Overlocking

Overlocking is a technique of finishing the raw edge of fabric, in which the edge is oversewn with a special interlacing of threads (most often on an overlocker/serger) so that it does not fray or unravel. It is one of the basic, 'invisible' stages of sewing, on which the durability and neatness of a piece from the inside depend. The overlock seam simultaneously trims the excess fabric, draws the edge together and oversews it with several threads, so it works fast and reliably. Overlocking can also be decorative — with contrasting threads along the edge of knit or light fabrics (the rolled hem). The quality of overlocking is one of the marks by which professional sewing is distinguished. In fashion this technique is the foundation of durability. Overlocking is the technical basis of quality sewing, in which a neat finish of the raw edge protects the fabric from fraying, ensuring a piece a clean inside and a long, reliable life.