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Bastard recalcitrant overlocker

54 replies

cottagegardenflower · 17/07/2022 12:46

I have a love/hate relationship with my toyota overlocker. I broke a needle and managed to get another one in but since then it only sews with 3 not 4 threads. I've checked threading on a you tube video (book is inconprehensible and the diagram on the machine is only for Borrowers).

any hints to resolve this.
posting for traffic and can't find a sewing section.

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Thread gallery
8
cottagegardenflower · 17/07/2022 15:36

Not even sure what the plate is? The left needle keeps coming unthreaded and the stitch goes wild. I hate it.

Bastard recalcitrant overlocker
Bastard recalcitrant overlocker
Bastard recalcitrant overlocker
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WhichBitchIsWhich · 17/07/2022 15:44

This bit is your needle plate :)

Hard to know what the problem is but I strongly suspect that whatever caused the needle to break has knocked your timing out. If you turn the hand wheel really slowly and watch the needles, the upper looper thread should catch both needle threads - is it doing so?

Also, what are your tensions set to?

Bastard recalcitrant overlocker
pastabest · 17/07/2022 15:46

In your first picture above where the letter A is on the plate. I can see the left hand side bottom needle is in place but I can't make out from the photo if the right hand side one is.

If it isn't, that is the problem.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

MsMcGonagall · 17/07/2022 15:47

Given how immensely complicated this all sounds, do you think they have tech support staff on sewing bee (who are never seen on camera)?

Otherwise surely you'd see much more "well I didn't finish because for 2 of the 3 hours I was threading and swearing at the overlocker"

WhichBitchIsWhich · 17/07/2022 15:48

Yeah the left needle should be set a bit higher than the right, from the other photos I think it is, but double check that too!

Belovedfool · 17/07/2022 15:50

My sympathies, it's very frustrating and I get this too, with one thread seemingly magicking itself out of the needle without breaking. Drives me mad and I've no idea how it happens.

Order of threading is often something manuals leave out, for some sadistic reason. I think the manufacturers hate us....

Order should usually be
1 - upper looper
2 - lower looper
3 - left needle
4 - right needle.

There may be some machines that differ, but I've never come across one, so unless you're told otherwise in the manual, follow this order.

Always have presser foot lifted when you thread, to ensure thread seats into the tension discs properly.

If there's a bit of needle floating around inside your machine, you need to get that out as that will definitely cause a machine to be unhappy. Unplug it from the power cord, turn the bastard thing upside down with the doors open and give it a gentle shake over a sheet of paper. That should dislodge the needle tip. then use a vacuum and the thin attachments mentioned above by a previous poster to remove dust and fluff internally.

Refit both needles, checking they're inserted correctly (usually flat side to back, and pushed up as far as possible into the channel). Left needle should sit lower than the right. Turn fly wheel by hand to check needles don't get smacked by the loopers as they drop down into the machine bed. Adjust and refit needles if they do touch.

pastabest · 17/07/2022 15:53

Here, I've attached a photo of mine (with the presser foot removed) showing the two bottom needles. Does yours have two bottom needles in place or just one?

Bastard recalcitrant overlocker
Belovedfool · 17/07/2022 15:56

Correction. Left needle should sit lower than the right on MY machine. Yours might differ - check your manual.

cottagegardenflower · 17/07/2022 15:59

Hahahahah. Eureka. I put the needle in the wrong way. The left need should have the flat side away from you so I changed that and it works again.

Thanks everyone. Xxxx

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cottagegardenflower · 17/07/2022 16:01

MsMcGonagall · 17/07/2022 15:47

Given how immensely complicated this all sounds, do you think they have tech support staff on sewing bee (who are never seen on camera)?

Otherwise surely you'd see much more "well I didn't finish because for 2 of the 3 hours I was threading and swearing at the overlocker"

I'm sure they do. With 5 minutes to sew a garment, half an hour faffing with an overlocker would be impossible !

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cottagegardenflower · 17/07/2022 16:02

User error!! Of course.

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cottagegardenflower · 17/07/2022 16:02

@WhichBitchIsWhich I never dare to touch the tensions.

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cottagegardenflower · 17/07/2022 16:05

When it works it's beautiful

Bastard recalcitrant overlocker
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Chillinoncarneisunderrated · 17/07/2022 16:05

That title is surely the Last Ever Fall LP no?😂
Sorry OP, can't help you. I get myself into enough of a fankle with my John Lewis Basic sewing machine - overlockers scare me!

CuteOrangeElephant · 17/07/2022 16:23

Hi Op, your tension isn't right on the bit you showed us. The left needle thread should be all the way to the left and you shouldn't be able to see those stitches pulling on the very far left.

I think left needle tension is too low.

Belovedfool · 17/07/2022 16:32

Yay, you got it sorted! Well done for not throwing the darn thing out of the window..

cottagegardenflower · 17/07/2022 17:20

@CuteOrangeElephant I'm no way touching the tensions! That way lies madness! It's going and it's holding the rough edges together, that's all I need.

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Heistonabike · 17/07/2022 17:28

I'm always tempted by these machines whenever they're in Lidl. Then I remember that I probably don't need that stress in my life.

MenaiMna · 17/07/2022 17:49

With tiny diagrams on anything (are they really tiny or am I just really old?) I take a picture then blow up to view detail. Same might work in finding the jam inside (needle bit, stray thread, lint etc)

WhichBitchIsWhich · 17/07/2022 17:50

cottagegardenflower · 17/07/2022 16:05

When it works it's beautiful

Ok so in the kindest possible way your tensions are, um, all to shit in this pic!! The upper looper thread (the one showing on the front of the fabric) is way too tight and the lower looper (the one showing on the back, except it's being pulled round to the front) way too loose. You do really need to sort that out if you want it to sew without trouble.

What tensions are they all on now?

WhichBitchIsWhich · 17/07/2022 17:52

Take a look at this link

And see attached image.

I know tensions are terrifying at first but it's really really worth getting to grips with.

Bastard recalcitrant overlocker
CuteOrangeElephant · 17/07/2022 17:54

Don't be afraid of changing the tensions. You can always take a picture of your initial set up.

I have a more expensive overlocker and I always do a test piece. Over time you will develop the skill to do this a lot faster.

Thinkingblonde · 17/07/2022 19:07

Your tensions need adjustment. Don’t be worried. It’ll be fine.
I had the same overlocker for over 20 years. And a Toyota flat bed sewing machine, probably the same age, Never any bother with either until Lockdown 2020, when both machines went on strike. Had them serviced and fixed the overlocker but I’d already bought a new one by then. Still got the sewing machine and let my grandson use it, I’m teaching him to sew. It’s fine for the short time he uses it.
Iv e now got a Janome overlocker and Husknava (?) sewing machine. Both good machines but prefer my old overlocker.
.

StatisticallyChallenged · 17/07/2022 19:35

Definite agree with tension - I refer to that same image all the time when I'm not sure what's wrong

I love my overlocker though. That and the coverstitch have been a revelation and totally changed my sewing

cottagegardenflower · 18/07/2022 21:31

WhichBitchIsWhich · 17/07/2022 17:52

Take a look at this link

And see attached image.

I know tensions are terrifying at first but it's really really worth getting to grips with.

Okie doke. I will fiddle with the tension, all four of them. 😁

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