The Sewing Place
Machine Talk => Overlockers & Coverstitchers => Topic started by: Kayfersmum on December 27, 2020, 11:43:25 AM
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Hope you all had a lovely Christmas
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I have this one (https://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/browse-machines/overlockers/234df-knitlock) - mine is badged as Frister and Rossman, but it is a Jaguar. I wondered about needing a free arm before I got it, but can honestly say there has never been a single moment when I wished I had one!
I am more than happy with it, but I have no experience of other overlockers!
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I can’t comment on the models listed but I had a Janome with a free arm but didn’t find it helpful, when I got a new machine it was not on my wish list.
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@Acorn thank you. I’m veering towards the Jaguar so will put it on my list and check it out!
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@Ellabella that’s helpful, thank you x
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I have a Juki 654DE (https://www.franknutt.co.uk/juki-mo-654de) which I chose after trawling through the overlocker recommendation posts on here. At the time I paid £425 for it new. It is currently outwith your price range, but it has a sibling, 644DE (https://www.franknutt.co.uk/overlockers/juki-overlockers/juki-mo-644d-overlocker) which is close. The only difference between the two machines is that a couple of controls are inside the machine on the 644, so you have to open the cover to adjust them. I haven't used those in the time I've had the machine so could have saved some money!
It's a real workhorse, produces a good stitch without any fiddling about and deserves the good recommendations it gets.
I don't like freearms and never use them.
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@Kayfersmum its very difficult to advise about machines. Everyone has different ideas and preferences. But I have used both Jaguar and Husqvarnas along with many others and taught people how to use them. There is a learning curve to an overlocker. I’ve been using them for over 25 years.
You have to decide what is important to you. Ease of use and threading? Stitch quality? TBH as a first timer I would always go for ease of use and threading. I know people who don’t use their machines because it’s a faff to change threads or they don’t know what to do when one breaks etc etc.
My sewing machine is Husqvarna but I wouldn’t have one of their overlockers. They aren’t made by Husqvarna but Toyota I believe. There is nothing wrong with them but they don’t 'sound' as good as some. Sounds daft I know. :) But I think other people on here will know what I mean. They are not the easiest machines to thread. The Jaguar on the other hand pleasantly surprised me when I had to do a lesson on one of those although I don’t think it was this model. The front opens up completely and gives you easy access to the loopers. Genius! This one also has a thread cutter on the needle plate. Not essential but a nice little touch. I also found it made a nice stitch and sounded nice.
If you can get to a shop to try machines out that is always the best idea. However in these times that’s not always possible. Just be careful where you buy it from.
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I’ve had a Bernette for 30 years... made by Juki so I’d go with Juki....unless you can splash out for a Babylock.
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I've been using my Janome overlocker for a long time but I've never had a need for a free arm. In the situation where you'd normally use a free arm on a sewing machine (ie a sleeve cuff or similar) I simply sew from the inside of the sleeve. Same with any other small, hard-to-get-at areas. :)
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Yes - someone on here ( @Ploshkin ?) calls it 'sewing in the teacup'.
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@Ohsewsimple thank you, that’s very helpful. I keep being drawn to the Jaguar overlockers.
I’m mostly housebound so getting out is difficult under normal circumstances. We’re in Tier 4 so almost impossible now
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Yes - someone on here ( @Ploshkin ?) calls it 'sewing in the teacup'.
I like the sound of that! :drink:
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I got mine from Sewing Machines Direct and they were great. I used the live chat function a couple of times before ordering, and I remember saying something like "If I contact you when I have it saying 'Help, I have no idea what I'm doing', will you advise me?" They assured me they would, but I had no problems at all, so I didn't need to.
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Great. I’ll do the same. Feeling happier now I have a (sort of) plan in place! x
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I've never sewn in a teacup.
I have had an Elna 664 for several years, recommended by my elderly sewing machine shop man - I trust his recommendations implicitly. It has never had a hiccup, and tension is always perfect.
I don't actually find free arms particularly useful. Whatever you put over it needs to be loose enough to be able to move the fabric round easily without pulling or stretching it which means that it doesn't help at all for small circumferences. I've recently used my OL to put cuffs on a small child's sweatshirt. A free arm wouldn't have helped at all because I would have had to stretch the sleeve to go over it.
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I'd also say stay away from the Huskylock. I've had a Brother for 31 years, they are very easy to thread which is MORE than half the battle.
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Yes - someone on here ( @Ploshkin ?) calls it 'sewing in the teacup'.
I've never sewn in a teacup.
It was @Kad !! :facepalm:
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I’ve never felt the need for a free arm either. I’ve been putting cuffs on long tee shirt sleeves for 1 yr old grandson. That’s more like sewing in an egg cup never mind tea cup! :)
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Yes - the first time I wanted to use the free arm on my normal sewing machine I found it was too big for the sleeve I was hemming. I reckon that an adult sized sleeve doesn't need a free arm, and by the time a sleeve is small enough to properly benefit from one the free arm is too big for it. :facepalm:
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I'm afraid I don't know anything about any other overlockers except my brother 3034, which I find is great. It's done all sorts, from mostly jersey, via very thin stuff, through to fleece. It whizzes along noisily, but maybe they are all noisy, I don't know, and it's dead simple to thread.
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Like @Ohsewsimple I've worked with several brands and models of overlocker .
My view is that Juki is hands down the best value for money for the build and performance of the overlocker machines on offer at all 3 price point levels.
