Is an overlocker necessary for stretch fabrics

[trippingthelightfantastic1]

I am super tempted to branch out into making stretch fabric clothes and am wondering if I would need an overlocker/serger if I want a decent finish. I know they're great for all fabrics but they seen particularly useful for stretch fabric. As they are super expensive I am happy to avoid purchasing one if I can.

Any views from people who've made stretch clothes with or without one would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

No. It isn't. There are special stitches you can use on a normal machine. If you read the manual it will tell you which ones. If you buy a twin jersey needle then you can even use that like a coverstitch machine to do neat stretchy hems.

No, but it's a lot faster and a more stretchy stitch. Ordinary clothes, fine using sewing machine stretch stitch. You'll pop seams if you use a normal sewing machine to make swimwear or close fitting leggings etc. Looser fit = fine.

I've done both. I have an old overlocker (nicked off my mum) and its amazing but scares me. I've also done plenty of work using jersey on my normal machine with a zig zag stitch (and sometimes but not always a twin needle).
If you've never used stretch before, I wouldn't invest in an overlocker until you know you like using stretch. I'd also try some out, lots of sewing courses provide overlockers in the classroom so you can see if you like them there.

You can 100% manage on just a regular machine: use the zig zag stitch or check the manual for their recommendation, get the right set of needles (ballpoint/stretch) and think about getting a walking foot. The latter isn’t necessary but helpful.

However, the finish just looks SO much more professional with an overlocker that I ended up buying one. I’ve never looked back. I love my overlocker. I use it on wovens to finish raw edges, rolled hems, etc.

Not necessary but useful. An overlocker is a great way to sew and finish seams quickly, especially on stretch fabrics.

I have this weird triple stitch on my machine which is stretchy but looks like a normal stitch. So it goes over each stitch individually three times but somehow they are only joined by a loose thread which can stretch.

Thanks v much for your replies. I will try and find my machine manual to see what it says re stretch stiching - I have the Pfaff expression 2.0 so hopefully it has something.

You've got loads of stretch and overlock stitches with that. I've just looked at the manual online. The only thing it won't do is trim away the seam allowance as you sew like an overlocker does. Based on that, I'd say keep your money and spend it on fabric instead! Cracking machine, by the looks of it

Your Pfaff should cope fine. If you enjoy making clothes out of stretch fabrics, then maybe look at an overlocker as it's so much quicker and the finish is nicer. You can use an overlocker for woven fabrics, too. I'm currently working with a viscose linen blend that collapses into a heap of thread if left to its own devices so being able to overlock some of the edges before sewing has been a sanity saver.

Use the stretch stitches but also invest in some jersey needles, normal ones can cause runs in the fabric.

I've got an all singing and dancing Bernina sewing machine that cost an eye watering amount of money and I'm pretty experienced sewist but I just cannot get it to work with stretch fabric. I've seen enough YouTube tutorials to make my head ache, I've read the manual until I've lost the will to go on and I still can't turn out anything worth having. I've made clothes and bags, a wedding dress and more taffeta bridesmaid dresses than I care to count, toys, Rag dolls, you name it. I found an abandoned sofa at the end of our street, scavenged the leather and made a backpack but I can't turn out a t shirt worth shit. I've sort of given up, I'm off to the shops tomorrow for a nice bit of denim and something with no stretch for winter trousers.

@Notthatcatagain have you tried a walking foot?