Overlocker workshop 1

Today i am working in the stitch workshop and practicing on the overlocker. As i have already ordered the bulk of my samples i am able to overlock these throughout the day while practicing my skills. Throughout the session i made a few notes of key information i will need to consider when returning to the overlocker at a later date. As well as simply hemming my samples, Maggie has also provided me with a company i could go to if i want to present these in a book. At this stage i am not sure if i want them bound or in a book; however, it will be useful to research into different companies that provide these services and the costs involved.

• 6234XL
• Blog about stitch and wrong stitches STD- correct. R.H.- wrong (rolled hem)
• Abby book binding
• Tension 3/4. Stitch length 2.5. Differential feed (edited for stretchy fabrics anything over 1- experiment)

As setting up the machine is quite complex i have photographed it when threaded up. Today i have spent a vast amount of time threading and unthreading the machine so i can remember the process and am feeling a lot more confident after this than i was at 11 this morning.

Although there are different processes for shear and heavy fabrics today i have decided to dedicate to learning the process for heavier weight fabrics. As the two processes are so complex in themselves i feel breaking it down like this will make it much easier to learn and remember. Next Monday i i will return to the stitch room to practice what i have learnt today and relearn how to hem shearer fabrics.

Although not picking up the technique for shear fabrics i did practice with Maggie earlier today. The outer fabric in the image bellow shows a hem on a heavier weight fabric (what i have been practicing) and the inner on a lighter fabric which i will practice next week.

Today i managed to hem all my thicker samples. Overall this did not take too much time as once you know what to do the process is actually quite quick. Within one of my two tutorials today with Helen i asked her about how i should present my samples. In previous moguls i have just stuck them into my sketchbook; however, with the amount i have i thought they would be better presented in a different way. From our discussions i feel presenting them in a separate sketchbook would be the most appropriate as this would be a neat and professional way to do it.