The Sewing Place

Oh no... What have I done?!

TomDrew

Oh no... What have I done?!
« on: February 23, 2021, 19:05:32 PM »
Hello everyone!

I'm Tom, I'm brand new to all things sewing, but very keen  :D . So the long and short of it is in my search for getting a sewing machine a friend of a friend said they might be able to help and then a van turned up with an industrial overlocker in it!!! Other than I know that an overlocker does the fun swirly stitches on my stretchy fabric tops and it cuts the fabric as it does it I have no idea about them at all. So I'm looking for some help on where to start with this thing. It is a Global Selection OV-616-330 (from the label on the front) and I believe it is a 5 thread overlocker.... that's about it. I've tried googling stuff about it but I either get very sparse info, or I just don't understand what it's on about... Can anyone point me in the direction of something that might assist?
In the stable: "Belle" - 1958 Singer 201k mk2 || "Guinea Pig" - 1902 Singer 128k || "Raf" - 1941 Singer 15k || "Naomi" - 2020 Janome 5024

Gernella

Re: Oh no... What have I done?!
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2021, 10:09:41 AM »
Well  @TomDrew an overlocker is not a sewing machine,  so you are still missing the main tool for sewing.  Although when set up I am sure it will do a wonderful job on finishing seams off, these machines usually come once you are confident using a sewing machine.  Looking at the website for it, that would frighten the pants off me.

Best idea for the missing sewing machine is contact somewhere like Sewing Machines Direct - Russell, who will give you advice on the best machine based on what you intend to make and to suit your pocket.

I'm sure you will get other replies shortly with other ideas.
Stash extension 2024- 6.1 meters
Left at the end of 2023 - 66 meters now (includes fabric found hidden out of sight)  Lining fabric not included

TomDrew

Re: Oh no... What have I done?!
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2021, 13:45:20 PM »
Thanks @Gernella it's definitely an intimidating bit of kit. I think I shall name it The Beast (I'm sure there are bigger things to get but anything with a direct online starter and huge motor is beasty to me!). At the same time this turned up I'd just bought a Singer 210k MK2 so I can start to get to grips with that. I'm just mindful that I can just about understand how a sewing machine works but am clueless to an overlocker. I've spent a good hour or so inspecting The Beast today. I've worked out how it's threaded (I think) and swapped the plug on it (it still had an industrial multi pin plug) and the motor now fires up!
In the stable: "Belle" - 1958 Singer 201k mk2 || "Guinea Pig" - 1902 Singer 128k || "Raf" - 1941 Singer 15k || "Naomi" - 2020 Janome 5024

b15erk

Re: Oh no... What have I done?!
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2021, 13:50:14 PM »
The 201k is a lovely machine - I have a couple, and they will sew through virtually anything!  The stitch is beautiful - as are most of the vintage Singers.

An overlocker is a brilliant piece of kit, but an industrial really is a beast!

What are you hoping to be sewing?

Jessie

Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

Gernella

Re: Oh no... What have I done?!
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2021, 15:04:46 PM »
Well looks like you've got yourself sorted with a decent vintage muscle sewing machine  @TomDrew   so you are on your way to being hooked. It will be interesting to see what your forte will be.
Stash extension 2024- 6.1 meters
Left at the end of 2023 - 66 meters now (includes fabric found hidden out of sight)  Lining fabric not included

HenriettaMaria

Re: Oh no... What have I done?!
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2021, 15:19:40 PM »
Hi!

May I recommend a book called "Complete Serger Handbook" by Chris James.  I got an overlocker some years ago and thought, foolishly, that if I could drive a sewing machine then the overlocker would be a breeze.  This book proved a godsend and is beautifully illustrated and lucidly written.

Renegade Sewist

Re: Oh no... What have I done?!
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2021, 18:15:21 PM »
Hi Tom. That is a beast!  :o Why don't you contact the manufacturer to see if there is a manual for it? Then get one or more overlocker books, perhaps from the library if one is available. Keep in mind that any American books will call it a serger. Mine is named Serge.

I would get comfy with the sewing machine before I got my fingers near the Beast. It's intended to go fast, fast, fast, way beyond a home model overlocker. Those intimidate many experienced Sewists. People inexperienced with sewing tend to go slowly while they try to learn how to control things and avoid making mistakes.

I hope you plan on going into some sort of small scale production as you're now equipped for it.  0_0
Hey Bill! Read the manual!  Hehehe.

TomDrew

Re: Oh no... What have I done?!
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2021, 20:06:33 PM »
Thank you everyone!

@HenriettaMaria : I will have a look at that book, thank you very much!

@Renegade Sewist : As a fun twist to it all I've managed to find an instruction manual - "Haha!" I thought, but now I've found for some odd reason there are pages missing in the PDF and of course those are the pages in English, so I'm now translating from other languages for the other bits! - I have contacted the manufacturer and I'll see if they come back with anything. It's all good fun , I'm learning a huge amount!

I am still terrified of The Beast, I've tested the motor (a lot quieter than I expected) but in terms of stitching I need to get big reels for it and it needs oil and needle coolant?!?! NEEDLE COOLANT?! Apparently The Beast can sew up to 6500 stitched per minute!

So yes apparently I'm now setup to become a full blown manufacturer, which really wasn't what I was planning on but there you go! In all seriousness I'm looking at making a cover for an outdoor kitchen I've just made my son. There are some other canvas sort of bits and bobs I've been looking at for outside as well as some ideas around little bags and stuff for foraging and alike.

Thank you again everyone! I'll keep you informed!
In the stable: "Belle" - 1958 Singer 201k mk2 || "Guinea Pig" - 1902 Singer 128k || "Raf" - 1941 Singer 15k || "Naomi" - 2020 Janome 5024

Marniesews

Re: Oh no... What have I done?!
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2021, 21:08:20 PM »
Hi Tom

Wow, straight to industrial overlocker is a big leap into the world of sewing and although the usual progression is sewing machine before overlocker, if you're sewing knit fabrics you can certainly make a long sleeve sweatshirt entirely on an overlocker or indeed other things like jogging pants that you can finish off with a band rather than hemming, including leg/sleeve ends and necklines. You can always hem by hand of course too.

If you had a simpler machine I'd have said start with those but I think as a newbie I'd want a bit of practice first to get used to the threading, settings and speed of an industrial before jumping straight into garment sewing. Your 201K is a basic machine in so far as it's a straight stitch only mechanical but it's an esteemed classic and in addition to some fancy specialist feet you can find special attachments such as buttonholers and zigzag attachments so can do so much more than many people imagine.

It's a great contrast to your overlocker offering difference skills and techniques to learn. You can do a lot with it, especially with woven fabrics but the two machines together will make a fabulous pairing. So much to learn, so much fun ahead. Have a great time learning.  :)
Hopefully back more regularly! Ballroom sewing may be permanently paused but bag making is the current focus.

annieeg

Re: Oh no... What have I done?!
« Reply #9 on: February 25, 2021, 15:25:05 PM »
@TomDrew   Good luck with your journey into sewing machines and overlockers. You'll go up that learning curve fast and find sewing a very rewarding and relaxing pastime, except when the machines don't cooperate :facepalm:

Surest1tch

Re: Oh no... What have I done?!
« Reply #10 on: February 25, 2021, 20:13:55 PM »
What a lucky bloke you are, if I had room for an industrial overlocker I'd have one in a heartbeat. The best advice I can offer you is to first off learn how to thread it up and then play, play, play but with caution, they go at a terrific speed compared with a domestic version and will bite you. Once you get into using it you'll love it.