Flatlock is a sewing machine stitch that butts two edges of fabric with no overlap.1 The flatlock stitch is used on swimwear, active wear, and infant clothing.2
Description
It is commonly used in sports wear as there are less fabric to chafe.1 A similar stitch can be achieved on overlock machines, but the result is thicker as the cloth slightly overlaps.1 However, some industrial overlock machines can do flatlock stitches.3 Yamato Sewing Machine Mfg. advertises their interlock sewing machines as "Flatlock/Coverstitch" machines.4
While home overlock machines can produce a mock flatlock stitch that is similar to the flatlock of a commercial flatlock machine, it lacks strength because it only contains 3 threads instead of the 6 threads in a true flatlock stitch.5
References
References
- Fasanella, Kathleen (18 February 2009). "Flatlocking compared to cover stitching and overlocking". Fashion-Incubator. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- Kiron, Mazharul Islam (12 February 2012). "Flat Lock Sewing Machine: Parts, Specifications and Working Mechanism". Textile Learner. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- Adscultin (29 February 2024). "Overlock vs. Interlock sewing machine - Balaji Sewing Machine Pvt. Ltd". balajisewing.com. Balaji Sewing Machine pvt ltd.
- "Interlock Sewing Machines (Flatlock Machines) | Products". Yamato Sewing Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd. Yamato Sewing Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd. Retrieved 25 May 2025..
- Lombardi, Alex (26 June 2019). "Q&A: Real vs. Mock Flatlock". Threads. Active Interest Media. Retrieved 25 May 2025.