Overlockers: can't-live-without or waste-of-space?

[MsMarple]

I just noticed that Lidl have Singer overlockers on sale from Thursday for £129 - which is half the amazon price for the same model.

I've thought about buying one in the past but was put off by how much they cost, and obviously it is still a lot of money for something that is just a hobby, but definitely within reach... and its nearly my birthday!

Anyway, if you have an overlocker how do you feel about it? Do you begrudge the money you spent, or the house-room it takes up, or are you totally in love with it, and all its whizzy seams?

I am not much help, as I bought the Lidl one last year when they had them in, but have not yet got it out of the box 😬. I think it's partly space, and partly because I am a bit scared of setting it up...I'm planning on going on a course at my local sewing school where they teach you to set it up and use it, because otherwise i will do it wrong and never get to grips with it properly. I will have a better space for it soon after some house renovations, so plan to have it out on a permanent table. I think it will be helpful for routine 'taking up' jobs and also for making funky leggings etc and generally providing a better finish.

Also, I have heard it is a good machine.

Love mine. I use it for knits, gathering and finishing. If you are after a Lidl one get there early though. The sewing groups im part of all reported very early sell outs last year with some trawling through 7 shops before they got one. Although eBay was full of them!

I sew a lot. First bought one a few years ago and upgraded it to a Bernina this year.

I like it but it is definitely not essential for me. I don't use it on anything lined - no point is there, use french seams on anything that will take them, sometimes felled seams because I like a bit of topstitching.

I have sewn more knits than I would have done without it I suppose. No room issue as I have got two tables in a spare bedroom for sewing.

What sort of things do you sew?

Happy birthday .

Thanks for posting everyone, and for the tip off HoneyBunnySunny - maybe fate will decide for me, if they have one in stock near me or not. But I will go and see first thing on Thursday if I do decide to get one.

CatherineDeB Mostly I sew skirts for me, and costumes for my kids, some home stuff - its more occasional when there is something we want or need, rather than every weekend for fun and I wouldn't have space to have it out all the time. I thought it would be useful for jersey tops/dresses, and pajama type things though, and I am also hoping that if it really is fast then I can get more projects done quicker, rather than take up half the kitchen table for a week at a time!

I really want one of these but can't find the deal on the website at the moment. I am tempted to also buy one as a xmas present for my mum if my local store gets them in.

Love my overlocker! Makes sewing kids jersey stuff a doddle. If you're sewing for small people it's worth getting one with a free arm

Haven't heard great things about the Lidl model though - unfortunately.

Hi Summer, it's here under the 'Sewing Week' page:
www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?id=957

I had one. It was posh. It was also a complete waste of space. A sewing machine is much more worthwhile. I flogged mine.

Thanks Msmarple. I had to go in he iPad to find it as the mobile version on my phone wasn't displaying the sewing offers. Really thinking about getting 1. I thought about it last year when they had them in but I missed the offer, I will be setting myself a reminder this time.

I've had an overlocker for the past 4 years and use it ALL the time. Finish all my seams with it and it makes sewing knits a doddle. I absolutely love it! But, I do have my own space to keep it in - very small room, but I can shut the door on it and don't have to get things out/put them away all the time. I wouldn't have got the extra machine without that space to keep it in, no.

Feeling doubtful now. I don't know whether to buy 2 (one for me and one for my mum) or whether I am just being frivolous and should keep my money...

Feel your pain Summer, I am so bad at decisions - they had loads in the shop today, all calling to me but I don't have anywhere to keep it out, or even an empty cupboard to put it in without a reshuffle, and £129 is still a lot of money. Although whilst I was staring at them earlier a nice lady came over and spontaneously told me to buy one, as overlockers are brilliant! So maybe that was a sign...

I bought one! Am very excited, can't wait to get it set up and try it out. I have been using the one at my sewing class and love it! DS lived the pj bottoms I made him so will be able to make more, might make the who,e family matching Christmas pjs!

I bought 2 msmarple. My mum came around and had a good nosy at mine whilst she was here and said its a great little machine and she has always fancied one. She is going to love it when she gets hers at xmas as I know she can't afford to buy one herself but she will tell me off for spending so much on a present

Oh wow, you both sounds really positive. Maybe I'll go back tomorrow! Happy Sewing :)

I got my Lidl one last year. I love it, and now sew with knits much more often.

Did you get one msmarple? I have finally got around to threading mine up - threading it is harder than actually using it but now I know what to do hopefully it will be easier next time. I didn't use the knotting and pulling thread through trick as I wanted to properly know how to thread it (and the short threads on it were all tangled anyway). I have also threaded my mums and boxed it back up ready for Christmas. The thing is I am in the process of cutting out some curtains and will probably just use the sewing machine rather than the overlocker 😂

I sewed for years without an overlocker, but once I got one I wondered how I had ever managed without.

Not necessary for curtains, but for most clothing I make I use it along side the sewing machine. I make more casual than smart clothes, so no lining or French seams. The overlocker means I can whip up a T-shirt in an hour, and that my shirts and trousers are properly finished making them last longer.

Good to know french. I have a load of stretch fabrics) it's just a queue, not a stash so hopefully I will be able to use some of them now. I am newly pregnant so all being well I can use some of the stretch fabrics to make myself some maternity clothes. I also plan to make some stuff for baby and for my one year old as I imagine the overlocker will be great for sewing tiny clothes.

Honestly I would be lost without mine. I do make a lot of clothes though. Its a slippery slope. I bought a sewing machine and then an overlocker and then an embroidery machine and then a few more sewing machines and then a coverstitch..........

I use mine a lot. If you make clothes, it will give them a professional finish rather than a frayed seam/hem or zig-zag, so your garment will last longer and you won't be ashamed when a gust of wind shows off your home-made raw edges!

They can be a pain to thread, but once you've done it a few dozen times you get the hang of it!