The Sewing Place

Machine Talk => Overlockers & Coverstitchers => Topic started by: Farrener on March 04, 2019, 10:58:18 AM

Title: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: Farrener on March 04, 2019, 10:58:18 AM
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
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: toileandtrouble on March 04, 2019, 11:22:01 AM
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.
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: BrendaP on March 04, 2019, 11:46:50 AM
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.
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: Morgan on March 04, 2019, 12:00:58 PM
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.novatrimmings.co.uk/product-category/sewing-thread/page/2/?flpaging=1)


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

Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: So Chic on March 04, 2019, 12:06:16 PM
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.
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: wrenkins on March 04, 2019, 12:14:06 PM
Just when you think you're getting a handle on things...another rabbit hole!
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: Efemera on March 04, 2019, 12:21:31 PM
I use any old thing... same with the coverstitch, never had a problem.
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: Greybird on March 04, 2019, 12:38:49 PM
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.
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: wrenkins on March 04, 2019, 12:44:03 PM
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.  0_0 That makes perfect sense, even to me. The rest...not so much.  :S A bit more reading and practising to do methinks until my OL becomes indispensable!
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: coffeeandcake on March 04, 2019, 13:31:13 PM
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.
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: Flobear on March 04, 2019, 14:17:48 PM
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.
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: Farrener on March 04, 2019, 17:59:21 PM
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.

Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on March 04, 2019, 20:02:12 PM
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  0_0
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: Morgan on March 04, 2019, 21:33:55 PM
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/ (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/ (https://www.novatrimmings.co.uk/product/14-gingham-dress-fabric-sale/)[/size]
- all sorts of zips too.
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: HenriettaMaria on March 04, 2019, 22:12:50 PM
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.
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: BrendaP on March 04, 2019, 23:30:37 PM
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  0_0
Moon thread will work in the overlocker, but it is significantly thicker than the regular SewAll thread, let alone the cheap cones of poly thread sold for overlocking.
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: b15erk on March 05, 2019, 09:22:06 AM
I too use anything to hand in the OL.  Neither of mine are fussy.  I got most of my OL cones/cops secondhand as part used, or from charity shops.  I rarely have to buy overlocker thread, and usually mix and match it (except the LH needle).

An exception is the latest Poppins frock, where I need hot pink stand out hems.

Jessie

Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: SkoutSews on March 05, 2019, 10:38:35 AM
Lidl do overlocker thread from time to time and I now have all their colours, collected over a few years.  It's very reasonably priced and runs through my machine with no problems.

It's easy enough to even out the usage over time, just put the cones with the least thread on the needles and those with the most on the loopers.
Title: Re: New Overlocker Best Thread
Post by: Helen M on March 05, 2019, 12:49:24 PM
I only buy 2 cones of overlock thread apart from white, black and grey. For the rest I fill old metal sewing machine bobbins to use in the needles. As has been said they use far less than the loopers.

I do the same thing with the coverstitch from one ordinary reel of matching thread. Haven't had any problems on either machine.