The Sewing Place

Overlocker?

Wychall

Overlocker?
« on: December 23, 2019, 15:10:58 PM »
My daughter is asking me to add an overlocker to my collection. Can anyone recommend a machine to match the quality of our old Singers, but without breaking the bank. I don't even know what one is so am totally lost.
Present 'garage' contains 2 x 28K hand crank, 99K hand crank, 66K hand crank, 66K treadle, 201K treadle, 99K electric, 416, 6104, 401G, Futura 1000, Innovis NV1250 and a Jones CS treadle. New arrival Brother XE1 Stellaire
www.wychallembroidery.com

Helen M

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2019, 15:21:18 PM »
Is it for you or your daughter to use @Wychall ? Not sure if there are many vintage overlockers around.  Mine is 30 years old, is that vintage (?) but they rarely come up on eBay.
Stash Busting 2024 - Goal: 25 metres
So far:  1.5 metres  ------ Donated : 0 metres
Items decluttered: 55

Wychall

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2019, 16:20:18 PM »
I'm the mechanic, she's the user. Having just given up with a new Janome sewing machine and got her sewing with a 70's machine (6104), I don't want to make the same mistake again. So age is not important but functionality and repairability are.
Present 'garage' contains 2 x 28K hand crank, 99K hand crank, 66K hand crank, 66K treadle, 201K treadle, 99K electric, 416, 6104, 401G, Futura 1000, Innovis NV1250 and a Jones CS treadle. New arrival Brother XE1 Stellaire
www.wychallembroidery.com

Sewbusy

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #3 on: December 25, 2019, 13:49:36 PM »
What do you anticipate her using the overlocker for? Yes someone will say overlocking what else`?

Stretch fabrics or overlocking seams on woven fabrics etc.

Wychall

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #4 on: December 26, 2019, 08:40:16 AM »
She is trying to find her niche in crafting. She bought a new Janome sewing machine and started crafting bags and purses (in fabric) at which the machine failed dismally. She found her salvation in using some of my collection, notably the Singer 6104 and 401G. Now she has decided to try making hoodie and jackets, so we need an overlocker which can cope with anything. I don't know what she will end up doing.
My research has now told me that there aren't vintage overlockers for me to restore (other than big industrial beasts) so I'm on the wrong forum, aren't I.  -<
Present 'garage' contains 2 x 28K hand crank, 99K hand crank, 66K hand crank, 66K treadle, 201K treadle, 99K electric, 416, 6104, 401G, Futura 1000, Innovis NV1250 and a Jones CS treadle. New arrival Brother XE1 Stellaire
www.wychallembroidery.com

Sewbusy

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #5 on: December 26, 2019, 09:15:30 AM »
If a basic overlock required you could perhaps look out for a NewHome Combi. Excellent video here , nothing fancy but an easy way to get used to an overlocker before moving to a more advanced overlocker.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX4o-e1GHPE

Great older sewing machine and a 2 thread overlock.

Wychall

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #6 on: December 26, 2019, 11:37:35 AM »
That looks a superb bit of kit and has certainly piqued my interest. I want one! Don't care about my daughter  :devil:
Unfortunately, they seem to be quite rare.  :(
Thanks for the tip.
Present 'garage' contains 2 x 28K hand crank, 99K hand crank, 66K hand crank, 66K treadle, 201K treadle, 99K electric, 416, 6104, 401G, Futura 1000, Innovis NV1250 and a Jones CS treadle. New arrival Brother XE1 Stellaire
www.wychallembroidery.com

Sewbusy

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #7 on: December 26, 2019, 13:48:02 PM »
My local sewing machine repair man has two in atm, one with the turntable an one without.

BrendaP

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #8 on: December 26, 2019, 23:47:04 PM »
Reliability and longevity of vintage machines is largely because they are mechanical; ie don't have any electronic or computerised parts.  The better ones also have all metal gears etc which lasts much longer than nylon/plastic.

Most (domestic) overlockers are mechanical so even though the stitch formation is more complicated there are no circuit boards etc to go wrong.  In the end I suppose the price reflects on the quality of the engineering and how smoothly a machine runs.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

KayK

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #9 on: December 27, 2019, 08:23:21 AM »
What an amazing bit of kit! I almost want one, just becuase.........I do!

I have a Brother 1034D pretty basic, about 15 years old, but it just does what it supposed to do with the minimum of fuss.  Quite fast tho!  It's all mechanical, bit of a whatnot to thread until you get the hang of it, but a surprisingly sturdy, basic 4 thread overlocker.
I have learnt by my mistakes: Sewing machines now are Bernina 720, Bernina 1008, Bernina 801 from 1981, Brother overlocker, ancient but works well

Lilian

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #10 on: December 27, 2019, 12:00:08 PM »
Well, I've just watched that video. What a clever little machine! I have never seen anything like it  :)
Willing but not always able :)

Sewbusy

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #11 on: December 27, 2019, 13:22:25 PM »
I'd
 seen this machine on the internet quite some years ago, think it might have been mentioned on the old TSF group. @Tiggersew saw the video a little while ago and reminded of it. I'm offloading my heavier machines and took them in for servicing prior to advertising and whilst in the repair shop I saw he had the two versions on the shelf. Gave them a good coat of looking at!

Newhome machines were/are solid mechanical machines and little to go wrong with them hence there are still a lot around in use.



Wychall

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #12 on: December 27, 2019, 18:07:19 PM »
Although I have met my daughter's needs by buying a new Jaguar, I will be keeping an eye out for the 222 combi. The looks of that appeal to me. Unfortunately, I'm not so keen on the more common Janome combi. It has more of a 'modern' appearance. The 222 could definitely fit in my collection.
Present 'garage' contains 2 x 28K hand crank, 99K hand crank, 66K hand crank, 66K treadle, 201K treadle, 99K electric, 416, 6104, 401G, Futura 1000, Innovis NV1250 and a Jones CS treadle. New arrival Brother XE1 Stellaire
www.wychallembroidery.com

Acorn

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #13 on: December 27, 2019, 19:12:12 PM »
My overlocker is the Frister & Rossmann Jaguar 234DF Knitlock Overlocker and I am very pleased with it!
I might look as though I'm talking to you, but inside my head I'm sewing.

Wychall

Re: Overlocker?
« Reply #14 on: December 27, 2019, 21:01:21 PM »
It was actually your decision making thread and subsequent purchase that caused me to look at Jaguar machines. I found that GUR presently have £100 off for the Jaguar 489, with 24 free threads thrown in, and a carry bag bundled for a fiver. Deal done!  :toast:
Just waiting to see when their 'next day' delivery gets here,given all the hols.
Present 'garage' contains 2 x 28K hand crank, 99K hand crank, 66K hand crank, 66K treadle, 201K treadle, 99K electric, 416, 6104, 401G, Futura 1000, Innovis NV1250 and a Jones CS treadle. New arrival Brother XE1 Stellaire
www.wychallembroidery.com