Franklins Group

Whether you are a hobbyist wondering which is the best sewing machine to buy for beginners or a professional seamstress gearing up to furnish your shop with a fleet of the best sewing machines on the market to boost your production, learning more about your options will assist your final choice.

Domestic sewing machines

Perfect for beginners or sewing enthusiasts working in the comfort of their home, domestic sewing machines are portable and can deal with various fabrics and materials. However, these machines are not made for heavy duty use and may overheat with long hours of work.

Industrial sewing machines

Industrial machines, on the other hand, are specifically built with a powerful motor to endure the long arduous sewing tasks in a garments or shoe factory setting. They are bulkier and heavier compared to domestic sewing machines. Industrial sewing machines have four types based on the design of the needle and arm post.

Flat Bed

Post Bed

Cylinder Bed

Off the arm

Manual sewing machines

Manual sewing machines are now considered vintage finds. These classic models work by turning the hand wheel and pedalling at the same time while you guide your fabric slowly through the needle.

Electric sewing machines

Electric sewing machines have a single motor and a dial for controlling the type and length of stitches. They also have an electronic foot pedal that can make the machine go faster when you apply a little pressure. Electric sewing machines can do an extensive range of stitches and allow you to work with the fabric using both of your hands.

Computerised sewing machines

No more pedals and dials. Computerised sewing machines are operated with a touchpad that lets you program everything from proper tension or the desired length and width for various stitch styles. You can also save previous work sessions to repeat for future use. Computerised sewing machines also feature USB ports that you connect to your laptop when you design.

Overlocker sewing machines

Overlockers are high-speed equipment used to complement a regular sewing machine to prevent fraying and to give a perfect, professional finish to edging, hemming or seaming.

To shop for the best sewing machines in the UK, visit a Franklins store and industrial showroom near you.

Maybe you are already a proud owner of a sewing machine, but you’re a little disappointed with the quality of the hems it is producing? A coverstitch machine may seem like a big purchase, but it promises to make your future sewing a far more pleasant experience.

If you make your purchase wisely and pay good attention to the coverstitch machine reviews, this machine can be simple to use and you can swap spools from your sewing machine with ease.

Why coverstitch?

A coverstitch machine allows the home seamstress to achieve a remarkably high-quality finish at home. You may be able to sew robust seams that also look incredibly neat on many different items of clothing, but they should be accompanied by the perfect hem for your finished garments. You could use a twin needle but every seasoned seamstress knows this has its downsides.

Most coverstitch machines can sew with one, two or three needles, and a looper. One needle, plus the looper, will result in a single chain stitch on the right side and reverse. Whereas, if three needles are used there will be three parallel lines of stitching on the right side of the material, and the looper will have produced a complex thread pattern on the reverse side.

Of course, the most common arrangement is two needles for the classic hemmed look. Due to the capability for three needle positions, you can remove the left or right needle to produce twin-row stitches that are close together or remove the centre needle for a wider set of stitching. In either case, make sure to remove the needle you decide not to use.

Unpicking

Despite how hard we try, sometimes we need to unpick our stitches. This might be hard to believe, but these stitches are the easy to unpick once you know how to do it.

The key is to remember that coverstitching can only be unravelled in the opposite direction to the way it was stitched. Go backwards from the last stitches. If you’ve secured these threads then undo the knot and pull them to the right side of the fabric.

Use a seam ripper to undo a few stitches, giving you enough length to hold – but don’t cut the threads.

When you hold the needle threads on the right and the looper thread on the reverse and pull, the stitches should unravel themselves.

Many a home seamstress have purchased a coverstitch machine over the years and have not regretted their decision. It puts the joy back in hemming, making finishing a garment a complete pleasure.

Contact us

If you want to buy a coverstitch machine, or simply want to learn more about them, contact Franklins Group today. Our highly-qualified staff will provide you with all the knowledge that you require.

Whether you are just getting involved in the world of sewing or are a seasoned pro, knowing which machines are best for each job can be difficult. Below we look at the differences between a coverstitch and overlock machine to help you understand the machines and their individual benefits more clearly!

