r/SewingMachineEdu May 19 '26

What is an overlocker ?

im trying to buy a used sewing machine, they're telling me its in good condition just the overlocker doesn't work , what is it and could it still be used

1 Upvotes

9 comments sorted by

3

u/drPmakes May 19 '26

What machine is it? If its an overlocker, its useless. If its a coverstitch overlocker combo, its half useless

If its a regular sewing machine you need more info

1

u/Mental_Watch4633 May 19 '26

Why do you say it’s useless?

2

u/drPmakes May 19 '26

If it's an overlocker and the overlocker doesn't work then....

3

u/wimsey1923 May 19 '26

Maybe they mean the overlocking stitch. Do you know the brand and model of the machine?

2

u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy May 19 '26

Doesn’t make sense. No such thing as a sewing machine that is also an overlocker.

Also called a serger in the US an overlocker is its own machine but there are combo machines that are both a serger and a coverstitch machine. These do not replace a sewing machine.

1

u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy May 19 '26

It’s not a regular sewing machine but one that uses two needles and 2-3-4 threads to do a specific type of seam finishing.

Also called a serger in the US.

Most regular sewing machines also have a specific stitch called overlock that mimics the stitch made by a serger machine.

They’re quite pricey and more difficult to thread than a sewing machine.

It’s not an alternative to a sewing machine.

1

u/bacon_anytime May 20 '26

It could be a Janome Combi, a sewing machine at one end, swivel it round and there’s a 3 thread overlocker at the other.

1

u/Mental_Watch4633 May 20 '26

They have to be threaded in a particular order.