How do I set the machine so it overcasts? The needle position is centered and shouldn't be

Hello, Ellen -

If you do not already own the Singer Overcast Foot for your Singer 5511 Scholastic machine, you will need that. Plus, you will need serger needles.

If you reside in the USA, you can find the Overcast Foot and serger needles here:
SingerOnline.com
Overcast Foot:
https://www.singeronline.com/siovfo0.html
Singer Serger Needles:
https://www.singeronline.com/sisene10pa.html

I was hoping to find a video tutorial online for you, but no luck. I did find written instructions with photos regarding using a sewing machine overcast stitch as a serger. This is the link:
https://doitbetteryourself.club/how-to-overcast-stitch/

Apparently, the Singer 5511 Scholastic isn't a true serger.

Best wishes.

If your machine has multiple needle positions, make sure the needle is set in the center position. Also, make sure you are using a zig-zag presser foot where the opening is wide enough to accommodate an off-center needle or to make decorative stitching. If you are using a straight-stitch foot, then the foot will have only a small circular hole in the center and the machine must be set for straight-stitch only.

It the needle still hits, then the needle bar may be off-kilter. Take it for service.

Look at the Different Types of Sewing Machine Feet

The width of the needle setting is limited by the width of the hole in the needle plate and the presser foot. You really don't want to alter this unless it has been knocked off its specified setting.

Some machines are straight-stitch only, some have 3 position settings (left, center, right), and some newer machines have a variety of needle position settings. Whichever your machine has is what you can use.

...

Don't know the make/model machine.

The following may be helpful:

Sewing Machine Repair Centering The Needle To Repair Your Sewing Machine

Adjusting the default needle position Brother PC 420

Most needle centering issues involve a slight off-center problem that merely requires a slight tweak. However, as it sounds in your case, if the needlebar position is supposedly set to center but it is actually in the right position, then it may require more than a tweak and need adjusting by a technician. It could be that something has slipped so that the needle position selector is out of place.

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set the machine to straight stitching which should keep the needle in the center position
a zipper foot is a normal foot with 1/2 missing
It it still wanders , take it in for a service

On some machines, there is a needle position setting, or a stitch selection for left, right and center of the needle position.
Happy New Year,
Kelly
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

try this link Riccar Product Manuals

I'm a bit confused, this isn't a serger machine as far as I can see. So do you mean an overcasting foot where you sew a XXXXX type stitch along the edge of the fabric? The overcasting foot just helps you to line up the fabric edge and sew over it neatly.

if you go to this page http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/necchi-6022-sewing-machine-parts.aspx
there is an instruction manual for sale.

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2009/06/feet-feet-feet/ is also a great resouce on sewing machine feet with good photos of what they are used for.

Here is a video of overcasting foot in action http://www.sewingmachine-sales.co.uk/sewing_machine_info/video/34/adjustable-overcast-foot.html

If you are wanting to sew knit fabric then you just need to use a small zig zag stitch and a ball point needle to put elasticity into the seam. Or your model may have a stretch stitch, where the fabric is moved forwards and backwards during the stitch formation to add some elasticity.

Sewing elastic stretched onto fabric is a bit different with a SM, can be fiddly and hard to keep everything lined up nicely and stretched. Some machines have a little device which clips onto the needle plate in front of the needle that you can feed elastic through and tighten it to tension it, then just use a three step zig zag stitch to seam over this onto your fabric. But I don't know if Necchi has such a thing, your needle plate would need holes in front for it to clip into. Elna had these on their swiss machines in the 80's but haven't seen a similar device for a while.

Hope I've answered your question and not completely misunderstood your problem. Purchasing a manual is often the best way forward when a machine is unfamilar. Or www.sewing.about.com is great resource.

On page 22 of your manual tells you exactly how to do it. I don't know which model you have A, B, or C, so I am not sure what stitch adjustments you make. But, if you do not have a manual go to www.singerco.com and download your manual for free, then enlarge the diagram and you can see it very clearly. Good luck, and happy sewing.

FIRST DETERMIN NEEDLE BAR POSITION TURN STITCH REGULATOR TO LARGEST STITCH, THEN TURN HAND WHEEL TIL' NEEDLE IS ABOUT TO ENTER NEEDLE PLATE.
AT THIS POINT THE FEED DOGS SHOULD BE JUST AT OR JUST UNDER PLATE. IF SO NEEDLE BAR IS, IN CORRECT POSITION,AND TIMING WILL BE SET AT THE HOOK.
TO SET TIME REMOVE NEEDLE PLATE TURN HAND WHEEL SO NEEDLE IS IN LOWEST POSITION. USING A SMALL RULE RAISE NEEDLE BAR 3/32 OF AN INCH ( OR 3 MM FOR A METRIC RULE) .HOOK POINT SHOULD BE IN CENTER OF NEEDLES WIDTH. LOOSEN THE 2 SHAFT SCREWS
SLIGHTLY,TURN HOOK TIL CENTER OF NEEDLE. TIGHTEN SCREWS. IF NEEDLE BAR IS OUT OF TIME. BRING HOOK TO CENTER OF NEEDLE AND LOOSEN SCREW IN LEFT COVER. RAISE OR LOWER NEEDLE BAR TO SET 3/32OF AN INCH. THE 3/32 MUST BE VERY VERY CLOSE.