Across other brands, many of the mid-range are okay and all brands are okay at the top end.
At the lower price points, all brands overlockers have smaller motors and tend to be built down to a price rather than up to a specification for a robust machine with precision engineering. They are intended for lightweight to medium fabrics and are not designed to be workhorses. For lots of people, what these machines can manage is all they want.
At the middle level price points overlockers from all brands are generally better built, reliably produce a good stitch and can withstand heavier use.
At the top end, the overlockers from all brands are usually well built, produce precision stitches and have bigger more powerful motors. Price across the brands can vary a lot.
My view differs about the Jaguar and other machines that open up both sides at the front. When overlocking, there are some starting and ending techniques that involve disengaging the cutting knife whilst the work is under the needle. On this type of machine, the user has to go under the work, open up the side of the machine, twist the knife out of the way and then close the door again before continuing to stitch. It's a PITA to have to do this, and in my view does not trade off against the open up for threading arrangement. Most users can very quickly master the threading of their machines. Also I find the Jaguars and similar machines can be rather noisy but so can some other models.
There are pros and cons for different overlocker models. We all start somewhere and with practice we get used to our first machine.
If its possible, then do try out some models at a shop.
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Can I add my vote to the 'you don't need a free arm' pile? I have a fairly basic 4-thread Janome bought for £150 or £200 (can't remember!) 20 years ago and it's a real workhorse in use on a daily basis. To my mind ease of threading is the main thing. Mine is not particularly easy to thread - it took me a while to realise to thread from right to left ( i.e. loopers first). When I change threads I snip the old thread, tie on the new thread and sew it through. If the tie comes undone then I have to thread that one manually. When I replace this overlocker I'll definitely go for one that's easy to thread.
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I've had both Brother 4234D and Juki MO-1000 - both top of the line at the time. There was a big price difference but it was the build quality and stitch quality that was the most immediate difference and the cheapest Jukis share that too but sadly none of them are within your budget. I soon knew I was going to be using my overlocker a lot so I upgraded in less than a year. If I were in your situation knowing what I know now, I'd look for a used Juki or Bernina 4 years old or more (when they were made by Juki). They are so robust they make an excellent used buy, the best value for money you'll get imo.
If you really don't want a used machine I'd try out a Janome but I suspect their lowest budget priced models are more similar in build quality to Brother than Juki. Bernina is out of course and Bernette don't make any within your budget either, I'm afraid.
Don't get me wrong, my Brother gave acceptable results but the body was worryingly flexible, the plastic parts felt flimsy, it felt as though it had more play in movement and the vibration and noise were bad, especially for their top machine. It's just above your budget in price too.
Sorry to be so negative but I think if you can try out the different machines you will see and feel why I'm advocating buying a used Juki (or Bernina or high spec Janome) rather than a brand spanking new one with a longer guarantee.
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I have a Bernina Bernette 800DL, it's identical to Bernina 800DL. Bought used around 10 years ago it was part of an Ebay purchase so not purchased specifically. It has been used by me lots and has needed nothing but new needles and still performs exceptionally well.
Already had a Babylock Evolve which I sold on because I preferred the 800DL.
Don't shy away from purchasing a used machine, if you do your homework there are some real bargains to be had.
Mike (Tiggersew from old TSF) has quite an old Toyota and he finds it very suitable for his needs despite its age and its relative simplicity.
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@Kayfersmum
My sewing machine is Husqvarna but I wouldn’t have one of their overlockers. They aren’t made by Husqvarna but Toyota I believe.
When I bought my overlocker about three years ago I expected to at least try a Husqvarna but the local shop didn't stock them, although they had Husqvarna sewing machines. I was told that they didn't think the Husqvarna overlockers were much good! I came away with a Bernina and have been very pleased with it (but a bit over the £350 budget).
Interesting that Husqvrna overlockers are made by Toyota - I was replacing an ancient 3 thread Toyota overlocker which sounded like a bag of bolts and was a pig to thread.
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Something else I'd add of and it's only my personal experience with overlockers.
Mine (Brother) which I've had for 30 years (I have another much newer Brother as a standby) is not computerised. Right from the start, when I was probably only neatening off woven hems of all thicknesses, I found that it is a 'flying by the seat of your pants' experience and a computerised setting (I used a Huskylock and didn't care for it) does not always give a satisfactory stitch and for me it's a case of moving perhaps one of the dials just a little to get it right. I then make a sample with the 3 or 4 settings on a card for if I'll use it again (eg lining fabric, which is not an easy one!)
The cheaper models are not computerised but for me it wouldn't be a must have. More often than not I can set the dials to 'normal' and put a piece of fabric under and the stitch is fine. Don't over complicate things especially as you have a lovely regular sewing machine @Kayfersmum.
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I have a Bernina 800DL which I love and is made by Juki but I think another company now makes Bernina overlockers. I’ve heard good reports of both Janome and Brother machines and the prices are reasonable. Babylocks are lovely but are so expensive.
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I have a Brother 4234D and find it's absolutely fine for everything I've ever used it for, toweling, jersey tops, sweatshirt fabric etc.
I know it's noisier than my sewing maching but don't feel it's that loud.
I find it pretty easy to thread.
The above said, it is the only overlocker I've ever used so have nothing to compare it against.
Am I happy with it - yes.
Would I like one of the air threading Juki - Oh Yes!