Easy View Threading LED
A dedicated lower-looper light illuminates the internal threading path where visibility is normally most difficult.
Heavy duty 2, 3 and 4-thread overlocker
Singer Elite SE017 Overlocker
Sew, trim and professionally finish fabric edges in one fast operation. The Singer Elite SE017 combines a more powerful motor, high-speed overlocking, differential feed, adjustable foot pressure and Singer’s Easy View Threading LED in a solid machine designed for garments, stretch fabrics and regular home sewing.
2, 3 or 4
thread operation
6
stitch configurations
1,300 SPM
maximum sewing speed
7.2kg
stable machine weight
The machine that finishes what your sewing machine starts
The Singer Elite SE017 is designed to complement a conventional sewing machine by sewing the seam, trimming the seam allowance and wrapping the raw edge with thread in one continuous operation.
This creates the neat, flexible and durable finish commonly seen inside professionally manufactured garments.
Use it for knitwear, activewear, children’s clothing, everyday garments, home décor, alterations and decorative edge finishes.
Its 2, 3 and 4-thread capability allows the machine to move between secure construction seams, lightweight edge finishing, rolled hems, flatlocking and decorative applications.
Singer Elite performance
More power where thicker seams need it
Singer equips the SE017 with a motor rated at 20% higher wattage than its standard overlocker line.
The additional piercing power helps the machine work through layered seam intersections, fleece, sweatshirt fabrics and other demanding garment areas.
Despite that added strength, adjustable presser-foot pressure and differential feed allow the machine to remain controllable on lightweight and stretch fabrics.
Built for regular sewing
- Heavy-duty internal metal frame
- Enhanced piercing power
- Up to 1,300 stitches per minute
- Adjustable foot pressure
- Adjustable differential feed
- Adjustable cutting width
High-performance overlocking with thoughtful everyday features
2, 3 and 4-thread capability
Configure the machine for construction seams, lightweight finishes, rolled hems, flatlocking and decorative edging.
Differential feed
Control fabric movement to help prevent knit seams from stretching and lightweight fabrics from puckering.
Adjustable foot pressure
Adapt how firmly the presser foot holds fine, stretch, standard and heavier fabrics.
Built-in rolled hem conversion
Move the stitch-finger lever to create narrow rolled edges without changing the stitch plate.
Adjustable cutting width
Move the lower knife position so the thread wraps neatly around the newly trimmed edge.
Movable upper knife
Disengage the upper knife for flatlocking and techniques where the fabric should not be trimmed.
Convertible free arm
Remove the flat-bed extension to overlock cuffs, sleeves, trouser hems and other narrow circular areas.
Better visibility where it matters most
Easy View Threading technology
The lower looper is traditionally the most enclosed and difficult area of an overlocker to see clearly.
Singer’s Easy View Threading LED directs light into this internal area, helping you identify the lower-looper thread path and guide the thread through each point.
The tension dials and threading routes are also colour coded, allowing each thread to be followed independently from the spool to the needle or looper.
- Dedicated lower-looper LED
- Colour-coded thread paths
- Matching tension-dial colours
- Lay-in tension system
- Front cover threading chart
- Tweezers included
6
Versatile overlock stitch configurations
Move from secure garment construction to lightweight finishing, rolled hems and decorative flatlocking.
Choose the right finish for the fabric
2, 3 and 4-thread overlocking
Thread configuration affects seam strength, coverage, flexibility and thread consumption.
The included 2-thread converter expands the available options without requiring an additional attachment purchase.
- Four-thread safety overlock
- Three-thread wide overlock
- Three-thread narrow overlock
- Three-thread rolled edge
- Two-thread overlock
- Two-thread rolled edge
What each overlock stitch is designed to do
Four-thread overlock
The strongest standard configuration for constructing and finishing stretch or woven garment seams.
Three-thread wide overlock
Provides broader edge coverage for medium-weight fabrics and decorative finishing.
Three-thread narrow overlock
Uses less thread and creates a lighter finish on fine to medium-weight materials.
Rolled hem
Rolls and encloses the raw edge for scarves, napkins, ruffles and lightweight decorative finishes.
