A serger is not a conventional sewing machine. It is a kind of sewing machine that gets together two or more pieces of fabric by binding them with an overlock stitch. For one overlock stitch to be created, the machine needs to generate three to four specialized stitches all at once.
So, not only will the serger machine hem or edge the fabric, but it will also sew over the top of the material so that the overall stitch is firm, taut and neat. It also gives a professional look to the underside of the fabric.
Because these machines are designed to make overlock stitches, they are also known as overlock sewing machines.
What is an Overlock Stitch?
If fabric needs to be edged, hemmed, or seamed, it can be attractively done by using an overlock stitch. As the cloth is fed through the machine, an overlock sewing machine will typically cut the edges of the fabric as it sews.
Advantages of a Serger Machine
- The market has sergers with 2-4 threads, 3-4 threads, and 5 threads. The extra threads give the sewer more fabric stretch, wider seams, and overall more durability. Sergers are particularly helpful when sewing with knits and other stretchy fabrics.
- A serger sewing machine comes with several stitches–flat lock, cover stitch, chain stitch, and rolled hem, apart from many fancy ones. All these go to make the fabric more long-lasting.
- It is time-saving to use a serger as it finishes edges and seams swiftly, allowing you to decorate the fabric with fancy threads and stitches. Puckering on fabric is also eliminated here.
- If you regularly sew your family’s garments or are a professional, high-volume sewer, it would help you to have a serger as it works fast and precisely.
Why Every Sewer Should Have a Serger
A serger is a valuable stitching tool for both hobbyists and professional seamstresses. Here are a few principal reasons why:
- When sewing with woven or non-stretchy material, a serger helps finish its raw edges and so prevent the material from fraying.
- A serger works to provide a more durable seam and a professional look to the material. The machine gets rid of the seam allowance while simultaneously sewing.
- Garment seams often give way in sections, so to give a uniformly neat and sturdy look to your garments, serging them will go a much longer way. It works particularly well with stretchy fabric.
- It is time-saving, so you can get much more done at a time.
- It also works well with quilting, creating noodle straps, rolled hems and flatlock seams.
Choosing a Serger Machine
If you are convinced that you want a serger machine of your own, choosing among the top sergers will be a daunting task, as each model is endowed with certain special, must-have features.
For a first-time serger, it’s best to choose one that’s moderately priced and has some great features, too. Be warned that whether you want the best serger machine or any other, you can never find a cheap serger, as these machines are on the expensive side.
Whereas an entry-level serger could easily cost you $200, a high-end one could set you back by $500. Instead of putting so much money down on a new serger, it would be better to find a good bargain online.
You can also reduce your confusion and time on searching for the best overlock sewing machine by checking them out on Amazon.com and other merchant sites.
One of the top machines of this year is the Brother 2340CV. This is an advanced form of the traditional serger on which you can perform a variety of stitches.
Yet another excellent choice is the Brother 1034D, known for its high-performance and easy to use abilities.
The JUKI MO 1000 stands tall above the competition due to its unique features, one of which is the push-button jet air threading.
These are just three of the best sergers in the market today. However, the demand for this product seems to be on the rise, so it’s anyone’s guess what the best sergers of 2025 will be.