Don't Fear The Jargon?
If you’re new to overlocking / serging, don’t let the jargon scare you: you’ll soon get the hang of it and be delighted by what your overlocker / serger can do!
You might have heard talk of the Overlocker / Serger Feed Dogs. Here's an overview of what they do (and they don't bark!).
Who, What and Where Are These“Feed Dogs”?
They look a bit like cogs, with grippy “teeth” on them and they are usually either made of metal or plastic.
They are underneath the presser foot and they are sited below the needle plate. The fabric you are working on goes over the top of them and the teeth grip the fabric and “feed” it through the overlocker / serger, past the needles for stitching.
Feed Mechanism
In an overlocker / serger, there are typically two sets of feed dogs—one in the front and one in the rear. These sets of feed dogs work together to ensure that the fabric is fed through the machine evenly and consistently.
Fabric Transport and Stitch Cycle
The primary function of the feed dogs is to transport the fabric from the front to the back of the machine while it's being stitched. The feed dogs move in sync with the overlocker / serger stitch cycle, advancing the fabric the appropriate distance with each stitch.
Controlled Movement
The feed dogs move the fabric according to the stitch length and differential feed settings you select on the overlocker / serger. These settings allow you to control the fabric's movement and prevent issues like stretching or gathering, depending on the type of fabric and overlocking / serging technique you're using.
Adjustability
Many overlockers allow you to adjust the feed dog settings to accommodate different fabric types and sewing tasks. For example, you can adjust the stitch length and differential feed to suit lightweight or heavyweight fabrics, ensuring a smooth and even seam.
Engaging and Disengaging
Some overlockers / sergers come with the option to disengage the feed dogs. This is useful when you want to do free-motion shaped or embroidery type work or darning, as you can manually move the fabric in any direction without the feed dogs advancing it.
Not Complicated
Once you get the hang of it, it's quite straightforward.
If you make changes to the settings on your overlocker / serger, be sure to try them out on some scrap fabric before you start to work on your project.
We also recommend making a note of settings you find work and the type of fabric you were working on.
Make a Note!
Think about investing a small amount in a notebook to keep with your overlocker / serger so next time you do a similar project you can check back on what settings you use.
Here's a low budget notebook from Amazon which would make a great gift (even to yourself!).
Want to know how an Overlocker / Serger differential works?
Have a look at our blog on understanding how the differential works.
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