NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Overlock

An overlock stitch sews over the edge of one or two pieces of cloth for edging, hemming or seaming. Usually an overlock sewing machine will cut the edges of the cloth as they are fed through (such machines are called ‘sergers’), though some are made without cutters. The inclusion of automated cutters allows overlock machines to create finished seams easily and quickly. An overlock sewing machine differs from a lockstitch sewing machine in that it utilizes loopers fed by multiple thread cones rather than a bobbin. Loopers serve to create thread loops that pass from the needle thread to the edges of the fabric so that the edges of the fabric are contained within the seam. Overlock sewing machines usually run at high speeds, from 1000 to 9000 rpm, and most are used in industrial setting for edging, hemming and seaming a variety of fabrics and products. Overlock stitches are extremely versatile, as they can be used for decoration, reinforcement, or construction. Overlocking is also referred to as “overedging”, “merrowing” or “serging”. Though “serging” technically refers to overlocking with cutters, in practice the four terms are used interchangeably. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 533 pixelsFull resolution (2250 Ã— 1500 pixel, file size: 233 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) merrow, the merrow sewing machine company, this image may be used without restriction I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 533 pixelsFull resolution (2250 Ã— 1500 pixel, file size: 233 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) merrow, the merrow sewing machine company, this image may be used without restriction I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... To hem a piece of cloth (in sewing), a garment worker folds up a cut edge, folds it up again, and then sews it down. ... A modern machine (Singer Symphonie 300) A sewing machine is a mechanical (or electromechanical) device that joins fabric using thread. ... A modern machine (Singer Symphonie 300) A sewing machine is a mechanical (or electromechanical) device that joins fabric using thread. ... A modern machine (Singer Symphonie 300) A sewing machine is a mechanical (or electromechanical) device that joins fabric using thread. ... A modern machine (Singer Symphonie 300) A sewing machine is a mechanical (or electromechanical) device that joins fabric using thread. ...

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History

Overlock stitching was invented by the Merrow Machine Company in 1881. Merrow Sewing Machine Company, based in West Wareham, Massachusetts, is one of the most recognized brands of textile equipment in the world. ...

J. Makens Merrow and his son Joseph Merrow were the owners of a knitting mill established in Connecticut in 1838, who developed a number of technological advancements to be used in the mill’s operations. Merrow's first patent was a machine for crochet stitching. Merrow still produces crochet machines based on this original model. This technology was a starting point for the development of the overlock machine, patented by Joseph Merrow in 1889. Unlike standard lockstitching, which uses a bobbin, overlock sewing machines utilize loopers to create thread loops for the needle to pass through, in a manner similar to crocheting. Merrow's original three-thread overedge sewing machine is the forerunner of contemporary overlocking machines. Over time, the Merrow Machine Company pioneered the design of new machines to create a variety of overlock stitches, such as two, and four-thread machines, the one-thread butted seam, and the cutterless emblem edger. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The lockstitch is the mechanical stitch most commonly made by a sewing machine. ... A modern machine (Singer Symphonie 300) A sewing machine is a mechanical (or electromechanical) device that joins fabric using thread. ... An emblem consists of a pictorial image, abstract or representational, that epitomizes a concept - often a concept of a moral truth or an allegory. ...

A landmark lawsuit between Wilkox & Gibbs and the Merrow Machine Company in 1905 established the ownership and rights to the early mechanical development of overlocking to the Merrow Machine Company. Merrow Sewing Machine Company, based in West Wareham, Massachusetts, is one of the most recognized brands of textile equipment in the world. ...

Throughout the early 19th Century the area of Connecticut, USA and New York USA were the centers of textile manufacturing & machine production. Consequently many overlock machine companies established themselves in the North East.

In 1964 Juki Corporation was formed; a precursor of the modern industrial overlock sewing machine company. Throughout the 1980s Japanese and Chinese sewing machine production came to dominate the industry.

Today, The Merrow Sewing Machine Company is one of approximately 12 major global brands of overlock sewing machines. And one of perhaps 200 manufacturers of overlock sewing machines. The two most common are Juki and Brother. Brother Industries, Ltd. ...

