When sewing it is important to first stitch the edges of the fabric to stop it from fraying. This is called over-locking the edges and can be done with two types of stitches.
- Overlock Stitch
- Zig-zag Stitch
How to overlock fabric edges for beginners guide
Usually an over-locker sewing machine would be used to trim and stitch the edges of fabric. There are pros and cons to using an overlocker machine:
- Overlocker Machine – Overlockers trim and stitch the edges of fabric, to give it a tidy and professional finish.
- Over-lockers are expensive and can be hard to thread-up. Yet they are a good investment if you are doing a lot of sewing.
How to Overlock Fabric without a Overlocker Machine
There are other ways to over-lock fabric when you don’t have a over-locker machine:
- Pinking Shears – Pinking shears can be used to slow fraying or on fabrics that don’t fray such as felts or stretch fabrics.
- Zig-Zag Stitch – The simplest way for beginners to do this is by zig-zag stitching the edges.
- Hand-stitch – Hand-sewing can be relaxing and a good alternative to purchasing an over-locker machine. Use blanket stitch to overlock the edge of fabric by hand-stitching.
How to zig-zag stitch overlock fabric edges
Using a zig-zag setting on a domestic machine, will stop the edges fraying. Yet for a more professional look an over-locker machine is necessary.
To use zig-zag stitches to overlock fabric edges, change machine settings use:
- 2- 3 Stitch Length
- 3- 4 Stitch Width
Stitch close to fabric edge, without stitching over-edge of fabric. You can also use an overedge/ overcast foot, to overlock fabric on a domestic sewing machine.
How to Overlock Stretch Fabric
When over-locking the edges of stretch fabrics, zig-zag stitch and overlocker stitch can be used to seal edges.
- Overlock stitches can be used to join two pieces of stretch fabric together, without overlocking the fabric pieces first.
- If using over stitch to join two pieces of stretchy fabric. The seam allowance will needs to be reduced to 0.5cm, as the fabric will be stitched along the edge.
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