BROTHER 3034DWT
A 3- or 4-thread overlocker with a wide table and a trim trap. It sews the seam, trims the excess fabric and overlocks the raw edge in one step.
The knife trims the fabric edge while the overlock stitch finishes it. Brother says the 3034DWT is designed for finishing the edges and hems of a wide range of fabrics and for creating decorative edges, and lists the skill level as intermediate.
A four-colour threading guide and the F.A.S.T. lower looper threading system make threading easier. With the bed extension removed you get a free arm, which suits sleeves, cuffs and children's clothing. A wide table and a trim trap are included.
Features
Colour-coded thread path
Each threading point has a colour mark and a number: the lower looper thread follows the blue marks, the upper looper the green marks, the right needle the pink marks and the left needle the yellow marks. The F.A.S.T. system helps with threading the lower looper.
Differential feed
The dial at the bottom right of the body changes the differential feed ratio from 0.7 to 2.0. The setting 1.0 is normal. A ratio below 1.0 stretches the fabric as it is sewn, so thin fabric does not pucker. A ratio above 1.0 gathers the fabric, so stretchy fabric does not ripple. The more elastic the fabric, the further the dial should be turned towards 2.0. Test the setting on a scrap of the same fabric. Do not use the differential feed on thick non-stretch fabrics such as denim, as Brother warns that it may damage the fabric.
Stitch length is set with a separate dial on the right side of the body.
Removable bed extension
With part of the sewing bed removed, you are left with a free arm. This makes it easier to sew sleeves, cuffs and children's clothing.
More features
Wide table
A wide table is included.
It extends the sewing area for larger projects.
Trim trap
The trim trap catches fabric scraps and thread trimmings.
It can also hold the foot controller when the machine is not in use.
Take the foot controller out before carrying the machine.
LED light
A bright LED light illuminates the sewing area.
Presser foot pressure adjustment
- The screw at the top left sets the presser foot pressure to suit the fabric.
- The normal setting is “2”.
Blind stitch foot
- A blind stitch foot is included.
- It lets you finish the edge and sew a hem in one operation.
Retractable knife
- When you do not want to trim the edge, you can retract the knife.
- Do not leave pins in the fabric while sewing: the manual warns that they can damage the needles or the knives.
Rolled hem and narrow overlock
- With the left needle and the stitch finger removed, you can sew a narrow overlock stitch and a rolled hem.
- These stitches suit lightweight to midweight fabrics.
- Set the stitch length dial to “R” (rolled hem) or “R–2” (narrow overlock) and the stitch width dial to “R”; sew with the right needle.
- Brother recommends woolly nylon thread in the loopers.
Accessory storage
- The front cover compartment holds the needle set, tweezers, hex driver and the removed stitch finger.
Thread twist protection
- Brother states that thread twist protection and needle plate separation improve sewing quality.
Speed control with the foot controller
- A light press on the foot controller runs the machine slowly, pressing further increases the speed, and releasing it stops the machine.
- The power switch also switches the light.
Maintenance
- According to the manual, oil the machine before first use and, in normal use, once or twice a month (once a week with heavier use) after removing lint; clean dust with the included brush.
Carry handle
- The overlocker has a carry handle and weighs 5.6 kg.
Thread chain at the start and end of a seam
- An overlocker leaves a chain of threads at the start and end of a seam.
- According to the manual, when the seam is finished you let the machine run slowly so the chain forms, then cut the threads at about 5 cm.
- The chain can be secured in two ways: sew back over it and trim the rest with the knife, or pull it into the end of the seam with a large-eye hand-sewing needle and fix it with a drop of fabric glue.
Motor and ventilation openings
- During continuous running the motor block warms up, but the manual says this does not affect performance.
- The ventilation openings on the side and rear of the machine must not be covered with paper or fabric, and lint, dust, fabric and thread ends must be cleaned off the vents and the foot controller regularly.
- While the motor runs, sparks may be visible through the vents in the motor block; the manual says they come from the carbon brushes and the commutator and are completely normal.
