Husqvarna Huskylock S15 Overlocker Review + Videos

Husqvarna Huskylock S15 Overlocker Review:

Price across the web: typically £359. Check Amazon’s price.

Pro: It can do 2, 3 & 4 thread stitches

Most budget overlockers can only use 3 or 4 threads.

The Huskylock S15 will let you create extra stitches like the 2 thread overlock, 2 thread rolled hem, and 2 thread mock flatlock.

These stitches finish lightweight fabrics with less bulk than 3 or 4 threads can.

It’s a useful feature for sewists who want to experiment with different fabric types.

Related: Serger & overlocker stitches explained (with photos)

Pro: It has a free arm

It has a free arm to make sewing tubes of fabric easier. The free arm turns the fabric round the arm as you stitch. This is handy when overlocking sleeves, trouser hems, and children’s clothes.

Not all overlockers have this.

Pro: It has the essential overlocker features

These features are common on modern overlockers now, but still worth mentioning:

• Differential feed. This is essential when working with trickier fabrics. It stops you from getting puckered or stretched out seams.
• Easy to switch to rolled hemming mode. There’s no need to change the needle plate like in the past.
• Colour-coded threading guides printed on the machine. This tells you where to place your threads without having to check your manual every time.
• A retractable knife. You can overlock without cutting the edge.
• Adjustable stitch length and width.
• A high speed. Domestic overlockers tend to sew at 1300 to 1500 stitches per minute (s.p.m). This can do 1300 s.p.m, which is fast.
• Adjustable pressure. You’ll need this to increase or decrease the pressure when overlocking very thin or thick fabrics.
• A waste bin to collect fabric fibres. Overlocking is messy!
• A light above the stitching area to see what you’re doing clearly.

If you don’t understand some of these features, check out my article explaining overlocker terms.

Con: the lower looper is tricky to thread

Modern overlockers tend to have a switch that pulls out the lower looper. This lets you thread it in plain sight.

Older overlockers keep the lower looper hidden and make you reach deep inside to thread it. You have to take the thread back and forth through the machine. It’s not fun.

The Huskylock s15 is in-between. It’s not the difficult design that older overlockers have, but it’s not as easy as the modern switch design either.

If you want something similar to the Huskylock s15 but with easier threading, check out my Brother 4234d or Janome 6234xl reviews.

“Threading the lower looper is a huge pain!!

#1 The upper knife arm gets in the way

#2 there is no lever like other models to help slot the thread into that teeny notch way behind.

#3 As much as you try and position the looper forwards it still requires a tweezer and a fair bit of thread gym to get it in place.”

Hellohippos (2019) on sewing.patternreview.com

Con: it’s noisy

2 buyer reviews complained that it’s noisy.

For context, I would expect any overlocker to make some noise.

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A post shared by Helen Lideqwarn (@sybutiken_i_mariestad) on Jul 30, 2019 at 11:39pm PDT

“It sounds like a loud screaming truck”

Hellohippos (2019) on sewing.patternreview.com

“It’s not quiet. The noises themselves don’t annoy me because I like hearing it work and I know what sounds a machine will make if something is wrong with it. However, I share my home with my mother, and, I only sew when she is not home, because, the machine is that loud…”

theartbook35 (2011) on sewing.patternreview.com

Con: the door is flimsy

2 buyer reviews were concerned about how flimsy the door is. They found it tends to get stuck.

“The front cover needs to be handled with care.

I’m afraid of breaking it, or, jamming it and having to take my machine apart to get it unjammed.

Been there, done that, didn’t like it much!”

theartbook35 (2011) on sewing.patternreview.com

“The door that covers the inside was a bit sticky! I opened it one day and it got sort of stuck!

I was finally able to get it loose, but I ended up having to take the entire cover off (using tools) to get ti done.

I finally put a small drop of oil on it and it works fine now.

Writing this it occurs to me that maybe I should contact Viking and see about getting this fixed for good.

I know from taking the cover off the inside is solid metal, but the plastic casing on the outside is very flimsy.

As I have said, the door is very flimsy and I would worry about it breaking off, then the serger won’t serge with it open.”

guillorypr (2010) on sewing.patternreview.com

Con: there are better options from other brands

When compared to other brands, I’m not sure it’s your best option.

I think the Brother 4234D is a strong contender.

They’re both:

• Priced similarly.
• Can do 2/3/4 thread stitches.
• Have a free arm.
• Waste bin included.
• Same high speed.

However, the Brother 4234D has these advantages:

• Built-in needle threader.
• An easier to thread lower looper. It has a switch to pull out the lower looper for easy access.
• Extra foot included.
• Higher presser foot lift for overlocking thick fabrics. It can reach 5 – 6 mm. The Husklylock is limited to 4.5mm.

I would personally buy the Brother 4234d over the Huskylock s15.

Con: presser foot height

A high presser foot lift is helpful when overlocking thick layers of fabric.

You can raise the Huskylock s15’s presser foot to 4.5 mm.

For most people, that’s fine.

I can get 8 layers of medium weight denim under my presser foot when it’s 4mm high.

However, many overlockers today can reach 5 – 6 mm, like Brother overlockers. Some even claim a maximum of 7 mm, like the Husqvarna Amber Air S 400.

If you work with very lofty fabrics sometimes, you might prefer the extra space that other overlockers can offer.

Husqvarna Husklylock s15 Videos:

Unboxing:

Who this overlocker is best for:

• You want 2 thread stitches.
• You sew a lot, so you want to invest in a mid-range overlocker.
• You don’t need a needle-threader. (If you do, check out the similar Brother 4234D instead).