Flatlock Sewing
A flatlock is made by adjusting the tension of the 3-thread overlock stitch, sewing the seam and pulling the fabrics apart to
flatten the seam. The tensions must be adjusted correctly for the fabric to pull flat properly.
A flatlock can be used both as a decorative construction stitch, sewing two pieces together (Standard Flatlock), or for decoration
only on one piece of fabric (Decorative Flatlock).
There are two ways to sew a Flatlock. Either with the wrong sides of the fabric together to create a decorative look, or with the
right sides together, to create a Ladder Stitch.
Standard Flatlock, Wide
Thread the lower and upper looper and the left needle.
Place the wrong sides of the two pieces of fabric together to
sew a decorative stitch on the right side of the project.
Sew the seam, trimming the excess fabric. The needle thread
will form a V on the underside of the fabric. The lower
looper thread will pull into a straight line at the fabric edge.
Unfold the fabric and pull on opposite sides of the seam to
pull the stitches flat.
Decorative Flatlock, Wide
Deactivate the upper cutter (see page 15). The fabric should
not be trimmed on this stitch.
Thread the lower looper, upper looper and the left needle.
Fold the fabric piece, wrong sides together, to sew a
decorative stitch on the right side of the project.
Position the fabric so the seam is sewn with part of the stitch
extending off the fabric.
Unfold the fabric and pull on opposite sides of the stitch to
flatten.
Tip: The upper looper thread is the prominent thread in the flatlock
stitch. Place a decorative thread in the upper looper and regular threads
in the lower looper and needle.
Ladder Stitch
A ladder stitch is sewn as a decorative flatlock, but is sewn
with the right sides of the fabric together. The needle thread
will be the prominent thread that creates the ladder.
5 Stitches and Sewing Techniques
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