Finish Edges of Fabric: Overcast Stitch (Sewing for Beginners) 

Wonderful news! Glad I could help you.

I have a 930 too! It’s a beautiful machine. 😊

:-))

Yay! 💖

I am so pleased I could help Eliette. I wish you all the best. This is very exciting. :-))

Yes. I just got me a sewing machine a few days ago to start for my clothing line 😁. I'm so excited and happy I found this video as well

Just remember that people may not want to buy clothes with finishings such as the zigzag. So zigzag 6our seams, then add a lining as well to keep it out sight as well as adding structure, comfort and modesty to your garments.

Thank you Marion. Glad you like them. Aneka xx

Thank you so much. Aneka x

I'm so pleased it was helpful and I hope you are able to put your costume piece back together securely. Have fun!

I'm pleased it was helpful.

I talked about what stitch to do: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KAUoD0F1X48.html and how to finish the edges of seam: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8maQ11e1zV0.html is this what you mean? Let me know. Aneka x

You can do either really. I generally teach first, as I do think it's easier. But you must make sure that you don't adjust the size of the seam allowances (like use an overlocker / serger and cut some away). Afterwards is also ok, and it means you don't effect your seam allowances, but I agree it can be more tricky. I would give it a try first. 😊

Thanks so much. So pleased. Aneka xx

Amazing Eva, so pleased I could help. Aneka x

Thanks so much. I appreciate your comment. Aneka x

I am launching some online classes on my website www.madetosew.com next week. Aneka x

Thank you so much. ❤️ Aneka xx

It was just the manual that came with my machine. 😀

@@MadetoSew LOL I read through the comments to see if this question was asked and got so excited haha and it's not even a book. Do you have a book that would have information like this or recommend one for a beginner seamstress? Also I'd like to add a big thank you. I'm glad you are you and you do what you do, keep it up!

Thank you Linda. Aneka x

I am so sorry, thats a really good point. Happy to email you a picture of what it looks like on my machine if that helps? Drop me an email info@madetosew.com. It can look a little different on makes and models of machines so it might be good to check your manual too. Happy to help. Aneka x

Thanks Estelle, I had planned to run some this month and next but they have been cancelled because of covid. keep a look out on my website for more. Aneka x

Thank you. It is a difficult one and really depends on the method your prefer. I think it is easier to use the overcast foot once you have sewn the garment together, partly because if the foot turns under any of the fabric you won't loose your correct seam allowance. If you have the seam allowance changing because of the overcast stitch then this can be a problem when you go to sew the seam. Does that make sense? Aneka

Yes, makes sense and I have been doing it your way mostly, so I will continue with that. Thank you.

@@dancetoday542 My pleasure.

Glad you made that point - I did wonder about keeping that extra inch ( or whatever ) in a seam - when we're always told to reduce bulk. The process you described makes more sense to me.

It's a Bernina 350 model.

Yes Bernina 350. Thanks Dina :-)).

Hello Sareena, you will need a overcast foot, I would try and find one on the internet that is designed for your machine. Or ask in a sewing machine shop. You may find that you already have one, depending on how many feet came with your machine.

Yes it can. The buttonholes are really good for the price. My more expensive Bernina 790 does them better (but it’s super costly compared to this machine). Most of the Bernina machines I have used do good buttonholes and blind hems.

Thank you. So lovely to have you join us here. X

Hi Stacy, when I am overlocking knits together I generally press towards the back. I hope that helps? Aneka x

Thank you, that is very kind.

Glad I could help.

Amazing. Glad you got there!

Thanks Gavin.

Thank you.

Hi Alex, yes you can do that. You could also try a flat locked seam if you have an overlocker / serger. In terms of finishing the top and the bottom you can back stitch but will need to probably finish the edges with binding or a lining?

Yes of course. I have a top I need to finish with this. xx

@@MadetoSew very kind of you 😍thanks Aneka😘

Thank you Laura, I'm glad it was helpful.

Thank you.

Hello, I don't know the manual for your specific machine says or the stitches that are available. Have a look in the manual for overcast stitch. But you will be able to do the zigzag. Aneka

Yes you can use a zigzag foot, you may find that can curl the edge of the fabric more than the overcast foot. Just test it on the fabric that you are using. Aneka :-))

thank you so much

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you!

Usually it is different, but it depends on your machine. With 3 different brands my overcast feet look completely different! The Overcast (Overlock) Foot on my Bernina is very different to what I would use for edge joining, there isn't really a clear guide for joining 2 layers of fabric. Often the overcast feet have the bulk of the foot on one side, rather than the centre of the foot sitting on the centre of the join of the fabric. I haven't tried to use the other one for the other activity, so I can't comment on that. Hope this helps? Aneka

@@MadetoSew Thanks so much.

Thanks

Thanks Maria.

Thank you. Aneka x

U are so beautiful

Oh no! Sorry to worry you. I actually put my fingers quite close to the needle and the fabric when I am sewing. You will see this in factories on industrial machines too. You learn to trust yourself and the sewing machine, and as long as you are in control of the foot pedal you shouldn't have an issue. I have never sewn myself and I have been sewing all my life. Obviously I wouldn't teach someone to put their hands close - it comes with practise and confidence and you don't do it all the time. Only with tricky fabrics, or in these videos if I am showing something. I have been teaching for 7 years and luckily never had any of my students have an accident yet. Just be cautious and aware of what you are doing I guess. Thank you, Aneka :-))

Glad it was helpful!

Hi Amber, you can't really backstitch very far with the overcast foot. Because the threads are being built over the little bar on the foot, they can get bunched up. One or two stitches backwards can work, but not more really. I would change your stitch back to a straight stitch and either back stitch with a straight stitch at the start and the end using the normal length (2-2.5mm), or you could even turn the length to 0mm and sew on top of the stitching a few times. If you are overcasting an edge that is going to be sewn across. For example you are overcasting a side seam of a skirt. And you are going to sew across the top of the this seam (with the normal straight stitch), to attach a waistband, and the bottom for the hem. You don't really need to backstitch because it will be secured by the other seam. BUT for somewhere like around the hem where you won't be fixing it with another seam I would try and secure the overcasting, with a small backstitch or use the straight stitch tip like i suggested above. I hope this helps? Aneka

@@MadetoSew You don't need to change the foot to do that? thanks

@@dancetoday542 Hi Marilyn, you could change your foot, but it would probably be a bit of a pain to take it on and off to backstitch. I would just limit the backstitch if you are going to sew over that seam anyway. Aneka

Ha Ha! I always wonder if I need to say it :-))! But then someone could be watching for the first time? What do you think? :-))

Hi Vee, it could be a number of things. Double check the machine is threaded correctly, and then have a play with the tension. And check that you have a fresh needle in. Try that and let me know. Aneka x

I have this video on presser feet: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TfTwK7E_3CQ.html does this help? I am planning a more detailed one, but I need to borrow some feed. Yes the Janome 2200 xt is a great place to start, perfect for a beginner. Aneka x