How to use zig-zag stitch as an overlocking stitch

[jacobestes]

Hemings and Tailor. Those cannot be your real names.

[farafrolic]

thank you!!!

[christialle]

For apparel sewing, it is better to do this type of edge finishing after you sew the seam, otherwise you lose a bit of the seam allowance and it won't be an accurate fit.

[BluePisces1]

Would using a surger/serger (sorry can't spell it too well) machine to get the edge work just as well?

[0507katy]

@BluePisces1 It would work even better, since that is what sergers are for. But sergers are expensive. This is the cheater way to do it.

[BluePisces1]

@0507katy .. OK, thanks :)

[HelenMarlen1]

тю ...

[queenangel321]

do you have to have a certain sewing machine to do that?

[3709280]

wtf i thought they where going to stich up a zig zag paperr

[MoogriMoogle]

@RichardBronosky Must not be a very good engineer if you don't understand why it works.

[GlamorousLolitta]

I've heard about using zig-zag stitch instead of getting a machine specialized to do this.. but never thought it's this easy xD

[SewTimeTv]

she cuts her wrists

[nikki2006b]

@SewTimeTv She burns herself. Who hasn't?!

[RichardBronosky]

So, just to be clear: It is okay to let the needle go off, or "miss", the cut edge of the seam? That just doesn't feel right. I don't know how that is supposed to prevent fraying and unravelling. I'm an engineer, so my instinct is to make everything much more secure than it needs to be.

[PraiseDivineMercy]

@RichardBronosky I've been just experimenting with this method, and I think it's actually better to do so. The needle goes down, catches the bobbin thread, and wraps it around the edge of the fabric, preventing frays.

[naomi1431]

My understanding is that you WANT the needle to "miss" the cut edge of the seam (on the right) every time. I've done it where the fabric is forced to curl a bit, so it's a curl enclosed with the zig zag. The seam seems to look a little more finished that way. I do think that a "french seam" is probably better for a simple project with two pieces of fabric sewn together, though. Does anyone know of any benefits of using a zig zag instead of a french?

[clds84]

@RichardBronosky

If you were to sew without going just over the edge, everything beyond where you've sewn is going to fray. If you go just past the edge, the stitches are wrapping around the last warp threads. 

[Godzoned]

wonderful thank you

[cleopatragr1]

how do u prevent thin fabric from swirling?

[theresa5]

You could use a tear away stabilizer or one that washes off. Hope this helps.

[RuthiesXStitch]

@cleopatragr1 I know this answer is a long time coming, but for people who want to know, you reduce the top tension.

When I use this technique (which was in my instruction book), I use an upper tension of 2 instead of 4 or 5 with my polyester thread.

[HOPPERFZR]

@cleopatragr1 with as little tension as possible