Luna’s Side Cutter Presser Foot Experience
So, I recently got my hands on a side cutter overlock presser foot for my Brother sewing machine collection. I thought, with my Brother SE625 combo machine having side cutter stitches, it’s a good time to play with this new accessory!
Yes, I do have a Brother 1034D serger. But there are days when I’m just not in the mood to go through the rethreading process. The side cutter foot becomes a nifty shortcut, handling the fabric cutting while overlocking with the desired thread color. Curious? Dive into my detailed review and guide below!
Visual Insights on Brother’s Side Cutter Foot
First off, let’s talk about how the Brother side cutter foot appears. It boasts an operating lever on top, while the bottom reveals a guide plate and an upper knife, responsible for fabric trimming. In comparison to your everyday zigzag foot, it’s somewhat bulkier and heavier. The lever, interestingly, moves in tandem with the needle: as the needle ascends and descends, the knife performs its cutting action. ✂️
Comparing the Brother and Generic Side Cutter Overlock Foot
Initially, I opted for a universal side cutter foot, primarily because of its tempting price, which was a mere fraction of what the Brother variant costs. It closely resembled the Singer side cutter foot, looking a lot like a walking foot.
But, my initial enthusiasm dampened when I discovered the downsides of this cheaper alternative. Despite being a pro at troubleshooting, aligning the generic foot became a persistent issue. When pushing it to the limits on my Brother CS6000i, it just couldn’t stand the pace and even broke needles.
Subsequently, I went for the Brother side cutter foot (SA177) and was impressed. It was robust, had a wider base, and anchored fabrics well. Also, the attachment mechanism was much more straightforward, unlike the generic one that felt like attaching a walking foot, demanding extra tools and effort.
Tutorial: Mastering the Side Cutter Presser Foot
Operating this presser foot is a breeze if set up correctly. ️
- Begin by removing the current presser foot using the lever behind the presser foot holder. It should come off with a snap.
- Now, mount the Brother side cutter foot just like you would with any other foot. Ensure the fork on the operating lever surrounds the needle clamp screw.
- Make a small incision (1-2 cm) on your fabric. This guides the presser foot about where to commence cutting.
- IMPORTANT: Don’t just tuck the fabric under the presser foot. You need to position the right section atop the guide plate, with the left side beneath the presser foot. It should spread just like in the accompanying image.
- Once the setup is ready, pick a stitch of your choice, be it straight, zigzag, overcasting, or side cutter. Do test stitches manually first and avoid maxing out the speed.
- With everything in place, start sewing and marvel at the results!
What Fabrics Does It Excel On?
I’ve tested this foot on various fabrics, from cotton and stretchy knit to denim. Here’s a quick summary:
- Cotton: Exceptional results with various stitches.
- Denim: Works well for one or two layers.
- Knits: A bit challenging, especially with knits like jersey.
Side Cutter Foot or Serger?
If budget and space aren’t constraints, I’d always lean towards a serger. It’s faster, handles knits better, and offers versatile stitches. The side cutter foot, however, is a delight for sewers working mainly with cotton and those who don’t require serged seams too often. If I need a specific thread color and want a quick solution, the side cutter foot is my go-to!
Final Verdict
Given a choice, the Brother side cutter presser foot would still make its way to my sewing toolkit. Its convenience and unique features are hard to resist. However, a few takeaways:
- Understanding its operation and fabric placement is crucial.
- It might disappoint with knits. For knit-centric projects, a serger would be ideal.
- Though it can’t replace a serger entirely, it boasts commendable serger-like traits.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Pros | Convenience, good on cotton, versatility. |
| Cons | Challenging with knits, can’t replace sergers. |
| Recommendation | Worth the buy but know its limitations. |