Thanks @Andymat.  Wobble stitch is just a very narrow zig zag stitch.  I used a .5 width and length 3 It’s barely noticeable as a zig zag, hence the wobble, but still gives a small amount of stretch.

Thanks. It all makes sense now - not heard it called that before!

Username: @Andymat 

Apple and pear

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I had been planning to make a pin cushion for a while and with some research and inspiration from the internet, I thought I would make an apple. I drew the apple template in 3 dimensions on my computer and printed it out so that 6 sections would make the apple.

I used some material from some old jeans and the offcuts from 2 towelling bath robes I made recently for stuffing. The leaves and stem were made from a pack of small sections of felt.

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I struggled to get a needle through the apple as I did not have a long one and the apple had turned out bigger than I had thought. It also was a little bumpy as I had not cut the towelling up very small.

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So when I had finished the apple I thought I would try a pear. I followed the same process, only this time I cut up the towelling scraps smaller and bought a set of dolls needles to sew through the centre.

I thought I could use each section of the fruits for different pin or needle sizes and clips can even be stored on the leaves!

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I am quite pleased with them although the sewing is a bit wavy and there really is not much work in them but they have been a good learning experience!

Andy

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I also have a comparison of the stiches you get with the 620 vs the 630 if it is of any interest.

Don't want to rain on your parade @Andymat but if you major in knitted fabric then next thing on your list should be a coverstitch machine.  They do make the project look finished off.

Having used the overlocker, yes, I can see what you mean! It would be useful but I have no space at the moment.

Thank you all for all the encouragement. It has been an interesting journey and is only just begun!

Thanks again for everybody's thoughts on this - it is really helpful to hear what other people's experiences are.

The news is that I have actually bought an overlocker! I went to one of the local dealers and I honestly wasn't expecting to buy one there and then. It was intended to be a fact finding mission, even though I had done quite a bit of research on line and had all these comments on here.

I played briefly with the Brother 2104D which did indeed sound quite noisy but it was a more tinny sort of noise that didn't inspire confidence. I also was shown the Jaguar machine which had previously caught my eye and was recommended by @Greybird (thanks). The front opens up fully for threading and I had noticed the left hand front section was made of metal. It feels solid and sounds quieter and more professional and produced a better stitch.

So in the end I went for the Jaguar 99 which does have the 2,3 and 4 thread options. I do not know whether I will use the 2 thread feature but at least it will give me that option in the future and it wasn't that much of a premium.

So far I am pleased with it although it will take a bit of time and use to get used to it. Will see how it goes.

Thanks again everybody for your thoughts and I will post an update when I have used it more.

Thanks for this @Ohsewsimple. It does sound like there are quite a few machines that are made for other companies. I was reading earlier that Jaguar make machines that are branded and sold by other companies. I was surprised that the Bernina 800DL was not made by Bernina! I think they may be making their own now?!

I think the general consensus is not to go with the ALDI/LIDL end of the market as that route could well be a bit of a lottery at best.

I sew lots of jersey and couldn't do it without an overlocker!  I have a Brother 3034, had it about 6 years, it's great.  Very noisy...

I have heard that the Brother machines were quite noisy - I wonder if that is one of the reasons why @Ohsewsimple is not keen?