The Sewing Place

Machine Talk => Overlockers & Coverstitchers => Topic started by: Lincoln hobbit on October 03, 2019, 17:09:55 PM

Title: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Lincoln hobbit on October 03, 2019, 17:09:55 PM
Lidl has some Singer overlockers for £129. I've heard good reports from a friend who has bought one before. Just thought someone might be interested.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Ohsewsimple on October 03, 2019, 17:29:18 PM
As someone who has given or attempted to give lessons on these things I would advise anyone to leave them alone.  If you’re lucky they work.   However,  many of them I got my hands on would not sew a decent stitch regardless of what I did to it.  Many of the people I saw actually ended up taking them back and getting a refund.   More trouble than they’re worth.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: b15erk on October 03, 2019, 17:32:41 PM
I got one and I'm happy with it, although I did take the first one back.  It is a second machine though and doesn't get a lot of use.

Lidl were very good about refunding the first one.

Jessie
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: annieeg on October 03, 2019, 22:53:50 PM
A friend who sews for a living said it didn't hold up to frequent use and ended up replacing it.  I agree with @Francesca that it's fine for a beginner to use as a learning curve but IMO a better quality one will give more value for money in the longer term
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Kidneydish on October 11, 2019, 14:17:20 PM
I have wanted an overlocker for ages but couldn't justify the spend for a machine so was super pleased at a machine for the price. When I went to thread it the machine made a horrible noise and wouldn't play at all. I rang Lidl who told me that Singer had to replace it. However, Singer told me that they only did repairs. Which was fine by me. Their service was fantastic. I rang them on Monday the machine was collected on Tuesday and returned to me on Friday in full working order.

So far so good. This is perfect for me to see how much I am going to use it before investing in a better quality machine and have have booked onto an overlocker class to learn more.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Ohsewsimple on October 11, 2019, 14:24:33 PM
Sounds like Lidl were passing the buck.  Your contract was with them and they should have dealt with it for you.  But it’s done and working now so that’s all good.  If you have got it to make a decent stitch then you’re lucky.  Have fun playing with it. 
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Vezelay on October 11, 2019, 15:53:29 PM
That seems to be Lidl policy now. Himself took a faulty brand new electric saw straight back to them and because they'd none left they wanted him to send it off to the manufacturers "for repair". After making a fuss and refusing to take no for an answer he got a refund. No saw though.

You can buy an entry level Brother or Janome overlocker for under £200 so I know those are what I'd suggest if someone asked me. I've kind of "outgrown" mine now so maybe next year I'll get something fancier...

Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Morgan on October 12, 2019, 13:20:54 PM
Lost post again - grrrrr.  haven't time to write it again - essence of my advice is -

Don't, please don't.  Buy a better quality model second hand with the money instead if budget is an issue. 
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Shelley on October 16, 2019, 07:50:00 AM
I bought one a few years ago and it was awful.  I ended up getting a second hand bernina on Ebay and it is fantastic! My advice is don't waste your money.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: WildAtlanticWay on November 02, 2019, 13:42:46 PM
I’ve had mine for a couple of years and it works fine for what I need. I’m sure I’ll upgrade and get a better one in time but there are no sewing shops nearby so buying secondhand is just as risky.

Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Greybird on November 02, 2019, 14:08:01 PM
As I posted elsewhere a few days ago, there was an overlocker session last Tuesday at the sewing group I have just started going to. Three of the other ladies had new overlockers they ad recently bought at Lidl's. I said nothing!
Two of them were fine and actually stitched better than mine, The third one though was completely locked up - the handwheel wouldn't move at all. The owner left early to return it to Lidl's.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Kidneydish on December 17, 2019, 13:15:36 PM
I take it back, the bloomin (far politer than the word I want to type) thing has gone wrong again and will only work in the rolled hem mode. It's going back!! wish me luck with my refund especially at this time of year. Recommendations gratefully received, I want to be able to grow with my machine as I now know I am going to get loads of use out of it.  I have a Juki sewing machine that I love.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Celia on December 17, 2019, 13:53:35 PM
Sorry to hear that but this is what I have come across with Lidl Overlockers, I hope you don’t have a problem getting refund
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Ohsewsimple on December 17, 2019, 14:13:59 PM
You should be okay getting a refund.  With all the people I’ve told to return them I’ve never had anyone say they had a problem.  If you don’t have a lot of money to spend then look at a Janome or Brother.  I would say second hand but you don’t get a lot of those.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: SkoutSews on December 17, 2019, 16:26:24 PM
My first overlocker was a Singer from Lidl and I was one of the lucky ones, it served me very well and was a good entry-level machine. I upgraded a year ago to the Juki MO 654DE and it's great. I think of it as the Mighty Midget! I got a show discount at the time. If you're patient there could be some deals in the New Year.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Kidneydish on December 18, 2019, 13:48:10 PM
Thanks all - I'm going to go Juki when I've got my refund.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: WildAtlanticWay on February 25, 2020, 17:59:19 PM
Thanks all - I'm going to go Juki when I've got my refund.

