What is the difference between a sewing machine and an overlock sewing machine?

Sewing machines, commonly known as flat seamer, are typically used for the joining of fabric layers from the top to the bottom, often creating straight seams. Modern multifunction sewing machines feature a variety of decorative stitches. When equipped with an overcast foot, they can produce a simple overlocking function with a "zig-zag" type stitch.

Professionally speaking, a sewing machine uses one or more sewing threads to form one or several types of stitches on fabric, interweaving or joining one or more layers of material together. Sewing machines can sew through fabrics like cotton, linen, silk, wool, synthetic fibers, as well as leather, plastic, and paper products, creating neat, beautiful, and sturdy stitches. They are fast, easy to use, and vastly improve the efficiency of sewing.

Overlock sewing machines, also known as sergers or edging machines, are utilized for the edging of various fabrics. Since most fabrics tend to fray after cutting, it is necessary to overlock the edges to prevent the fabric from unraveling before completing the finished product.

◆Suitable for knitted fabrics

Overlock machines are most suitable for knitted fabrics mainly made of cotton, polyester, and cotton-polyester yarn. These fabrics are characterized by their soft texture, higher elasticity, breathability, ability to absorb sweat, comfort, and casual style, as well as a personal touch. Knitted fabrics also feature fraying, curling, and tendencies to pill, which requires special processes in garment sewing production, hence the indispensability of overlock machines next to flatbed machines.

◆Overlocking:

Overlocking is the process of sewing the edges of fabric. As knitted materials consist of interconnected loops, the edges of cut garment pieces easily fray, so it is important to overlock these edges, commonly termed "edging," before proceeding with further sewing with a flatbed machine. Flatbed and overlock machines are the primary types for sewing knitted garments.

◆Overlock stitches:

Overlock stitches are created by interlacing several sewing threads around the edges of the material. The number of threads used in the stitch is indicated by the name (single-thread overlocking, double-thread overlocking…up to six-thread overlocking). The feature of these stitches is to encapsulate the fabric edges to prevent fraying. When the seam is stretched, there can be a certain degree of transfer between the top and bottom threads, giving the seam better elasticity.

Some overlock sewing machines include the capability for flat& lock machines. There are also machines dedicated to interlocking.

Interlock machine is primarily used in the cuffs and hems of knitted clothing (and less commonly at the neckline). The top side has two or three straight stitches, while the underside has a zig-zag chain-like pattern. the seams are characterized by their strength, good stretchability, and even finish, which helps to prevent the edges of the fabric from fraying. Rolled hems, collars, folded edges, coverstitched seams, and decorative trims typically employ coverstitching, which offers both high strength and elasticity as well as a neat finish.

If you mainly use woven (plain woven) fabrics, a sewing machine should suffice. You could prevent the fabric from fraying at the edges with a hemming foot. At most, an overcasting foot may be added. For clothing creation, consider adding a zipper foot, blind stitch foot, or button sewing foot. For home goods, you might think about an additional pleating foot, cording foot, or embroidery foot.

For those who enjoy making knitwear, an overlock machine is essential. An interlock machine can be optional firstly. You can overlock before using a flatbed machine. However, when using the flatbed machine, be sure to switch to a ballpoint needle to prevent skipping stitches and fabric damage. Also, adjust the thread tension as well as the stitch width and length appropriately.

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