Here are some useful items that we think will improve your overlocking / serging experience. Depending on which overlocker / serger you buy, you may find that some of these items come with your machine.
White Labels or White Sticky Tape This is a number 1 top tip!! Get some plain white stickers or sticky tape and stick a label on each part of the overlocker / serger as you read about it. Write the name (small and neat!) on the sticky label and actually stick it on of the part on the overlocker / serger. This is extremely helpful when you are learning about how to use your serger / overlocker, or if you put it away and don’t use it for some time, it will save you having to relearn it again.
Thread It’s worth getting high quality thread which won’t break or snag. You may find that cheaper threads are prone to breaking and this can be enormously frustrating as you have to go back and rethread the overlocker / serger. In some overlockers / sergers the needles have to be threaded in a particular order, so you can end up rethreading up to 5 spools of thread!
The looper thread does not usually show on the finished item, depending on what you’re working on, so it doesn’t necessarily need to exactly match your fabric and you may be able to save some money here by not having to buy lots of matching thread. However the needle threads do show so buy these to match your fabric.
When you buy an overlocker / serger they don't usually come with thread ready to use so order your thread as you buy the machine: its very frustrating having to get your machine and then have to wait for the thread to arrive to be able to use it!
Note: overlockers / sergers often do have a very small amount of thread in them when you buy them. This is not for you to actually sew with but to show you what the thread path is and how to thread up your machine. Don't just pull this thread out! Look carefully at where it goes and maybe take some close up photos on your camera, to help you thread the machine later.
Spool Holders Inserts There are small plastic shaped “widgets” that fit inside the spools but over the spindles, and keep the spools from wobbling, vibrating or over-spinning causing thread to come lose. You will need at least 4 of these, one for each reel of thread you’re using. Best to buy a few spare.
Small Screw Driver This is to change the needles. They are screwed in position so to change them you have to loosen the screws holding them in place. You will also need a screwdriver to remove the presser foot when you remove or change the needles or sometimes to adjust the pressure applied by the presser foot to the fabric.
Top Tip: when loosening screws to change or remove needles, do not take the screws fully out! You only need loosen them enough that the needle can be pulled out. If you actually remove the screws you run the risk of losing them or dropping them inside the overlocker / serger!
Overlocker / Serger Needles Some overlockers / sergers do actually use the same needles as regular sewing machine needles but some do not. Unfortunately the only way to know is to consult the manual for your machine to find your needle specification.
Tweezers These are enormously helpful in threading up overlockers / sergers as the threads will have to pass through quite a few small eyes and loop round hooks which can be quite difficult to do with your fingers! As you reach into the machine to thread up sometimes your own hand blocks the view of what you are trying to do and using tweezers gives the extra space to see what you are doing.
A Needle Threader This is nice to have but not essential. Using a needle threader is so much easier than threading needles by hand and eye alone!
Small Thread Scissors Necessary to trim threads and finish off sewing. The advantage of small sewing scissors over larger household or fabric scissors are that the fine points are useful if you need to carefully unpick threads.
Spool Nets Putting some netting over the top of your spools of thread on your overlocker / serger can be helpful to control how the thread comes off the spool. For example, if you are using a silky thread sometimes several loops slip down or the spool over-spins and the thread tension is loosened. Spool netting may improve your overlocker / serger stitches although you can get by without it.
Very often some of this comes with new machine but you can buy long rolls of spool netting and snip off what you need.
A Magnifying Sheet
This can be helpful to assist with threading the overlocker / serger if you’re struggling to see the tiny detail. You can get some of these with lights on for extra help in seeing the fine threading detail inside your machine.
A Lindt Brush If you are using the blade to cut away fabric then lots of tiny bits of fabric and lint build up. A small brush to clean both your machine and the fabric you are sewing is helpful!
A Bag for Scraps Again, if you are using your overlocker / serger blade to cut excess fabric, you will end up with lots of small pieces of excess fabric. So keeping a small scrap bag nearby is useful to put scraps and bits of thread in!
Sewing Machine Oil As with all sewing machines, moving parts need to be well maintained.
Magnet on a Stick Although not essential, a stick magnet can come in extremely useful for removing needles, pins or screws which you accidentally drop inside your machine. Also for picking dropped items from the floor.
Needle Inserter These hold the needle in place while you tighten the screws up on your needles as its very easy to over loosen a needle and it drop out of position straight into the machine. Alternatively, use a needle inserter to hold the needle as you start to unscrew a needle to remove it. If you over loosen the needle it is so easy to accidentally drop it in the machine. Hold the needle with the needle inserter as you start to unscrew it.
A Notebook This will be invaluable to you! There are many variables when using an overlocker / serger and when you find a combination you like make notes of all the setting, including all the tensions, stitch length, which needle or both needles etc. Make a note of the fabric type you worked on e.g. was it a thin cotton, a silk, a wool and also the thread type e.g. was it a very silky or fine thread and did you use nets over your thread reels. It can be helpful to staple a small sample of the fabric you used and the thread into the notebook.
Make other notes too for example if you have problems threading the machine you may find it easy to draw your own small diagram or notes of what your machine stickers mean.
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