Dipe sewing...who has used their overcasting stitch...

[MallowMom]

Hi all,

Just started sewing some of my own cloth diapers and was wondering if any of you more experienced seamstresses have tried using the overcasting stitch on your machines instead of a serger?

I tried this last night on a doubler that I didn't want to turn and topstitch. I got my stitches as close together as the machine allowed, with as wide a zigzag as possible. Also turned down the tension a bit. I got a decent edge, but do you think it will fray a lot in the wash? I have my doubler in there right now to see how it will turn out. :laundry

I used 100% poly thread...would using something like wooly nylon work or would that gum up my machine?

I really want a serger but I'm not yet willing to pay $$ for it, especially since DH just got me this machine for Christmas! :D

Morgan

[warneral]

I asked this question on my sewing message boards when I first found my overcasting foot. I figured, why bother with a serger? They said it can work but just won't look as good. I think it will be ok for doublers - you don't need them to be pretty - heck they could even fray a teensy bit and it won't matter. It won't make the nice finished look that you get with a 4 thread serging - since you're only using 2 threads, but if it works for you - why not???

[rubelin]

If your stitches are pretty close together, you won't get much more fraying than you would with a serger (it's a myth that nothing frays if it's been serged) The only trouble with doing it this way is that the stitches make the edge curl, but if you have a good overedge foot you shouldn't have much trouble with that at all :) Just cut your edges as smoothly as you can, since you won't have the blade to trim them, and go slowly for the nicest quality of stitches.

[cllovato]

I really don't know much about the stitch you are talking about (haven't been sewing long:) )- but I actually purchased a serger since my machine is 18 years old and doesn't have the capacity for that many stitches. Just FYI there is one listed for sale- good luck and I hope that stitch works out for you!

http://mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=70545&highlight=wipes

[bloodrayne]

Ok, I could have sworn I hit 'new topic'. :LOL