Flatlock stitch
Opens into a flat decorative seam for sportswear, craft projects, joining and embellishment.
Two-thread finishing
Creates a lightweight edge using one needle thread and one looper thread.
Adjustable differential feed
An overlocker uses separate front and rear feed dogs. Differential feed changes how quickly those two sections move in relation to each other.
Increase the differential setting when stretch fabric becomes wavy or grows as it passes beneath the foot.
Reduce the setting when fine woven fabric puckers or when a deliberately stretched decorative effect is required.
Knit seams
Help prevent rippling on jersey, ribbing and stretch garments.
Lightweight fabrics
Reduce unwanted puckering on fine woven materials.
Gathering
Create controlled gathering by increasing differential feed and stitch length.
Decorative effects
Create lettuce edging and stretched finishes where required.
Fast rolled-hem conversion
No separate stitch plate required
Move the built-in stitch-finger lever to change from standard overlocking to a narrow rolled-edge setup.
The fabric edge rolls as the machine trims and encloses it with thread, creating a clean decorative finish.
Adjust thread tension, cutting width and stitch length to suit the material and the amount of thread coverage required.
Ideal for
- Scarves
- Napkins
- Table linens
- Ruffles
- Sheer fabric
- Decorative edges
- Lettuce hems
- Lightweight garments
Adjustable dual-knife cutting system
The upper and lower knives trim the seam allowance immediately before the loopers wrap thread around the edge.
Adjusting the cutting width helps prevent the thread loops from hanging beyond the edge or causing the fabric to curl beneath the stitching.
The movable upper knife can also be disengaged when trimming is not appropriate for the selected technique.
- Adjustable cutting width
- Movable upper knife
- Stationary lower knife
- Spare lower knife included
- Clean edge preparation
- Consistent thread coverage
Finish narrow circular areas
Convertible free arm
Remove the flat-bed extension to expose the narrower free-arm section.
Tubular garment areas can then pass around the arm rather than being folded or compressed across the full machine bed.
- Sleeve hems
- Cuffs
- Children’s garments
- Trouser hems
- Leggings
- Narrow circular seams
Attachable scrap bag included
Overlocking naturally produces small strips of trimmed fabric and thread.
The supplied scrap bag attaches to the front of the machine and catches much of this waste before it falls onto the table or floor.
Remove and empty the bag regularly, particularly when working with fleece, lint-producing knits or larger projects.
Fast finishing for garments, stretch fabrics and home sewing
T-shirts
Activewear
Children’s clothing
Sweatshirts
Leggings
Woven garments
Rolled hems
Flatlocking
Curtains
Table linens
Alterations
Decorative edging
Important information before purchasing
The Singer SE017 is a domestic overlocker. It is designed to trim, construct and finish seams using overlock stitches.
It does not replace a conventional sewing machine and cannot sew a standard lockstitch, ordinary straight stitch, zigzag, buttonhole or zip in the same way a sewing machine can.
It is not a coverstitch machine and does not create the parallel twin-needle cover hems commonly seen on T-shirt sleeves and lower hems.
The machine uses conventional colour-coded threading. It does not have air threading or automatic thread tension.
Thread tension, stitch length, cutting width, differential feed and presser-foot pressure are adjusted manually.
Included accessory package
Everything required to begin overlocking
- 2-thread overlock converter
- Needle pack
- Two needles fitted to machine
- Small screwdriver
- Tweezers
- Lint brush
- Spare lower knife
- Attachable scrap bag
- Foot controller
- Power lead
- Telescopic thread stand
- Instruction manual
Singer Elite SE017 specifications
| Machine type | Domestic heavy-duty overlocker |
|---|---|
| Thread capability | 2, 3 and 4-thread operation |
| Stitch configurations | Six |
| Maximum sewing speed | Up to 1,300 stitches per minute |
| Motor | 20% higher wattage than Singer’s standard overlocker line |
| Internal frame | Heavy-duty metal frame |
| Threading system | Colour-coded conventional threading with lay-in tension dials |
| Lower-looper lighting | Easy View Threading LED |
| Thread tension | Four manually adjustable lay-in tension dials |
| Stitch length | Adjustable from approximately 1 to 4mm |
| Cutting width | Manually adjustable |
| Differential feed | Manually adjustable |
| Presser-foot pressure | Manually adjustable |
| Rolled-hem conversion | Built-in stitch-finger lever, no stitch-plate change required |
| Upper knife | Movable and disengageable |
| Lower knife | Stationary, with spare lower knife included |
| Free arm | Yes, accessed by removing the flat-bed extension |
| Presser-foot lift | Manual |
| Safety switch | Prevents operation while the front cover is open |
| Recommended needle system | Singer 2022, size selected for the fabric and thread |
| Waste collection | Attachable scrap bag included |
| Machine dimensions | Approximately 340mm long × 284mm wide × 272mm high |
| Machine weight | Approximately 7.2kg |
| Foot controller | Included |
Singer SE017 Overlocker FAQ
Is the Singer SE017 suitable for a beginner?