Changing needles
- Needles are changed with the included hex driver.
- First switch the machine off and turn the handwheel until the mark on it is aligned with the line on the machine.
- Then loosen the set screw of the corresponding needle and remove the needle.
- Hold the new needle with its flat side away from you, insert it as far as it will go and tighten the screw securely.
- If the needles are inserted correctly, the right needle sits slightly lower than the left one.
Handwheel
- The handwheel turns counterclockwise, the same direction as on an ordinary home sewing machine.
- The needles reach their highest position when the mark on the handwheel is aligned with the line on the machine.
Stitches
Brother lists the stitches below. The picture shows five stitch samples sewn with blue thread. Blind hem and flatlock are sewn with the left needle; the right needle is removed. The flatlock method is not suitable for thin fabrics. The elastic taping foot and the pearls and sequins foot are sold separately.
- 4-thread overlock
- 3-thread overlock, 5 mm (left needle, right needle removed)
- 3-thread overlock, 2.8 mm (right needle, left needle removed)
- Narrow overlock
- Rolled hem
- Blind hem (with the blind stitch foot)
- Flat lock (with the blind stitch foot)
- Pin tucks (with the blind stitch foot)
Technical specifications
| Fabrics | Fine to heavy |
|---|---|
| Maximum sewing speed | 1300 stitches per minute |
| Stitch width | 5–7 mm (dial range); 2.3–7 mm in the manual's table |
| Stitch length | 2–4 mm |
| Normal stitch length | 3 mm |
| Differential feed ratio | 0.7–2.0 |
| Needle bar stroke | 25 mm |
| Presser foot lift | 5–6 mm |
| Tension dials | 4 colour-coded dials (left needle – yellow, right needle – pink, upper looper – green, lower looper – blue); position “4” works for most cases |
| Seam allowance guide | 9.5, 12.7, 15.9 and 25.4 mm (with the stitch width dial at “5”) |
| Fine fabrics (e.g. georgette, lawn, organdy, tricot) | Stitch length 2.0–3.0 mm, needle #80 |
| Medium fabrics (e.g. broadcloth, gabardine, serge) | Stitch length 2.5–3.5 mm, needle #80 or #90 |
| Heavy fabrics (e.g. tweed, denim, knits) | Stitch length 3.0–4.0 mm, needle #90 |
| Needles | 130/705H – standard home sewing machine needles (#80 or #90 recommended) |
| Threads and needles | 3 or 4 threads, one or two needles |
| Knife drive | Driven from below |
| Weight | 5.6 kg |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 33.5 × 28.2 × 29.6 cm |
| Intended use | Household use (according to the Brother manual) |
| Warranty | 3 years (1 year for commercial use, according to Brother) |
In the box
In the box, according to the Brother manufacturer's page and operation manual.
- Soft cover
- Accessory bag
- Blind stitch foot
- Gathering foot
- Piping foot
- Trim trap
- Wide table
- Thread (4 pcs)
- Tweezers
- Spool nets (4 pcs)
- Thread spool caps (4 pcs)
- Cleaning brush
- Hex driver
- Needle set 130/705H (No. 80 – 2 pcs, No. 90 – 2 pcs)
- Foot controller (with power cord)
- Instruction DVD
- Instruction manual
Optional accessories (not included in the box)
List compiled from the Brother operation manual and the Brother support page section 'Consumables & Options' for this model.
- Pearls and sequins foot SA211 – lets you sew a sequence of pearls onto fabric; the manual calls it the “Pearl sequence foot” and gives pearl sequences of 3–5 mm, while the Brother support page gives pearls and sequins up to 5 mm in diameter; the manual mentions decorating the edges of curtains, tablecloths and dresses
- Tape and elastic foot SA212 – lets you attach elastic or tape in one step; the manual gives a tape or elastic width of 6–12 mm
Manuals
Any questions?
Call +370 685 85915 or email info@siuvimomanija.lt. We will help you check whether this overlocker is right for your work.