The Overlocker Technique Manual: The Complete Guide to Serging and Decorative Stitching by Julia Hincks
If you’re new to overlocking / serging and you need to learn all the basics, or if you’ve had an overlocker for a while but are nervous using it, then this book could be the answer for you.
Very often manuals that come with overlocker / sergers are complicated, overly technical or are odd translations which don’t always make sense.
If you’ve spent a lot of money on an overlocker or serger then spending a little extra on this book might just make all the difference for you.
This is NOT a Clothes-Making Manual!
You should bear in mind that it’s not a manual designed to teach you specifically how to make clothes with your overlocker / serger, although there are some projects making clothes and bags. The real benefit and focus of this book is how to understand and to use the different aspects of your overlocker / serger. The projects are just examples.
A Book For People at All Skill Levels
This useful book is aimed at people of all skill levels and abilities as well as levels on confidence with overlockers / sergers.
Get your copy of The Overlocker Technique Manual: The Complete Guide to Serging and Decorative Stitching by Julia Hincks Here!
Julia Hincks - The Author
The author, Julia Hincks, is a well-qualified teacher, a specialist in crafts and her teaching ability shows through in the clear way things are explained in this book.
Clear Instructions and Good Colour Photographs
Julia’s clear instructions are accompanied by clear colour photographs and very easy single step instructions which cover all the basic techniques you need to know.
Troubleshooting Overlocker / Serger Problems
We also thought the troubleshooting section was especially helpful as there were lots of advice to put things right, such as stitching being uneven or skipped and threads that keep breaking. It’s these sorts of things that are so frustrating and upsetting if you’re sitting on your own with your overlocker / serger but which can be so easily put right if you understand what to do.
There is clear advice as to how to use your overlocker on different types of fabric, the settings and Julia even anticipates the problems you might face.
Julia uses a Janome Overlocker for her photos but the principles fairly well apply to all overlockers / sergers and when you have read this book you should find your own machine’s manual makes more sense.
Book Splits into 3 Sections
Julia’s book has 3 main chapters, which are effectively book sections, being:
Chapter 1 Overlocking Basics
Chapter 2 Techniques
Chapter 3 Quick Constructions
Chapter 1 Explains the Basics
Chapter 1 covers understanding your overlocker / serger. It explains what is on an overlocker / serger, what accessories you need, how the overlocker is set up. It also explains how to start and finish overlocking, how the thread ends are secured and how to put right mistakes.
There is also some extremely helpful advice on how to make adjustments to all the overlocker settings, the cutting width (we feel this is an often overlooked area of overlocking!), how to change the thread tensions, the stitch length and the differential feeds.
If you have an overlocker / serger and are too nervous to use it, this chapter alone could really give you confidence and get you started!
Chapter 2 More Detail About Overlocker Techniques and What Your Overlocker Can Do
Chapter 2 goes into a little detail about different aspects of overlocking / serging. Very often people learn how to do a simple line of stitches but do nothing else. This chapter shows you all those things your overlocker can do for you.
It starts by explaining basic stitches and seams and then goes on to tell you about how to go round corners, curves and tubes (sleeves etc). It explains different types of seams and hems, including rolled hems, which many overlockers come with specialist attachments to do, but which many people never actually know about!
Julia then explains about different types of stitches including a cover stitch and chain stitch and then how to use many different types of specialist feet including how to do piping, blind hemming, gathering, cording bias binding, taping and even a beading attachment!
Chapter 3 Some projects For You to Try
Chapter 3 is excellent for giving you a few different projects to try your new found overlocking / serging confidence and knowledge! There are a range of projects including a scarf, some bags, a quilt, cushion covers and some items of clothing too and you can clearly understand which techniques are being used in each project. So even if you don’t do the actual projects here, you can use the techniques in your own projects.
An Overlocker is not A Sewing Machine
Julia is clear where you have to use a sewing machine instead of an overlocker / serger. Ideally for a full range of sewing you need both machines.
Easy to Understand Glossary
Julia has also included an excellent and understandable glossary of all the technical terms used with overlocking / serging. Very often it is a fear of the technical terms that worries people and stops them from using their machines. A down to earth glossary can give you an understanding of overlocking and raise your confidence no end.
The book is full of colour photographs and easy to follow explanations and should take away any fear of the overlocker / serger completely!
A Great Companion for your Overlocker / Serger Manual
Of course this book doesn’t replace your own overlocker’s manual as all machines are slightly different in how they operate but read this book alongside your manual and you’ll be able to overlock / serge like a professional in no time!
Good Value For Money
This book is such good value for money we would recommend buying the hardback copy (there isn’t a huge difference in price between hardback and paperback) and keep this permanently as a reference book with your overlocker / serger.
In Summary
If you have an overlocker / serger and are in any way nervous to use it or lack confidence in trying out what it can do, this book may be what you need!
In America
We understand this book may be retitled “Serger Techniques Manual”, for the American market.
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