Yes. It has colour-coded threading, a threading chart and a dedicated lower-looper LED. Like every overlocker, correct threading order and practice are important, but the SE017 includes features that make the process easier to see and understand.
What is the Easy View Threading LED?
It is a dedicated LED positioned to illuminate the lower-looper threading area inside the machine.
Can the SE017 sew with two, three and four threads?
Yes. The included 2-thread converter allows lightweight 2-thread finishes in addition to standard 3 and 4-thread overlocking.
Does it sew rolled hems?
Yes. The built-in stitch-finger lever allows rolled-hem conversion without changing the stitch plate.
Does it have differential feed?
Yes. Differential feed helps control waving in stretch fabrics, puckering in lightweight fabrics and can also be used for gathering and decorative effects.
Can I adjust the presser-foot pressure?
Yes. Foot pressure can be adapted to lightweight, stretch, standard and heavier fabrics.
Can it sew thick fabrics?
It has enhanced piercing power and is suitable for many layered garment seams, fleece and heavier domestic sewing projects. It remains a domestic overlocker and is not intended for continuous industrial production.
Can it sew stretch fabric?
Yes. Four-thread overlocking and differential feed make it particularly useful for jersey, ribbing, activewear, leggings and other stretch garments.
Does it cut the fabric while sewing?
Yes. The knives trim the seam allowance immediately before the raw edge is wrapped with thread.
Can the knife be switched off?
Yes. The movable upper knife can be disengaged for flatlocking and techniques where trimming is not required.
Does it have a free arm?
Yes. Remove the flat-bed extension to overlock cuffs, sleeves, trouser hems and narrow circular areas.
Does it have air threading?
No. The SE017 uses colour-coded conventional threading supported by a lower-looper LED and lay-in tension guides.
Does it replace a normal sewing machine?
No. An overlocker finishes and constructs seams but does not replace the lockstitch, buttonhole, zip and general sewing functions of a standard sewing machine.
Does it sew coverstitch hems?
No. A separate coverstitch machine is required for parallel cover hems like those commonly found on T-shirts and activewear.
What needles does the Singer SE017 use?
Singer recommends its 2022 overlocker needle system. Choose the needle size to suit the fabric and thread.
How fast does the Singer SE017 sew?
It sews at up to approximately 1,300 stitches per minute, with speed controlled through the foot pedal.
Product information and instruction support
Official Singer Product Page
View Singer’s current feature information, highlights and SE017 product overview.
Official Instruction Manual
Read the complete threading, tension, stitch setup, maintenance and troubleshooting guide.
Buy from New Zealand overlocker specialists
Expert advice, genuine warranty support and in-house servicing
Direct Sewing has supplied sewing machines, overlockers, coverstitch machines and industrial equipment throughout New Zealand since 2001.
Our experienced team can explain threading order, tension adjustment, differential feed, cutting width, rolled hems, flatlocking and the correct setup for different fabrics.
Your Singer SE017 is backed by authorised New Zealand warranty support and our own in-house technical workshop. Servicing and repairs are completed by experienced sewing-machine technicians with decades of industry knowledge.
For sewists wanting more power, professional speed, easier looper visibility and versatile 2, 3 and 4-thread finishing, the Singer Elite SE017 is an excellent upgrade from a basic overlocker.