I just bought an overlock sewing machine, but I don’t know how to close the seam. In a regular machine I just press the reverse button and close the sewing so it wont open, but with this machine every time I sewed something the seam start opening at the end. How can I close the seam?
Image taken on 2007-12-29 04:37:30 by clevercupcakes.
There are several possibilities…
1) If this seam will be crossed by another, nothing needs to be done (just like sewing machine seams)
2) You can cut the chain off even and use a sealant like Fray Block. Not my favorite.
3) You can pull the chain tails back into the stitching with a “knit picker” type latch hook, a tiny crochet hook, or a tapestry needle (I prefer the tapestry needle) — this is my usual finish.
4) You can tie an overhand knot in the thread chain right up against the end of the seam. To do this neatly, tie the overhand knot, but leave a little loop. Put a pin into the loop and snug the loop up against the end of the seam while pulling on the chain tail. Cut off the excess chain. I use this finish for something that will need hard wear, but I don’t like the little lump.
5) Unpick the serger chain (easiest is to just lift out the needle threads right at the end of the seam), tie a square knot using all threads, and clip excess. Fast and easy, but be careful to clip close to the knot.
6) As for #5, but thread the threads into an embroidery needle and run
them back into the stitching, making a couple of small backstitches to secure them, then clipping.
There are two things you can do.
What I do is cut the end of the threads then put Fray Check on the ends to hold it.
The other way is to sew off a tail at the end of the seam, then take the tail and thread it back through the sewn part. There is a flat needle that makes this easy.
Personally I thing cutting it and using Fray Check is easier and the end stays closed.