PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,294 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,294 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
12 
Member since 12/9/07
Posts: 37
Send Message
Posted on: 12/18/07 9:54 PM ET
Can you ever get the look of a garment sewed on a serger by using a regular sewing machine? Are there attachments you can buy for a reg. sewing machine that sew the over-lock or professional looking stitch?
  
Board Moderator
Member since 7/26/07
Posts: 15343
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 12/18/07 10:46 PM ET
In reply to NoviceSewer
The short answer is no, not really.

That said, there are ways to handle seams and seam finishes that result in a well constructed garment (think how many years clothing was made without sergers). Aside from sewing techniques, I think pressing well and carefully as you go is important to how a garment finishes.

From the inside, you may not be able to duplicate RTW finishes, but on the outside, a garment made by a home sewist can be every bit as good if not better than RTW. One thing you can't duplciate well is a cover stitch hem on knits however.

Just my opinion....
-- Edited on 12/18/07 10:47 PM --
------
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin

"Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal." unknown

“Be curious, not judgmental.” Ted Lasso
  
Member since 12/9/04
Posts: 2015
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 12/18/07 11:37 PM ET
In reply to NoviceSewer
Hi! There is another post called, "Making Clothes Look Less Homemade" that can give you plenty of tips about your Title Post, "Ways to get Professional Looking Garments".
Although not directed to your specific question, there's lots to learn there, too...
Rhonda
  
Member since 11/26/06
Posts: 2701
Send Message
Posted on: 12/19/07 1:05 AM ET
In reply to Rhonda in Montreal
The thread that Rhonda is talking about is a lengthy one worthy of your time. I'd like to add that with experience, you'll learn techniques that will look BETTER than ready to wear...French seams, Hong Kong finishes, welt pockets, bound buttonholes, etc. You won't find these on your $14.99 tunic from JCPenney's, but high-end clothing will utilize these techniques (and all are done w/ a regular sewing machine or...gasp...by hand!)

Enjoy...every project is a learning experience!
Eve
------
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
  
Member since 11/22/07
Posts: 99
Send Message
Posted on: 12/19/07 3:54 AM ET
That long post should be put together as an article. It has so much good info...
  
PR Weekend Organizer
Contest Committee

Member since 12/31/03
Posts: 3011
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 12/19/07 10:20 AM ET
In reply to NoviceSewer
Here is the link to the thread that Rhonda is talking about, in case you are having difficultiy finding it. Making clothes look less homemade
------
Connie Bontje
Facebook: Connie Bontje
Desperately trying to keep ahead of my pattern, fabric and dressform collection!
  
Member since 1/30/03
Posts: 2172
Send Message
Posted on: 12/19/07 10:33 AM ET
Definitely read the other thread, but to more directly answer your question, many machines have an overlock stitch that requires an overlock foot. It's not the same as produced by a serger, but the results are vaguely similar. Check out this video clip showing the foot/stitch in action. There's also a "side cutter" designed to work with the overlock stitch on a sewing machine, but I can't imagine that it's any comparison for a serger.
------
Leslie
  
Member since 8/4/06
Posts: 30
Send Message
Posted on: 12/26/07 9:16 PM ET
Also know that pressing each & every seam as soon as you get through sewing it. First , lay the seam just as you sewed it & press well (I like to use spray sizing) then lay it out open & press it flat. If you are going to use a special finish for your seams then you don't neccesarily have to open it out but always press again when seam is finished. use a good steam iron, a well padded ironing board & a tailor's ham(for curved/sleeve seams). Be sure to press on the outside also & use a pressing cloth to save your garment from being shiny. Nothing says poor sewing as bad as unpressed seams & shiny fabric (that shouldn't be shiny). If your seams are good & straight & they're properly pressed, your clothes will have a very proffesional look to them.
  
Member since 6/26/05
Posts: 1148
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 12/27/07 9:17 AM ET
In reply to EleanorSews
Quote: EWP601
...One thing you can't duplciate well is a cover stitch hem on knits however...

A twin needle can come close, as long as no-one looks at the bottom of it.
  
Member since 9/14/02
Posts: 2707
Send Message
Posted on: 12/27/07 11:11 AM ET
In reply to rhoda bicycle
I make my own t-shirts and I often have people (including one professional seamstress) who couldn't believe I made my own shirt and/or made it without a serger.

I use twin needle hems, bound necklines, and for the seam finishes, I use an "overcasting" foot but not an overlock stitch. I don't like the overlock stitch on the sewing machine--it's not the same as a serger, it uses up a lot of thread, and it's slow.

Instead, I trim the seam to 1/4" and zigzag the edges together, using an overcasting foot. The seam is small enough and the stitching is not obvious so you can't tell it's "homemade" unless you examine it closely.

I did buy a serger because I heard that the differential feed would help the problem of seams stretching out of shape during sewing. I just made my first t-shirt using a serger and I do think it helps with this. I also like the way the serged seams look.

I learned here on PR that using a walking foot helps keep seams from stretching while sewing on the sewing machine. I used it to sew the hems on my last project and I do think it helped a bit.
-- Edited on 12/27/07 11:12 AM --
  
12 
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Metro Textiles
NYC Fabric Store
Specials!
Discovery Fabrics
High Performance Fabrics
Specials!
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics