Understanding Sergers
and Choosing Your New Serger

Known in the US as serger sewing machines, they are often called overlock sewing machines or overlockers in other countries, including European countries.

In other words, the words overlock and serger are generally referring to the same type of machine.

What is a Serger?

Janome MB4 Serger Sewing Machine

Look at the sleeve of the blouse or shirt that you are wearing. The seam has been constructed, using a commercial serger (most likely a 4 thread machine).

Some clothing constructed with a serger has a double row of top stitching with a serged look inside. You can get the same look (double row of top stitching) using a regular sewing machine with 2 needles--BUT the difference is that you won't get the same stretch capability.

Some serger sewing machines (5 thread machines) cut, overcast and stitch a straight seam in one operation. (An example would be the Singer serger, Quantumlock 14T 967DC ). This process would be used on seams that have a lot of stretch or stress—like the crotch seam of pants or shorts.

What Makes Sergers Unique?

• Sergers are faster than regular sewing machines.

• They use loopers instead of bobbins.

• When making a seam, they cut the fabric, as they sew.

• They have multiple threads – 2 to 5 threads.

Overlocker Features to Consider
Before You Buy

• Does the serger have a differential feed? This helps it handle light weight, silky or stretch fabrics. It's an important feature for your machine.

• Can it handle heavy weight fabrics? Older models and cheaper machines may only handle light weight or medium weight fabrics.

• Does it have only one stitch or several? How many do you need?

• Can the serger sewing machine do curves? A good machine will do curves easily. A cheap machine will loose the stitch. That means that the loopers drop out ar you round the curve.

• 2-3 thread serger sewing machine – This is the most limited. It can overcast the edge of a single layer of fabric. You could use it for overcasting fabric (like zig-zagging) before hemming or sewing a seam with your traditional sewing machine. It also works well for simple items like scarves and tablecloths.

• 4 thread serger machine – This is the most popular overlock machine. Unlike the 2-3 thread machine, this one makes seams. It is commonly used in ready to wear clothing for seams that don't receive a lot of stress.

• 5 thread overlock sewing machine – This is the most expensive serger sewing machine and the most versatile. It sews seams, but with this machine you can sew high stress seams.

  The machine makes the traditional overlock stitch, but it also makes a straight stitch simultaneously. This is called a safety stitch. If the seam rips because of pressure or stress, it has the safety stitch to “save” you (or keep the seam from totally coming apart).

While some projects can be completed, 100% on a serger, don't expect a serger to replace your regular sewing machine. You will still need your machine to do facings, top stitching, buttonholes, zippers, etc.

Now that you know what to expect in a serger, let's look at a few sergers and their reviews to see what other people like and dislike in their overlock sewing machines.

Here are some other topics about sergers that may interest you:

• Elna 945
• Bernina Serger Features
• Janome Compulock Serger 888
• Janome Mylock 634d
• White Serger - Models 2900 and 1600
• Janome Compulock 888
• Janome Serger Reviews
• Brother 1034d
• Singer Tiny Serger
• Singer Sergers
• Used Sewing Machines
• Brother Overlock
• Viking Overlock
• Pfaff Overlock
• Elna 744
• Babylock
• Janome CoverPro
• Huskylock 936

Sergers to Best Sewing Machines