Table of contents:
What is a serger used for?
The serger (called overlock in English) is an essential machine for achieving clean and professional finishes in sewing. Unlike a classic sewing machine, it allows you to join, cut, and overcast fabric easily in one step. By definition, the serger has one or more loopers and a built-in knife to prevent the fabric from fraying. It is ideal for stretch fabrics, knits, lycra, and fine fabrics, offering 3-thread overlock, 4-thread overlock, and other stitch types for strong assembly. This machine works with spools and cones of thread for multiple threading that allows perfect tension.
How to use a serger?
Starting with your serger may seem daunting, but with a good guide and some practice, it becomes easy to use. Its operation relies on multiple threading, adjusting thread tension, and using the differential feed for a perfect finish. A good presser foot and the right foot attachment allow fabric adjustment without difficulty. Sewing classes or tutorials can help you learn to sew and master different stitch types: straight stitch, zigzag stitch, chain stitch, or rolled hem stitch. The serger allows you to make clean hems and perfect finishes, thanks to options like the upper looper and adjustable differential feed.
What stitches can be made with a serger?
A serger can make several types of stitches depending on the model and available options. The main ones include:
- Overlock stitch: Ideal for joining and overcasting in one operation.
- Cover stitch: Used for finishing hems.
- Flatlock stitch: Allows a decorative effect or a flexible seam.
- Rolled hem stitch: Perfect for light and decorative finishes.
- Narrow hem stitch: Offering a refined finish on fine fabrics.
- Clean edge stitch: For neat and durable fabric edges.
- Chain stitch: Ensures an elastic and strong seam.
Why invest in a serger?
Investing in a serger is useful and allows you to buy a machine to improve the quality of your creations by offering a clean and professional finish. This equipment is ideal for those who want quality finishes without losing too much time. The purchase depends on budget and needs: there are affordable entry-level models as well as professional sergers with advanced options like free arm, adjustable differential feed, or automatic thread tension adjustment. It also offers a great advantage, especially for sewists wanting an elastic and durable finish.
What finishes can be achieved with a serger?
The serger offers many possibilities to achieve flawless finishes. It allows you to overcast and edge the fabric while cutting the excess for a neat result. Quality finishes are essential for careful sewing projects, and the serger provides a neat and professional finish, ideal for ready-to-wear garments. It also allows you to make a rolled hem and narrow overlocks for an aesthetic and clean seam. Overall, cutting and joining fabric has never been easier than with a serger.
How to choose your serger?
To choose a serger, it is important to consider several criteria:
- Range and model: There are entry-level items for beginners and professional sergers.
- Options and accessories: Free arm, differential feed, removable knife, automatic thread tension, etc.
- Price and budget: A comparison helps find the item with the best quality/price ratio.
- Reviews and recommendations: Research popular models to make the right choice. You can count on our expert advice in store.
- Threading system: Automatic or assisted threading makes use easier and avoids mistakes.
When to use a serger?
A serger is ideal for technical sewing projects requiring clean and durable finishes. It is especially suited for stretch fabrics like knits or lycra, as well as for making pieces needing a strong and elastic seam. Whether for sewing, joining, or making a decorative stitch, this overlock machine offers great sewing pleasure and prevents fabric from fraying. It also allows a neat and clean edge, thanks to the combined action of the presser foot, looper, and feed dogs.
What is the difference between a serger and a coverstitch machine?
This is a common question when starting sewing! The serger and the coverstitch machine are two different but complementary machines.
The serger is used to sew, join, and overcast in one step. It cuts the fabric edges, passes the thread through the loopers to create a strong and clean seam, often called overcasting. It is ideal to prevent fabrics from fraying, especially on stretch materials. It can also make rolled edges for a delicate finish.
The coverstitch machine, on the other hand, does not cut the fabric. It is used to make visible hems like those on t-shirts. It sews two parallel lines on the right side, while a looper thread forms a seam underneath. This is perfect for an aesthetic and professional finish.
So, what is the use of each machine? The serger is for joining and finishing, the coverstitch machine for clean and elastic hems. There are also combined machines, but they are more technical.
If you hesitate to invest, know that the serger is often the first purchase after the classic sewing machine because it saves a lot of time. For knitwear enthusiasts, the coverstitch machine is a real plus! Our service can help you choose the right machine according to your needs and creation projects.
How to use your serger?
If you have just bought a serger or if you want to learn how to use it, you are in the right place. Unlike the classic machine, the serger cuts the fabric and makes a perfect overlock in one pass, thanks to its loops and multiple needles.
It generally uses thread cones, with a upper and lower looper, a right needle and a left needle, allowing to create different types of stitches such as the narrow overlock, the zigzag, or the overlock stitch. This stitch is ideal for stretch fabrics or those requiring a neat and aesthetic finish.
To start, it is important to properly adjust the tension, set the differential feed, and manage the feed dogs to avoid waves on fine fabrics. Each thread is adjusted separately, depending on the material and the fabric excess.
Our service supports you to answer every question: from threading to settings, including the use of main stitches. Do you want to understand how to use the overlock stitch or how to manage a fabric excess on the fabric edge?
Find all our tutorials and explanations on the blog to master every function of your machine and easily create finishes worthy of the professionals.
The Serger in Summary
The serger is an essential machine if you want to work on finishes and ensure a clean and strong overlock. Unlike a classic sewing machine, it uses several threads to form, among other things, a chain stitch, ideal to prevent fabrics from fraying.
Its main use is to sew and overcast in one movement, while cutting the excess fabric for a neat and professional look. Thanks to its loop system, it allows making stretch seams, perfect for knit or stretch garments.
One of its advantages is the possibility to adjust thread tension separately, to adapt to each fabric and avoid sewing problems. It is thus easier to create precise and harmonious finishes.
If you want to better understand how it works, here is an example: when sewing a straight line on the right side of the fabric, the serger forms an identical finish on the wrong side. This quick thread passage ensures reinforced strength.
Whether you are a beginner or experienced, the serger can offer you considerable time savings and a professional result. Its smooth and fast working pace makes it a tool of choice for those who want to go further in their sewing creations. Discover in detail how it works and how to use it to transform your daily projects!
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