Overlockers

I have never heard of Jaguar. I have an older Janome overlocker and have been busy making small lined zip bags. It has taken me a while to get to grips with overlocking the nylon zips on but definitely worth the time. My zips are 12 inch and bought in a big mixed colour bag so my material has to be about 8 inch or smaller when putting on the zip as the blade cuts through the zip. It's not good when I forget to open the zip and I cut off the pull end. My overlocker is not air threaded which would be a bonus but threading them becomes easier every time and the challenge is to get the tensions set correctly for your project so you rarely have to re-thread. It is worth taking the time to produce a sewn chart of different tensions and using different coloured threads so you can see where the problem is. There is a tutorial on Youtube. Yes they do take some getting used to but I wouldn't be without mine but I think you still need a sewing machine as well. If you are buying one make sure it is air threaded as the threading is done for you but it may cost a bit more.

I have a Bernina 800DL and it does everything I ask of it. I believe they were made by Juki for Bernina.

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I've seen these machines and admire those of you who can thread and use them.
It's as much as I can do to change the threads and thread up my basic Singer - takes me about 10 minutes.
I'm sure it was easier with my Gran's old hand machine, with the boat shuttle.

Yes take the needle out otherwise you'll get holes in your fabric.

Thank you! (I also love cheese.)

Rubysong My manual says to physically remove the other needle. so that is what I have done and it has worked o.k. I'm not sure that domestic overlockers ever give as good a finish as industrial ones though. But good enough.

I bought a Lidl (Singer) overlocker but haven't really got to grips with changing stitches etc. Please can I ask a really daft question? When changing from 4 thread to 3 or 2 thread do I physically remove the other needle or just unthread it. The handbook isn't very clear about it.

... and there I was thnking of over lockers in aeroplanes!

I am on my 3rd overlocker and can say you get what you pay for. The cheaper ones are a nightmare to thread . It's worth going on a short overlocker course to learn to get the most out of it. I love mine now and use it all the time, but I traded up from the cheaper one

I've never heard of Lidl bargain.

They had Singer sewing machines too in Lidl the other week.

I dithered by them and decided that I don't do enough sewing these days to justify the expense so will have to carry on with my 42 year old Singer.
It is just rather heavy.

Lidl bargain ( not the normal lidl) store in my local town had Singer overlockers for £10. You were allowed to buy 3 per person so i bought 3 and DH bought 3 so my knit and natter group and my DD all had bargains.

I wish I could have had the Lidl bargain. Unfortunately, I don't shop there very often as i live fairly far from one, and they went like hot cakes last week... I think they come up annually.
Thanks for the info.

Just to add my Singer overlocker (14SH754) was about £130 in Lidl and retails at £242 on Amazon. I'd been thinking of treating myself and thought the money saved by buying from Lidl could be spent on fabric and thread instead. Plus Singer is a well known brand and easy to get parts if needed.

Sorry, I haven't any experience of that model myself. A quick google shows that Brand new it's £199 from Amazon. Includes lots of extras for that price plus a guarantee.
www.amazon.co.uk/Jaguar-Supa-Lock-486-Overlocker/dp/B01KVUGFI4?tag=gransnetforum-21

I bought my Singer overlocker from Lidl. It's great for what I need as I'm not an expert and just use it for basic seam work.

You're obviously reasonably tech savvy as you're using this forum, so may I recommend that you look on YouTube for videos of various brands of overlockers? They have some great 'how to' tutorials.

I used to use a Husqvarna at my old sewing class which was also very straightforward to use.

Pinterest is also an excellent source of information and ideas.

I have no experience at all of these machines but I belong to a craft forum where a lot of people use them - a number of people bought theirs in Lidl and say they are very good - they are about the price you mention or slightly cheaper. Good luck with it - make sure you receive a manual too as it sounds as if they can be complicated.