Overcast stitch is wrong way around.

[Adey1981]

I assume I'm just being a noob here, but..

I have Frister and Rossmann Beaver 4 (Sold in US as Kenmore 158.1431...I believe)
It has a overcast-stretch function, but seems to be the wrong way around from what I'm seeing from other sources.

It's like this:
<|
<|
<|

Instead of like this:
|>
|>
|>

This means I have to have the bulk of the fabric to the right of the needle, and would make free arm sewing impossible with the overcast stitch.
What am I missing?

Thanks

[StitchinTime]

Great use of the keyboard to show the stitches!

I think the stitch you have shown is for blind hemming not an overcast stretch stitch. I’ll try to find a manual for your machine and see what is says about stitch options.

[Iminei]

Ill let @SiT  answer you properly as she probably knows the model of your SM ....

But just for your information on a lot of the Computerized machines there is a Mirror Image function which can flip the stitches for you.

I find this extremely useful for when I finish binding my quilts using a blanket stitch as ... instead of the whole bulk of the quilt to the right of the needle ie under the Harp space, the quilt is to the left and all that is running to the right of the needle is the binding .. looks good too.

[toileandtrouble]

Try sewingonline.co.uk for a free to view manual. You can also buy a printout from them.  It does show how to get an overcast stitch.  The advertising for an eBay sale said your machine is built to last more than one lifetime.  You won't wear it out!

[Bodgeitandscarper]

I've found a manual, and it would seem that it is meant to be that way round, with the stitch along the edge.  Have you tried it?

[StitchinTime]

I've found an Ebay listing for a Beaver 4 which has clear photos of the stitch selector and the available stitches.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265367965825

The manual that @Bodgeitandscarper found is for the Beaver 5 machine which seems to have a different stitch selector and more stitches than the Beaver 4.

[BrendaP]

I've found a manual, and it would seem that it is meant to be that way round, with the stitch along the edge.  Have you tried it?

  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

Try using number 3, the stretch overlock stitch.  It doesn't matter if your fabric isn't stretchy.

[BrendaP]

But just for your information on a lot of the Computerized machines there is a Mirror Image function which can flip the stitches for you.

I think this is a mechanical machine so won't have a mirror image function. 

[toileandtrouble]

The manual does give settings for a stretchy overlock but you have to adjust some settings. Take a look at it on the website. Looking is free.

[StitchinTime]

@toileandtrouble Do you have the link to view the free manual? I can only find a five page preview on the sewingonline.co.uk website.
https://www.sewingonline.co.uk/instructions/beaver4/Mymachine.html

[toileandtrouble]

The link you had opens a page with the menu on the left. If you choose overcast stretch stitching, you get  a picture of that entry, which shows the setting needed.

[StitchinTime]

Thank you @toileandtrouble - its obvious now you've explained it 

[StitchinTime]

Now I know how to see the other pages in the manual, it does appear that the over cast stretch stitch is used with the bulk of the seam (and garment) to the right of the needle.

[Adey1981]

Hi guys, thanks for all your input.
Luckily the machine came with its original manual. The machine is around 40 years old and is mechanical.
In the manual it does show the fabric being fed on the right. I just found it very weird that it would be that way.

 I've noticed though, that the stretch-overlock stitch is on the same dial setting as the blind-hem stitch (stitch modifier dial alternates them). They have the same orientation, so I guess it's a mechanical limitation of the machine, like they share the same cam?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14MryuPy9wCSELK5k8mCZeV-MydFhzqmJ/view?usp=drivesdk

Edit - StitchenTime beat me to it.

[StitchinTime]

Perhaps it is a sign of the times and of what fabrics were more likely to be sewn at home 40 years ago. A blind-hem stitch might have been more useful and the stretch-overlock stitch was just a bonus use of the cam.

Other than the counter-intuitive way of sewing the stretch-overlock stitch, it looks to be a good solid machine and has the bonus of being able to adjust the presser foot pressure which is missing on many entry level modern machines.