Overlock for sewing machines

Not a mock-overlock stitch and not a zig-zag, this attachment makes a proper overlock stitch with two additional threads, incorporating a real sewn stitch into it. Rubylock overlock attachment really allows you to sew and overlock in one operation, and it works even on old straight stitch machines. Ruby is trade mark of Toyo Seiki…

Live long and prosper, Overlocker

"Always buy quality" is an excellent rule, if you have the money for it. But sometimes you just have to make do with what you can afford, and buy a cheap overlocker instead of a durable one. Dan just shared his experience with an inexpensive overlocker Brother 1034D which he bought second hand - in…

Stitches that stretch with your jersey

Snap... snap-snap-snap! There go your stitches if you've sewn your jersey top with a regular straight stitch on your sewing machine. 😦 Surely, there must be a better way! Yes, there are in fact several. In this post I'm investigating which stitches stretch with the jersey and which don't, using regular sewing thread, not lycra…

The third overlocker

It took a third overlocker to sort out the second. Not as a doner of parts, but of ideas. After my overlocker trials with AEG 760 versus New Home 743 (both Juki), I kept wondering why the AEG behaved so strangely (with correct needles, it favoured thin needles for thick fabric - quite illogical). Plus,…

A tale of two overlockers

My trusted overlocker is a 1970s New Home Knitlock 743 made by Juki. The label says "Made in Japan for Janome", that's for, not by. It is extremely reliable, sews all kinds of fabrics with a minimal adjustment. However, to do a rolled hem, it requires a different needle plate and a special foot, and I…

Sewing jersey with chain stitch

Single thread chain stitch is the original knitted stitch, so it's perfect for sewing knitwear and jersey. In the world of knitting machines, chain stitchers are known as linkers. Skip to Essex chain stitchers Skip to Chain stitch on lockstitch machines Skip to Sewing examples Drooling alert Back in the world of sewing machines, there…