The coverstitch

Coverstitch machines are most commonly used for chain stitching and to sew knit hems. Coverstitch hems are favoured by professionals due to their smart appearance, which looks like two rows of stitching on the front and a serger-like stitch pattern on the back. A coverstitch machine can use multiple threads and can often sew with up to three needles but only have one looper and do not use a blade. Both utility and decorative effects can be created by a coverstitch machine, which makes it a great choice for versatility.

The overlock

An overlock machine, sometimes referred to as a serger, creates an overlocking stitch which performs more like knitting than sewing. The overlock machine is more commonly used to create a professional finish on the inside of garments, as it prevents fabric from unravelling by trimming and binding seams. Although the overlock machine is mainly used to finish fabric edges prior to sewing, it can be used to create rolling hems, for example, and create finished garments. Unlike a coverstitch, an overlock does have a blade which can cut seam allowances and has two loopers which create the knitted effect of the overlock stitch.

Coverstitch vs overlock – which is best?

There is no definitive answer to which is best, it depends on the project you are working on and your personal preferences. For example, an overlock machine is more useful when dealing with the construction of garments, but a coverstitch machine can create more decorative effects. Consider what your sewing priorities are and select the machine that will work best for you!

Embroidery is a wonderful hobby as, not only is it relaxing and enjoyable, but you’re able to produce beautiful pieces of art as a result. Getting started is easy once you know the basic stitches you’ll be using, so take a look at this handy guide for an introduction:

Running stitch

Probably the most basic stitch you’ll need to use, the running stitch is one you’ll probably be quick to master. Simply put the needle into the material in a motion that goes up and then down. Leave a space between this stitch and the next and repeat.

Back stitch

With this stitch, you’ll be able to create a line that’s solid rather than broken up as with the running stitch. It’s great when embroidering letters and creating outlines. You’ll need to push the needle upwards and stitch forwards. Then, decide how long your next stitch is going to be and pull the needle up at the far end. The needle needs to go back down at the end of the previous stitch.

Split stitch

Begin by creating a simple stitch and then pull the needle through the centre of it. Do the same for all the others, always coming up in the middle of the stitches you’ve made. If you’re creating text it’s important to keep the spaces small, as this makes cursive writing much easier.

Satin stitch

To fill the outlines you created using the backstitch, use a satin stitch. Pull your needle through on one side and push it through on the other, making sure you’re covering the full distance between the outlines.

Contact Franklins Group

To buy fabrics or access Coverstitch tutorials, visit our website or get in touch. Our friendly team are passionate about all aspects relating to embroidery as well as quilting and sewing. Make the most of our professional expertise today.

To the inexperienced, all wool is alike, but if you’re ready to get serious about your knitting projects, it’s time to rethink the yarn you’re choosing. But where to begin? Here are some factors you need to consider when finding your perfect match:

Gauge

The gauge, or tension, of the pattern you’re knitting often affects the kind of wool you need to buy. The pattern you’re following will give you the gauge by telling you how many rows and stitches you should have over four square inches. Although you can use wool that doesn’t match this given gauge, it will appear different from the expected piece, so if you want to accurately replicate your design, make sure gauge is a consideration for you.

Texture

When it comes to texture, you need to consider plies. Plies refer to how many strands make up the thickness of wool, so a higher ply has more strands and will be more substantial than wool of just a single ply. For chunky cabled jumpers choose thicker yarn, but smoother more elegant cardigans are best with single-ply wool.

Colour

Colour is mostly down to personal choice, but it’s good to note that if the wool you’re using has multiple colours within it, you should stick to simple patterns. For more complex designs, solid coloured wool will show up well and really bring designs to life. Although dyed yarns that seem to have a gradient effect can look beautiful, they often require a bit more skill to pull off. If you’re a beginner, stick to the basics before trying more challenging colours.

Contact us

To learn more about wool and fabrics, get in touch with our team. Whether you have questions about knitting, sewing machines or dress patterns, we’re happy to help.