In the United States the term "overlocker" has largely been replaced by "serger" but in other parts of the world (Austrialia, UK) the term "overlocker" is still in use.

Home Overlocking

Following the development of the industrial overlock machines, many companies began competing for the home market. The development and formation of the stitch are similar to the industrial models with some significant exceptions.

Types of overlock stitches

Overlock stitches are classified in a number of ways. The most basic classification is by the number of threads used in the stitch. Industrial overlock machines are generally made in 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 thread formations. Each of these formations has unique uses and benefits: 1-thread formations are used for end-to-end seaming, or ‘butt-seaming’. Two- and three-thread formations, also known as ‘merrowing’, are the most common, used for edging and seaming, especially on knits and wovens. Four-thread formations are called mock safety stitches and create extra strength while retaining flexibility. 5-thread formations, which utilize 2 needles, are called safety stitches, creating a very strong seam used for apparel manufacturing.

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Variability among the stitches

The main variables in the types of overlock stitches are the number of threads, the stitch eccentric, and the stitch width. The number of threads varies from 1 to 5. The stitch eccentric indicates how many stitches per inch there are, which is adjustable and can vary widely within one machine. Different stitch eccentrics create more or less dense and solid-looking edges. The stitch width indicates how wide the stitch is from the edge of the fabric. Lightweight fabrics often require a wider stitch to prevent pulling.

Adding extra variation in stitch types is the ‘differential feed’ feature, which allows feed to be adjusted; extra-fast feed creates a ruffled or ‘lettuce-leaf’ effect. Finally, some merrowing machines contain parts to roll the fabric edge into the stitch for added durability.

The formation of an overlock stitch

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Usages of the overlock stitch

Overlock stitches are used for different kinds of seams, usually distinguished by the number of threads used.

Though overlock stitches are traditionally used for edging and light seaming, the Merrow Sewing Machine Company has explored many unique and surprising applications for overlock stitches and has designed machines to fit these applications. Merrow Sewing Machine Company, based in West Wareham, Massachusetts, is one of the most recognized brands of textile equipment in the world. ...

