I love the overlock stitch too; such an easy way to give inside seams a more polished look to a project AND of course prevent fraying fabric and potential unwanted loose threads. Pinked edges are so cute when raw edges are on the outside of a project, like a fabric lid on a mason jar with a comparitively small circle to cut. But for a very long and straight edge, I have to use a rotary cutter with a "pinked" rotary blade due to carpel tunnel syndrome in both my wrists. Pinked edges or an overlock stitch are perfect when making duvet covers also. I prefer the French seam on bed pillowcases, but will certain use an overlock stick for covers for throw pillows.
Hi Monica, what a great idea. I bought an overlockers when I first started sewing because I understood that certain seams in garments would be stronger with an overlockers. As none of my family would admit their size I gave up sewing garments and switched to quilting in May 2016. I also love craft work and it didn't occur to me to overlock the seams on my cushions. Rather than an overlockers I should have bought a brain. I am very pleased that I came across you on RU-vid as your explanations are very clear. I look forward to seeing more of your tutorials. Most of the tutorials are based in the USA. Is that the case with you? If so I say hi from the UK
Use pinking shears and/or French seams, just as Monica suggested. Plus, you can also hand sew with a blanket stitch or add a rolled hem. You can stabilize the fabric with Fray Check or iron on stabilizer if fraying is a material issue With synthetics you can CAREFULLY singe the edges with a flame. Another option is to choose fabrics that do not easily fray, such as most knits. BTW, if you have low shank multi-stitch sewing machine, an overcast foot is relatively inexpensive. If you don't have at least a zig-zag machine, as Bev M mentioned, Walmart usually has zig-zag + stitch machines for less than $100. Often thrift type stores and craigslist have used one for much less.
Wish you could have done a close up on the foot and on what does it look like on the sewing machine for a overcasting stich. I am new and still don't know all the settings or terms.
Nice, but next time please show a contrasting colour between thread and fabric so we could see the actual stitch, as when they're nearly the same it's impossible to see it properly!
I made a dress and cute the raw edges with pinking sheers. It all looked great, but when I washed it the zig zags started fraying still. Any suggestions? :)
I love the latter result! Can you tell me what your stitch width and length settings were when you used the overcasting stitch? Thank you so much for your very helpful tutorials!
Start out with suggested setting for your machine. Experiment with the same fabric scraps that you'll be using for your project. These settings can vary based on the type fabric being used. Hope this helps.
Does this work for costume satin? I'm new to sewing and I am making a princess skirt for my 4 yr old out of costume satin and boy does it fray like crazy.
I love your voice and desire to help us, but unless you have someone that can zoom into the part you're showing us, or how something looks as you're sewing it, no we cannot see it.
Had no problem seeing, as she was sewing, nor the finished results. For a more detailed look at the foot, itself, google -- sewing machine overcast foot -- If your machine didn't come with one, there are a number of sites that sell this foot with variations that fit many (most?) multi-stitch machines.
Instructions on a dress don't help with selvege edges, a nice dress and unfinished selvege edge after sewing look ugly. I cannot sew now my machine won't finish it, it eats everything to close to edge.