What did you buy in the end?
I’ve just sold my Lidl Singer (still working ok) and bought a basic model Brother Overlocker.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: HooliganHeart on November 17, 2020, 14:32:15 PM
 :thinking: I recently bought a Singer here in Canada and curious as to what model you're all speaking about.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: SkoutSews on November 17, 2020, 15:35:07 PM
@HooliganHeart my Lidl overlocker was a Singer 14SH754. It was my first try with an overlocker and it was a good entry-level machine at £99.

After 5 or 6 years I decided to upgrade, sold it on gumtree and bought a Juki MO 654DE.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: jintie on November 17, 2020, 18:12:15 PM
My (expensive at the time, about 15 years ago) Bernina 1300DC overlocker, is a Juki. I found this out when I looked for an online demo to change it to coverstitch.
They were just labelled differently.
For the record, it is a Rolls Royce machine for overlocking, but a complete b*&^s d to change over!
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: HooliganHeart on November 18, 2020, 06:04:31 AM
@HooliganHeart my Lidl overlocker was a Singer 14SH754. It was my first try with an overlocker and it was a good entry-level machine at £99.

After 5 or 6 years I decided to upgrade, sold it on gumtree and bought a Juki MO 654DE.

Much thanks, I recently got the 14CG744 model and I'll be happy if I get 5yrs out of it  :thumbsup: Not as scary as I thought these over lockers. Again, thanks.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Celia on November 18, 2020, 08:43:35 AM
My (expensive at the time, about 15 years ago) Bernina 1300DC overlocker, is a Juki. I found this out when I looked for an online demo to change it to coverstitch.
They were just labelled differently.
For the record, it is a Rolls Royce machine for overlocking, but a complete b*&^s d to change over!

I agree it is probably the worse one I have come across to change over, I eventually sold mine and now have a baby lock but I did buy the Bernina 1150 which is the overlocker only equivalent of the 1300 and I still love it especially for rolled hems.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: b15erk on November 18, 2020, 09:32:29 AM
I've had the Lidl overlocker for some time now, and I'm happy with it.  I bought it so that I could leave my O/L=Coverstitch machine set up, and it's done the job.

Yes it's a bit basic, but I don't want to do anything fancy with it, and it produces a good stitch. It also isn't fussy about thread.

Jessie
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Morgan on November 19, 2020, 09:32:41 AM
As someone who has given or attempted to give lessons on these things I would advise anyone to leave them alone.  If you’re lucky they work.   However,  many of them I got my hands on would not sew a decent stitch regardless of what I did to it.  Many of the people I saw actually ended up taking them back and getting a refund.   More trouble than they’re worth.
Same here.  My heart sinks when someone brings one in to class,  by that time frustrated and upset, you know the rest. 
Not just the Lidl machines - the economy model Singers and other similar builds.  The users spend more time trying to get an acceptable stitch than using it on the real thing.
It's not nice to see their hopes of nice, tidy finishes and sewing lovely knit fabric outfits for their kids, wither away when they get a less than decent result.



Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: Morgan on November 19, 2020, 09:35:57 AM
I agree it is probably the worse one I have come across to change over, I eventually sold mine and now have a baby lock but I did buy the Bernina 1150 which is the overlocker only equivalent of the 1300 and I still love it especially for rolled hems.
Ditto, although now I'd buy the Juki Models before the Babylock or Bernina 1150.  The Jukis were not available when I got mine after selling the1300.
Title: Re: Lidl overlockers
Post by: HooliganHeart on February 08, 2021, 20:18:25 PM
Just an update on my Singer 14CG744 Overlocker which has been used almost daily for the last 3 months or so.

My only complaints so far with it;
1. Vibrates and moves around on table surface when run at full speed. At ½ to ¾ speed, it's fine.
2. Really noisy in my opinion but to be expected with the plastic body and price point.
3. Talking of plastic...attracts a lot of static electricity  :rant:

Also the free arm is quite useless to be honest but do i really need it...i think not.

 :thinking: I'll run this until it breaks then most likely replace with a vintage Industrial machine.

I would still recommend the machine at the price  :thumbsup: