Partner disclosure: SewingInsight.com is a participant in the Ebay Partner Network and Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We earn a small advertising fees by linking to products on Ebay and Amazon. This does not increase the price for you as a reader but you will support our small business.
Necchi ProLock PL 1020 Review (2023 Update)
Note from the Editor: This review was originally written in 2014, and has been revised and updated in 2023. We have added similar alternatives such as Necchi N183, JUKI MO644D, and Brother 1034D.
Necchi is one of those sewing machine brands that was once very popular but then sort of faded away from the scene. If you are at all familiar with the Necchi reputation, then you can just imagine how pleased I was to finally be able to review a used Necchi Prolock PL 1020 serger. It wasn’t until I came upon this one in the used machine department of the Factory Sew-Vac in Lake Worth, Florida, that I had actually seen a Necchi in about 15 years or so.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Necchi brand name, Necchi is an Italian brand that was known for its unique designs. Necchi sewing machines were among the very first ever items endorsed by celebrities. Sophia Loren, for example, had an endorsement contract with Necchi. Another unique trait of Necchi sewing machines was that they were so artistically advanced that they were actually on display in art galleries and museums.
Necchi sewing machines and sergers are still being produced; but, finding an authorized dealer is difficult. The Necchi dealer nearest to my home is about 30 miles away. Those dealerships that do offer Necchis for sale, however, also provide all of the accessories and service necessary to maintain the machines they sell.
Necchi ProLock PL 1020 Overview
The Necchi ProLock PL 1020 is a compact and efficient serger that is designed for those who want to take their sewing projects to the next level. The machine is capable of creating professional-looking finishes on a variety of fabrics, and it features a range of advanced features that make it easy to use. The machine has a differential feed system that ensures smooth and even feeding of the fabric, and it has a maximum sewing speed of 1,300 stitches per minute, allowing you to complete your projects quickly and efficiently. Additionally, the machine has a color-coded threading system that makes it easy to thread the machine, and it comes with a variety of accessories, including four different presser feet and a soft cover for storage.
The machine has a built-in rolled hem feature that allows you to quickly and easily create rolled hems, and it has a knife adjustment dial that allows you to adjust the cutting width to suit your needs.It also has an adjustable presser foot pressure that allows you to sew a wide range of fabrics with ease. Stitch length and width are both adjustable. Overall, the Necchi ProLock PL 1020 is a reliable and versatile serger that is perfect for those who want to take their sewing projects to the next level.
The first thing that catches your eye on the Necchi Prolock PL 1020 are the colorful dials and decals. While many sergers designed for use in the home have color coded threading details on the front, I think the Necchi ProLock PL 1020 is the first one I’ve seen with such eye pleasing pastels.
For some reason, the softer shades of pink, yellow, blue and green seem to be more inviting and soothing than the standard primary shades of red, yellow, blue and green. There is an interesting decal on the left side which shows depictions of controls for the differential feed and stitch length and width adjustment dials.
When you open the door there, you will see all of these controls. I don’t know why these essential controls are hidden behind a door. It seems to me that they should be easier to get to.
The easy to follow threading directions are clearly displayed inside the looper door. There is, however, no space for on board storage of essential serger accessories like tweezers and a needle threader.
What are the features on Necchi ProLock PL 1020?
- Differential feed
- Adjustable stitch length and width
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
- Adjustable cutting width
- Electronic speed control
- Sew with 3 or 4 threads
- Easy to use color coded threading guide
Working on the Necchi ProLock PL 1020
The threading guide on the Necchi ProLock PL 1020 is by far one of the easiest to understand and follow that I have ever seen. I am almost tempted to say that it is childproof. In fact, the schematic actually looks as if it was drawn by a child.
The color coding and extremely clear details are the most user friendly directions I have seen in a very, very long time.
Once the threading process is complete, the fun part begins. If you want to make any adjustments to the stitch length or width or change the setting of the differential feed, it is necessary to literally stop what you’re doing and open the door on the left side of the machine to gain access to the controls.
While this might be somewhat pleasing to some peoples’ eyes, it is definitely not efficient for a busy sewing room.
The quality of the stitches made on the Necchi ProLock PL 1020 is very good. For this survey, I sampled a three thread, one needle chainstitch. While sewing, I noticed that the machine is solidly built and there is virtually no vibration at all. I must add here that I the ergonomic design actually made me feel very comfortable while working on the ProLock PL 1020.
What are some alternatives for Necchi ProLock PL 1020?
We have reviewed several home sergers similar to the Necchi ProLock PL 1020 and here are some alternatives that we recommend.
The Necchi N183 features a range of advanced features that make it a versatile and reliable tool for any sewing project. The serger has a maximum sewing speed of 1,300 stitches per minute, allowing you to complete your projects quickly and efficiently. It can be used with three or four threads, and it has a differential feed system that ensures smooth and even feeding of the fabric. The Necchi N183 serger has an adjustable cutting width that allows you to adjust the width of the cutting blade to suit your needs. It also has an adjustable presser foot pressure that allows you to sew a wide range of fabrics with ease. The serger also has an adjustable stitch length and width that allow you to create customized finishes on your sewing projects, and it has a color-coded threading system that makes it easy to thread the machine correctly.
Other features of the Necchi N183 serger include a built-in rolled hem feature that allows you to quickly and easily create rolled hems, as well as a built-in needle threader that makes it easy to thread the needles. The machine also has a bright LED light that illuminates the work area, making it easy to see your sewing project even in low-light conditions. Overall, the Necchi N183 is a reliable and versatile serger that is perfect for both beginners and more experienced sewers.
Juki MO644D is a 2/3/4 thread serger with auto-rolled hem and a color coded threading breakaway looper adjustment for stitch length and differential feed. It does not sew very heavy fabrics but can work with lightweight and medium weighing fabrics really well. Stitching speed rides up to a good 1500SPM and working with this is rather easy. This device is really quiet while working on fabrics is very smooth. It is a really good device for beginners and people who dont do heavy sewing.
The Brother 1034D Serger stands out as a high-performance companion for beginner sewing enthusiasts. With a robust metal frame, it effortlessly handles multiple layers of denim and other heavy materials. Offering a 3/4 lay-in thread system and versatile stitch options, including overlock, narrow hem, and more, this serger provides professional finishes. Operating at 1,300 stitches per minute, it ensures efficiency without compromising precision. The F.A.S.T. lower looper threading system simplifies thread changes, while the color-coded guides make threading a breeze. Equipped with three snap-on feet, including standard, gathering, and blind stitch, the 1034D offers versatility and ease of use.
Which fabrics work on the Necchi ProLock PL 1020?
| Fabrics that work | Fabrics that don’t work |
|---|---|
| Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester Knits(Medium to heavyweight only) | Fur Reptile skin Canvas/Twill Plastic/Rubber Upholstery Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers Leather/suede |
What are the accessories that come with Necchi ProLock PL 1020?
The Necchi ProLock PL 1020 that I reviewed did not have a full complement of accessories. However, a search of the web yielded that the following accessories were included with the purchase of a brand new machine.
- Tweezers
- Needles
- Cone holders
- Needle threader
- Screwdriver
- Allen wrench
- Lint brush
- Suction cups for the base
- Dust cover
How to maintain the Necchi ProLock PL 1020?
| Maintenance activities | After each use | Monthly | Once each year | As needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean race hook and feed dogs | Yes | No | No | No |
| Wipe head with soft dry cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Wipe head with soft damp cloth | No | No | No | Yes |
| Lubricate | No | No | No | No |
| Service by sewing machine repair professional | No | No | Yes | No |
Necchi ProLock PL 1020 Summary
When you consider the ease with which the Necchi ProLock PL 1020 is threaded, I would say that it is a good machine for beginners who already know how to operate a sewing machine and are ready to move up to the next level. However, as easy as this machine is to thread, it is almost equally as difficult to operate. In my opinion, placing vital controls like the differential feed and stitch length and width adjustment dials behind a door is simply unacceptable.
For one thing, I you have a serger table like mine, you couldn’t even use it because the door is inaccessible because of the table design. It’s one thing to have to move the serger in order to clean it. It’s another whole proposition when you have to move it in order to change a stitch setting.
This is a waste of valuable time when you are busily working on a deadline for a client and don’t have a lot of time to waste. I like the quality of the stitches and absolutely love the threading system; and the overall design makes cleaning away lint and dust from the looper area a cinch. But that all falls short when I look at the controls.
Some may think of this as a very small issue and to those people, I say more power to you. In addition to being easy to thread and producing great stitches, a sewing machine or serger must be user friendly. Hiding anything that one needs to get the job done is anything but user friendly in my opinion.
The Necchi brand has and continues to have a great reputation and a loyal following as far as I can tell. Necchi sewing machines and sergers are now being manufactured in Japan, which is a good thing since it is a known fact that Japanese made sewing machines and sergers continue to maintain the superior quality and workmanship that they were known for several decades ago. The used serger that I reviewed can be purchased for less than $200, which is, in my opinion, a very good deal. As I said, I would not purchase it because of the design.
Even if I did not own the serger table that I now have, I would not purchase it because of the inconvenience involved. Yes, there are some times when I can complete an entire garment on a serger without having to adjust the stitch length or width or without having to change the setting on the differential feed, but those instances are very few and far between.
Having to open a door and close it every time I need to make an adjustment is to me the height of inefficiency. Mine is a very busy sewing room and I simply don’t have time for that sort of inconvenience. I have absolutely no doubt that anyone who actually uses a serger for all that it can offer would feel the same way. Because of this one challenge, I can recommend the Necchi ProLock PL 1020 only for the beginner or for someone who uses their serger for very basic tasks only.
After reviewing, I think that if this description fits you or someone on your shopping list, then you might want to try to find a Necchi ProLock PL 1020 for yourself. You might be able to find one on ebay or at retailer in your local area that specializes in used and refurbished sewing machines and sergers.
Necchi ProLock PL 1020 Review
Summary
The Necchi ProLock PL 1020 is a heavy-duty sewing machine that is designed for quilters and sewers of all levels. It has a variety of features that make it a great choice for a variety of sewing projects, including 200 built-in stitches, 10 one-step buttonholes, automatic needle threader, drop-in bobbin, speed control slider, LED light, large LCD display, quilting foot with guide bar, walking foot, darning foot, overlock foot, free motion foot, automatic thread tension, reverse sewing, needle up/down button, start/stop button, and built-in carrying case. It is a great choice for sewers who are looking for a machine that can handle a variety of fabrics and projects. It is easy to use and produces professional-looking results. However, it is expensive and not as portable as some other machines.
Recommended Posts
If you are an advanced sewist, have a look at our best sewing machines, best sewing books and best sewing magazines posts and if you are looking to get a mechanical, heavy duty, quilting or industrial sewing machine, have a look at some of our great articles. If you are a beginner sewist, review our best sewing books for beginners, best sewing machines for beginners and best sewing machines under $200 to get started.
For brand related articles, check Best Bernette | Best Bernina | Best Brother | Best Husqvarna Viking | Best Janome | Best Juki | Best Singer |
For best accessories, check Best Chairs | Best tables | Best tracing paper | Best machine oils | Best scissors and shears | Best presser feet | Best needles | Best sewing kits |
Happy Stitching.
Would love a copy of the manual for the Necchi Prolock 1020..can anyone help me with that? Desperate!,
I found a NECCHI Prolock Pl1020 for 65.00 have never. Used a serge. Go for it or not?
Where can I purchase a manual for the Necchi serger PL1020? Thank you.