18
Flatlock sewing
A Flatlock Stitch is made by adjusting the tension of the 2- or
3-thread overlock stitch, sewing the seam and pulling the fabric
apart to
Á
atten the seam. The tensions must be adjusted correctly
for the fabric to pull
Á
at.
The Flatlock Stitch can be used both as a decorative construction
stitch, sewing two pieces together (Standard Flatlock Stitch),
or for ornamentation only on one piece of fabric (Ornamental
Flatlock Stitch).
There are two ways to sew a Flatlock Stitch. Either with the
wrong sides of the fabric together to create a decorative look, or
with the right sides together, to create a Ladder Stitch.
Standard Flatlock Stitch
1. Use the left needle.
2. For 2-thread Flatlock: Attach the 2-thread converter (see page
8). Thread the lower looper and the left needle.
For 3-thread Flatlock: Thread the lower and upper looper and
the left needle.
3. Set the thread tension according to the stitch table on pages
23-26.
4. Place the wrong sides of the two pieces of fabric together to
sew a decorative stitch on the right side of the garment.
5. Sew the seam, trimming the excess fabric. The needle thread
will form a V on the underside of the fabric. The lower
looper thread will pull into a straight line at the fabric edge.
6. Unfold the fabric and pull on opposite sides of the seam to
pull the stitches
Á
at.
Ornamental
Á
atlock stitch
1. Place the movable upper cutter in the nonworking position.
The fabric should not be trimmed on this stitch.
2. Follow steps 1-3 above.
3. Fold the fabric piece, wrong sides together, to sew a
decorative stitch on the right side of the garment.
4. Position the fabric so the seam is sewn with part of the stitch
extending off the fabric.
5. Unfold the fabric and pull on opposite sides of the stitch to
Á
atten.
Tip:
The upper looper thread is the prominent thread in the
Á
atlock stitch. Place a decorative thread in the upper looper and
regular threads in the lower looper and needle.
Ladder stitch
To create a ladder stitch, sew with right sides of the fabric
together. The needle thread will be the prominent thread that
creates the ladder.
2-thread
Á
atlock stitch
3-thread
Á
atlock stitch
2-thread ladder stitch
Standard
Á
atlock stitch
Ornamental
Á
atlock stitch
3-thread ladder stitch
