Can someone explain in simple terms the difference between a sewing machines and an overlock machine?

Question

I am going to start sewing but most of it will be simple straight stitching. No embrodiery or anything. I don't need a machine that does 2,002 stitches. Which machine would be for me? If you know of a certain machine too, I would greatly appreciate any advice? I am going to be doing alot of scrap fabric crafts for my home like quilted pillows and heming fabric.

Answer 1

Look at the seams on the shirt you are wearing right now... where the sleeves join to the body.

Do you see how the threads are not only holding the sleeve there but they also wrap around the the entire seam?

That is an over lock or serger.

On a flat machine if you want something like that -- and that makes the seam stronger and more comfortable - then you actually have to sew the seam twice doubling the amount of time it takes to finish a garment.

From that you say you will be mostly working with a regular machine would be fine but the decorative stitches might add an extra touch to your quilts so you just might want to consider those 2,002 stitches.

But basically how the seams is finished is the difference in the two machines. And a serger is well worth the price!!

Answer 2

Sergers/overlockers are the microwaves of the sewing world... they can sew a seam and overcast the raw edges in one pass (and they have other little nifty tricks). What they don't do well are things like putting in zippers (it can be done, but it's not
beautiful) or making buttonholes. Very nice for sewing garment
seams because the seam allowances are finished, trimmed and don't need clipping.

For what you're proposing to do, I'd suggest a sewing machine instead of a serger. If you can find one that has straight stitch,
zigzag, a blindhem stitch and a buttonhole that's easy, you've got all the basics. Add a serger when you're ready to move on to more complex projects where the speed and raw edge finishing is more useful.

If you're going to quilt anything of size, look for lots of room to the right of the needle (it's called the "harp").

I would choose from whatever the most reputable sewing machine dealer has on hand, and I'd look particularly at used machines. Most of the machines under $200 US new are "throwaway" -- just not worth fixing, and most are so imprecise they'll just frustrate you.

Answer 3

A regular sewing machine joins the seams, with a little bit of fabric left over on each side of the seam and a raw edge. The overlock machine joins the seams way out on the very edge, to take care of the raw edge

Here is an example of a seam that was stitched on a sewing machine, then finished with an overlocked edge.
http://www.ironpals.com/tipstech/pants/pant_step3a.jpg
.