Overlock/Serger/Overstitch Machines

Serger/Overlock Machines

Do you know who Joseph Merrow is and what he accomplished? Have you ever heard of merrowing? We also know who Isaac Singer is , yet Jose[h Merrow invented the next best machine. Well, at least that is my opinion. Since the title of this is Serger/Overlock Machines, I'm sure you guessed. But let's start at the beginning.

Joseph Merrow worked with his father at a family owned knitting mill back in 1838 and both were responsible for quite a few technological advancements that were used in the mill. In fact, their first patent in 1877 was for a crochet machine and the basic design is still used today. They were also responsible for the first shell stitching machine and the first butted seaming machine for continuous processing of textile fabrics.

Interesting Fact: In 1822 J. Makens Merrow purchased a powder mill in Connecticut for the manufacture of gunpowder. Shortly after the purchase it was destroyed by a gunpowder explosion. Although I don't know if anyone was hurt, I'm thankful for this only because of what transpired in later years on the same spot. (The knitting mill was built here)

The technology used for the crochet machine was the beginning of the development of the overlock machine, know at the serger in today's world. This machine was used in the commercial industry and started the term Merrowing which is still used today in the commercial industry. The patent for this machine was obtained in 1889.

The differences between the standard lockstitch machine and the overlock machines are many. First, the overlock machine does not use a bobbin. The early machines consisted of three threads and used loopers to create thread loops for the needle to pass through, very similar to crocheting. During later years the designs changed and the Merrow Machine Company pioneered new machines using two, four and even the one-thread butted machine.
Years since then have shown tremendous changes in the machines we know today. Evolution has been good for the home sewing industry. Be sure, industrial machines and household machines are very different. The main difference is the spped, 800-1200 stitches per minute and has multiple stitch types and industrial machines can sew up to 9500 stitchers per minute and normally sew only one stitch.

Interesting Fact: Only the USA calls them sergers, the rest of the world calls them overlockers.

There are industrial sergers and household machines. Household serger machines sew 800 to 1200 stitches per minute and have several stitch variations; industrial sergers sew up to 9500 stitches per minute with one stitch type.

Who would have know that in the computer age, we would have taken a machine that at times can be very difficult for the average person to thread and control tension to those we have today that are easy to thread and have fully automated self-adjusting tensions. We've come a long way.

So...have you done any Merrowing lately?

If you haven't purchased one yet, be prepared for quite a treat. They come in all sizes and prices. You have to decide what is important to you. Review the features and know your budget.