replace an overlock
Overlock performs cutting, stitching and processing of the edges of knitted fabrics or material that quickly crumbles. If we talk about the work of the sewing machine, then it sews the details of the product, some models can embroider and make overlock stitches, but cannot become a full replacement for the overlock, because it only imitates its work.
It is also possible to single out the fact that overlocks can process fabrics with two, three and five threads, unlike a sewing machine that works with only 2 threads.
Professional tailors and seamstresses prefer to use two devices at the same time.
How to make overlock stitches with a sewing machine
To make a marking of the edge of the fabric, you do not always need to buy additional equipment, which costs a lot. For those users who are not engaged in sewing professionally, this makes no sense at all. In some cases, special modes will suffice to mark the edges present on a standard sewing machine.
For different materials, special programs can be built in, by choosing which one you can make the perfect stitch. In some cases, a description of the seams can be found on the device. Auxiliary overlock stitches improve the quality of the seam.
Therefore, before you purchase a sewing machine, you must choose the one where the ability to sew overcast stitches is indicated in the program lists. This is important if an overlock purchase is not planned in the future.
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Which overlock is better to buy
When buying an overlock, most people pay attention not only to its cost, manufacturer, but also to reviews of real customers, who are not always objective. This is because improperly selected threads or needles can adversely affect work. It is necessary to pay attention to:
- The number of threads - monotonous overlocks are more practical, but at the moment, models with 4 threads are in great demand. They are equipped with two pairs of looper and needles. If necessary, they can be used as a three-thread or two-thread (you need to turn off the needle or install the looper on the convector).
- The number of programs for trimming.
- Price - the higher the cost, the more functionality the overlock has.
- Levers - adjust the length and width of the stitches.
- Creel - prevents thread breakage.
In this article, we talked about what an overlock and sewing machine are, explained what the difference between these machines is and what to look for when buying.
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