I'm looking at buying myself an overlocker, hopefully within the next month. I have a decent budget set aside for this but don't want to pay over the odds! I know a few people have overlockers these days so I thought I'd see if anyone has any particular recommendations or suggestions of things to look out for.

John Lewis is selling a Janome 9200D for £200 and I've seen one glowing review of it online, but I was expecting to have to pay more than that so I wonder if that's not a great model! Equally, I've heard that Brother are the best company to go for when it comes to sewing machines but I have no idea what models I should be looking at.

Anyone have any suggestions or comments? Thanks!

Sewing machines are really individual to the user. Brother and Janome are both good brands, but I do think Brother are slighter higher.

From knowledge of my grandmother, the best sewing machine brand is Singer. She says they can't be beaten.

But hey, £200 is still a lot to spend, and if there is a good review for it then go for that. Just also check the web to see if there is any negative reviews.

My overlocker is a Brother and I swear by it. I got along better with their overlocker than their actual sewing machine oddly. I went and Got a Janome sewing machine in the end. But Brother's overlockers are very very good.

This is part of the problem, it proved difficult to find any reviews at all! It seems like it's a relatively new model so there aren't many reviews out there, and the one good review I found wasn't a proper review as such, it was in an interview with a woman who sells purses at craft fairs. I appreciate her opinion as a professional but it wasn't exactly detailed! Equally, I was looking reviews up on the sneak while I was at work so maybe I'll find more if I dig around better at home


Ooh, which model of Brother machine do you have? Any problems with it as well? I've heard overlockers are universally fiddly to thread - how does yours manage? Thanks!

I have the 9200D and it's a fantastic machine. I know Angelphie also has that one because she showed me all the extra things I had no idea it could do XD

It's all manual knob twiddling, but that just means you need to learn how it works which can only be a good thing. There are more expensive ones that have automated processes e.g. Janome does one with auto threading (Cosplex has that one), but in terms of stitches and hem types they do the same thing at the end of the day, you may just need to stick a different foot on.

I also have a friend with a Juki overlocker which she loves. These are meant to be industrial standard tech sized for the home, so they cost a bit more, but they'll also last much longer (though you won't notice the benefit of that unless you use it most days).

Ultimately the main brands are all suitable for casual costume making and it just comes down to picking one in your price range that does the things you need it for, best not to get carried away with how much fancy stuff it could do that you'll never use.

Most importantly try before you buy. Get into the store, give them a go and you'll find out if you're comfortable with it. You can certainly do this in Jon Lewis. Good luck

I have the Brother 1034D. Hmm It was fiddly at first, but you're always going to have that on your first time trying to thread it. It does have a picture guide when you open it up telling you what goes where, and they give you some massive tweezers to help pull the cotton through. In all honesty, I suck at threading overlockers but once I'd practiced a couple of times, I ended up being able to do it quite quickly xD

I usually struggle setting tensions too, but found it really easy on this machine.

I'd recommend it. Not once had a problem with it.

Also if it's any help: http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/ is amazing. (Yeh the website looks a bit meh, but these are who I've gone to for all my machines. They're the best place to get a good deal on a machine. You also get tons of freebies, which is always good XD)

Sadly I don't think there are many sewing shops anymore, otherwise I'd say try and see if you can have a play with the machines.

Hope you can find one soon ^^ xx

Aha, that is interesting to know - I am not just buying the overlocker for cosplay purposes, you see!


Ooh, all great info - thanks so much!

My overlocker is a Brother 1034D and it's now 3 years old maybe more and still going strong with no repairs needed. Singers used to be good but unless you can buy old school or industrial Singers I wouldnt go for it because they arnt as well made as the latters.

It really depends on your budget and how much your willing to pay, my overlocker was £240 but it was totally worth it! Infact my overlocker and first sewing machine where bought off Argos, gaspith! xD