New Overlocker Best Thread

[Farrener]

Hello

I've just bought a Janome 6234 XL Overlocker, and I need to buy thread. Where is the best place to buy this online? What should I expect to pay?

Thanks

[toileandtrouble]

To some extent, this depends on what you are using it for.  To finish the edges of wovens, a fine thread , 180 or less does not give bulk. On a heavy material, I use up whatever I have to hand. If you are doing lingerie or sportswear, there are looser threads that bulk out and give better coverage of the seam. Jaycotts and Barnyarns are both good for threads but it depends what you mean by 'best'. Are you looking for large cones or smaller ones for smaller projects? Neutral colours that blend with a lot of things are useful. If you want to do decorative finishes, the manual should give some ideas of types.

[BrendaP]

I second all of what @toileandtrouble says. 

Most of the big cones (5,000 metres) readily available unbranded online are usually ticket size 120 = Tex 27 (or dTex 270).  Those are fine for most things.

If you want the very fine ticket size 180 I suggest Guetermann Terra 180 (dTex 160)

The softer threads which bulk out are often called "woolly nylon".  These are usually ticket size 80 and usually only used on the loopers. Examples are: Guetermann Bulkylock, Empress Mills 80s bulk nylon or YLI Woolly Nylon.

Black, white and a couple of neutral colours will get you through most projects until you build ypur stock up.  If you are using the overlocker to make seams you can always use your regular sewing thread in the left hand needle so that there's minimum show.

[Morgan]

O/L thread -
It's about keeping the bulk down (& cost) and depending on what you're going to to sew -

for thread - a spun polyester or corePolyester overlocking thread - T120s
For woolly nylon / polybulk (for loopers only) - mostly polybulk 80s available to the general market (although you can track down thinner polybulk sometimes).

There's no need to go bonkers and buy 4 cones of every colour so be selective and savvy with the combination of your choices.

The only thread you really need to colour match to your project is the thread in the left most needle.  You can use your sew-all thread in the needles if you wish (sew-all thread is usually thicker than overlocking thread weights)


https://www.novatrimmings.co.uk/product-category/sewing-thread/page/2/?flpaging=1


https://www.empressmills.co.uk/shop/sewing-threads/overlocking-thread/poly-overlocking/


One way to start out is to get cops rather than cones, then see which colours are most useful for the colour palette you sew and then should you need to, buy cones in the most frequently used shades.

If you sew a lot of stretch fabrics, it's worth getting a few cones of woolly nylon/polybulk in basic blending shades, but before buying, get the polyester thread first and see which shades you find most useful

Overlocking thread in basic colours for starting out.
- Charcoal - which does for black as well as grey and other dark fabric colours.
- mid-light grey - which does for many greys and mid to light blues
- a light fawn/taupe type colour which does as a neutral for so many fabrics (this is a valuable blending tone for many shades and multi-coloured fabrics)
- a soft white / ivory - which does for many whites, most very light colours and light to mid yellows

Then consider what colour palette you sew and choose 3 colours in the light-mid tone range that the basics don't blend with too well.  (light thread doesn't show through on dark fabric, but dark thread can show as a shadow on light fabric)
red/pink      Orange/Coral/Peach      Blue      Turquoise/Teal      Purple/Mauve      Green/Sage/Lime     Gold/Ginger/Brown   

[So Chic]

Overlockers are very forgiving with regard to thread and I use whatever I have to hand but I always use a matching thread in the left needle but the rest can be a mixture of colours. 

I've just read Morgan's reply and agree with all of it.

[wrenkins]

Just when you think you're getting a handle on things...another rabbit hole!

[Efemera]

I use any old thing... same with the coverstitch, never had a problem.

[Greybird]

I have black, white and cream cones that came free with my overlocker and I have been using them ever since - no idea what they are, but they're fine. I have another set of dark grey which I bought on Ebay which is noticeably better quality than the others. Now and then I've bought sets of little reels to match colours, but again they are, as far as I know, nothing special.

[wrenkins]

This is all very good news.
I have some black and some white to start me off. Top tip about using the "colour" in the left needle.  That makes perfect sense, even to me. The rest...not so much.  A bit more reading and practising to do methinks until my OL becomes indispensable!

[coffeeandcake]

Hi @Farrener I have the same overlocker and really like it.  If you have any questions, ask away.  I get my thread supplies for it from Nova Trimmings, as linked to by Morgan.

[Flobear]

Something I have learned, as a newbie overlocker owner, is that the loopers use a lot more thread then the needles. Probably obvious, but I used to be a Primary School teacher and can't help myself 
I bought 500m Coats thread from ebay 4 in dark shades, 4 in medium/neutral and 4 in light/white.

[Farrener]

Thank you so much for all these replies. There's a lot more to think about than I had realised.

I'm reassured that I can use 'normal' thread of the correct colour on the left.

Initially I will be using it to make stretchy clothes for myself, and for finishing edges. I do plan to try active wear, but have no immediate plans for making delicate items.

[Bodgeitandscarper]

As the Resident Bodger here, I use Moon threads - at about a £1 a go, it's cheap enough to buy four, and use them for anything and everything 

[Morgan]

I remember reading somewhere that Nova Trimmings is Trimbay on ebay


btw, worth looking at the products under the clearance tab.
- a couple of examples - [size=78%]https://www.novatrimmings.co.uk/product/5000-yard-overlocking-sewing-machine-thread-clearance-4-threads/[/size]
- gingham fabric,ideal for toiles for fitting [/size][size=78%]https://www.novatrimmings.co.uk/product/14-gingham-dress-fabric-sale/[/size]
- all sorts of zips too.

[HenriettaMaria]

If you're new to overlocking, The Complete Serger Handbook by Chris James, which is still in print, is a great help, I found.

The other tip I picked up from the old forum was that once you've threaded, make sure all threads are through the footplate, under the presser foot and pointing to 10 o'clock.  Much less chance of snarl-ups that way.