Categories: Cleanup from March 2007 | All pages needing cleanup | Sewing stitches Net or netting is any textile in which the warp and weft yarns are looped or knotted at their intersections, resulting in a fabric with large open spaces between the yarns. ... An emblem consists of a pictorial image, abstract or representational, that epitomizes a concept - often a concept of a moral truth or an allegory. ... The lockstitch is the mechanical stitch most commonly made by a sewing machine. ... It has been suggested that seam allowance be merged into this article or section. ... Basting involves cooking meat with either its own juices or some type of preparation such as a sauce or marinade. ... Cut in clothing, sewing and tailoring, is the style or shape of a garment as opposed to its fabric or trimmings. ... Cashmere darn, a fine darning technique for twill fabric, from The Dictionary of Needlework, 1885. ... For other uses see Dressmaker (disambiguation) A dressmaker is a person who makes custom clothing for women, such as dresses, blouses, and evening gowns. ... Embellishment is a term used in sewing and crafts. ... Paul Revere in a shirt gathered at shoulder and cuffs, 1776. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Skirt with narrow knife pleats at the hip line, 1929. ... Portrait of a woman wearing a heavily ruffled cap, 1789 . In sewing and dressmaking, a ruffle or frill is a strip of fabric, lace or ribbon tightly gathered or pleated on one edge and applied to a garment, bedding, curtain or other textile as a form of trimming. ... A style line is a line (or curve) in a garment that has a visual effect, e. ... A tailor attending to a customer in Hong Kong. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... A 1-D stitch. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Buttonhole stitch in embroidery Detached buttonhole stitch Buttonhole stitch and the related blanket stitch are hand-sewing stitches used in tailoring, embroidery, and needle lace-making. ... In sewing and embroidery, a chain stitch is a series of looped stitches that form a chain. ... A sample cross-stitch of a Welsh dresser Cross-stitch is a popular form of counted-thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches are used to form a picture. ... In everyday language, a stitch in the context of embroidery or hand-sewing is defined as the movement of the embroidery needle from the backside of the fabric to the front side and back to the back side. ... The lockstitch is the mechanical stitch most commonly made by a sewing machine. ... A running stitch is worked by passing the needle in and out of the fabric. ... Sashiko literally little stabs) is a form of decorative reinforcement stitching (or functional embroidery) from Japan. ... In sewing, to tack or baste is to make quick, temporary stitching intended to be removed. ... Bias tape or bias binding is a narrow strip of fabric, cut on the bias (UK cross-grain). ... Interfacing is a common term for a variety of materials used on the unseen or wrong side of fabrics in sewing. ... Passementerie of applied gold cord and embroidery worn by Henry VIII of England (detail of a portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger, c. ... In sewing and fashion design, a pattern is an original garment from which other garments of a similar style are copied, or the paper or cardboard templates from which the parts of a garment are traced onto fabric before cutting out and assembling (sometimes called paper patterns). ... The Simplicity Pattern Company is the maker of the Simplicity Pattern, Its So Easy and New Look brands of sewing pattern guides. ... Trim or trimming in clothing and home decorating is applied ornament such as gimp, passementerie, ribbon, ruffles, or, as a verb, to apply such ornament. ... Twill tape is a flat twill-woven ribbon of cotton, linen, polyester, or wool. ... For other uses, see Button (disambiguation). ... A small flat button Metal, plastic and leather shank buttons. ... A Frog is an ornamental braiding for fastening the front of a garment that consists of a button and a loop through which it passes. ... Buttons with shanks. ... Snap fastener (male and female discs) A snap fastener is a pair of interlocking discs commonly used in place of buttons to fasten clothing. ... Velcro: hooks (left) and loops (right). ... Zipper slider brings together the two sides A zipper (British English: zip fastener or zip) is a popular device for temporarily joining two edges of fabric. ... The bias direction of a piece of woven fabric, usually referred to simply as the bias, is at 45 degrees to its warp and weft threads. ... Yarn Spools of thread Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibers, suitable for use in the production of textiles, sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery and ropemaking. ... The Selvage of a piece of curtain fabric. ... This article is about the type of fabric. ... A bobbin is a spindle or cylinder, with or without flanges, on which wire, yarn, thread or film is wound. ... A pin is a device used for fastening objects or material together. ... A pincushion (or less commonly pin cushion) is a small cushion, typically 3-5 cm across, which is used in sewing to store pins with their heads protruding so as to take hold of them easily. ... Pinking shears Pinking shears are scissors whose blades are sawtooth instead of straight. ... A pincushion (or less commonly pin cushion) is a small cushion, typically 3-5 cm across, which is used in sewing to store pins with their heads protruding so as to take hold of them easily. ... Pinking shears Pinking shears are scissors whose blades are sawtooth instead of straight. ... Different types of scissors - sewing, kitchen, paper Scissors are a tool used for cutting thin material which requires little force. ... A seam ripper is a small tool used for unpicking stitches. ... Needles used for sewing A sewing needle is a long slender object with a pointed tip. ... A stitching awl is a simple tool with which holes can be punctured in a variety of materials, or existing holes can be enlarged. ... Self-retracting pocket tape measure plastic tape measure A tape measure or measuring tape is a ribbon of cloth, plastic, or metal with linear-measure markings, often in both imperial and metric units. ... A thimble A thimble is a protective shield worn on the finger or thumb. ... Tracing Paper is a type of paper, which is translucent so the light can go through, is made by immersing unsized and unloaded paper of good quality in sulphuric acid for a few seconds. ... A tracing wheel is a sewing tool that is used to transfer markings from patterns onto fabric using tracing paper. ... Categories: Stub ... In a sewing machine, feed dogs are the feeder mechanism which is typically used to pull fabric through a sewing mechanism. ... A modern machine (Singer Symphonie 300) A sewing machine is a mechanical (or electromechanical) device that joins fabric using thread. ... A needle guard is a piece of a sewing machine that prevents you from sewing your finger. ... Pfaff is a manufacturer of sewing machines and is now owned by the VSM Group AB [1]. [edit] External link Pfaff Website Category: ... A Singer treadle sewing machine Singer Corporation is a United States of America manufacturer of sewing machines, first established as I.M. Singer & Co. ... A type of sewing machine used in the finishing process in the bedding industy. ...

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