The overcast foot has two things that make it special. However, Susan Khalje, a Threads contributing editor and couture expert, would argue that it’s as essential in the 21st century as it was hundreds of years ago.. Susan points out that a hand-finished raw edge, in place of a serged, pinked, zigzagged, bound, or machine-sewn finish, is lighter and more supple. The point of it is the same as the Overlock Stitch, although that is done by machine. Working from either direction, make diagonal stitches over the edge of the fabric. Space stitches an even distance apart at the same depth. Hand overcasting is a couture stitch that is rarely used today. Almost all of your clothes most likely have the Overlock Stitch as the seams, since that is commonly used in factories. To sew an overcast stitch you’ll need to start by grabbing yourself an overcasting foot. Overcast Stitch. … An overcast stitch is used to finish raw fabric edges. My narrowest zigzag stitch hits the bar. After experimenting with the overlocking presser foot, I discovered you can make even a plain zigzag finish look very nice. The purpose is to prevent the cut fabric edges from unraveling. Just be careful and use the hand wheel for the first couple of stitches to make sure your needle is missing the center bar of the presser foot. Generally, the more the fabric frays, the closer together the overcast stitches should be sewn. When you look at the picture below you’ll notice straight away that it has a straight-edged guide on the right side of the presser foot. The Overcast Stitch is mainly used on the edge of fabrics to prevent them from fraying or unraveling. An overcast stitch is used for finishing the raw edges of fabric to prevent it from fraying. 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