Why Do I Need a Serger / Overlocker?

Many people are not sure whether to get a Serger / Overlocker or to just stick with their trusted old sewing machine. So, if you’re unsure whether to get a Serger / Overlocker, here are some things a Serger / Overlocker can do:

Serging / Overlocking for a Professional Finish

A serger / overlocker creates neat and professional-looking finishes on the edges of fabric, preventing fraying and unravelling. It both trims the fabric edge and also sews a clean, enclosed seam simultaneously, giving your garments a very polished appearance. If you’re making garments for others or that you want to sell then a serger / overlocker will make all the difference!

Versatile Serged / Overlocked Stitching Options

Sergers / overlockers can perform various types of stitches, including overlock stitches, rolled hems, flatlock stitches, and more. This versatility allows you to experiment with different techniques and decorative finishes.

Serging / Overlocking Saves Time

A serger / overlocker is faster than a regular sewing machine for certain tasks. It trims, sews, and finishes seams in one step, reducing the time spent on assembly and seam finishing.

By actually cutting the fabric as it creates the overlocked stitches, you get an extremely neat edges. Normal sewing machines do not cut away excess fabric as you stitch.

Note: you can disengage the serger / overlocker knife if you are serging / overlocking an item you don’t wish it to trim.

Serging / Overlocking Stretchy Fabrics

Sergers / overlockers excel at sewing stretchy fabrics, such as knits and activewear materials. The differential feed mechanism on a serger / overlocker allows for even stitching on stretch fabrics, preventing puckering or stretching. If you create knitted or crochet garments then putting them together using a serger / overlocker gives you a far better result than a regular sewing machine.

Seaming and Hemming Efficiently with Sergers / Overlockers

When constructing garments, a serger / overlocker is invaluable for seaming and hemming. It can sew the side seams, shoulders, and armholes of a garment quickly, efficiently and leave a very professional looking finish.

Serging / Overlocking Neat Rolled Hems

With a serger / overlocker, you can create beautiful rolled hems on fairly lightweight fabrics. Rolled hems are perfect for delicate fabrics like chiffon and silk, adding a decorative touch to garments. You can also quickly create attractive rolled hem edges on home decoration items such as curtains, nets, table-cloths, table mats etc.

Sergers / Overlockers Reduce Fabric Waste

Sergers / overlockers trim the fabric edges as they sew, reducing excess fabric and minimizing waste. This can be particularly useful when working with expensive or limited yardage fabrics.

Sergers / Overlockers Create Professional-looking Decorative Stitches

Some sergers / overlockers come with a variety of decorative stitch options, allowing you to add intricate details and embellishments to your projects. This feature is great for decorative stitching on table linens, curtains, and other home decor items.

Easy Thread Colour Changes on a Serger / Overlocker

Many sergers / overlockers have multiple spools, which means you can quickly switch thread colours without re-threading the machine completely. This feature is handy when working on projects that require frequent colour changes or multi-coloured decorative stitching.

Enhanced Durability of Sergers / Overlockers

Sergers / overlockers are built to handle more heavy-duty sewing tasks. They have sturdier motors, stronger needles, and robust construction, making them suitable for sewing thick fabrics, upholstery, and other demanding projects.

Serger / Overlocker Seam and Fabric Reinforcement

Sergers / overlockers create very strong and durable seams by using multiple threads. This is especially useful when sewing items that will undergo heavy wear and stress, such as bags, backpacks, or upholstery projects. Likewise trouser seams: if you are making (or mending) jeans which are heavier fabric and where you want the seams to be strong, then a strong serged seam would be ideal.

Ruffling and Gathering with Sergers / Overlockers

Sergers / overlockers can gather or create ruffles in fabric with ease. By adjusting the tension and stitch settings, you can gather fabric for decorative purposes or create evenly spaced ruffles for clothing, curtains, or other projects.

Quick Repair and Alterations with Sergers / Overlockers

A serger / overlocker allows for speedy repair and alteration work. It can easily trim and re-sew hems, replace elastic in waistbands, mend tears, and make adjustments to clothing or household items. Sergers / overlockers stitch at high speeds so, when you get used to it, these kind of repairs are done in a flash!

Efficient Serging / Overlocking of Large Projects

When working on large sewing projects like quilts or blankets, a serger / overlocker can save time and effort. It can efficiently serge together layers of fabric, securing them quickly and evenly. As a serger / overlocker creates a good looking seam, the back side of a patch quilt, for example, can look good and not have lots of rough cut seams.

Finishing Raw Edges on Home Décor with Sergers / Overlockers

If you enjoy making home decor items like table runners, placemats, or pillow covers, a serger / overlocker is invaluable for finishing the raw edges (also with rolled edgings, see above). Serging / overlocking adds a professional touch and prevents fraying, ensuring that your items withstand frequent use and washing.

Lingerie and Undergarment Construction with Sergers / Overlockers

Sergers / overlockers are commonly used in lingerie and undergarment construction due to their ability to sew delicate fabrics with precision. The stretch stitches and rolled hems produced by a serger / overlocker are ideal for creating comfortable and professional-looking lingerie.

Clean and Invisible Seams with Sergers / Overlockers

Sergers / overlockers can create flatlock stitches, which result in flat and virtually invisible seams on both sides of the fabric. This makes them suitable for projects where visible stitching is undesirable, such as swimwear, activewear, or decorative pillow covers.

Neat and Strong Serger / Overlocker Edges

When working on projects that require exposed edges, such as baby blankets or scarves, a serger / overlocker can produce neat and strong edges that hold up well over time. It prevents the fabric from unravelling and adds durability to the finished item.

Creative Embellishments with Sergers / Overlockers

Sergers / overlockers with specialty attachments or accessories open up a world of creative possibilities. You can add lace, ribbons, braids, or other trims while serging, creating unique and personalized designs on clothing, accessories, or home decorations.

Professional Serged / Overlocked Results for Home-Based Businesses

If you run a home-based sewing business or frequently take on sewing commissions, having a serger / overlocker can help you deliver professional-grade results efficiently. It allows you to produce high-quality finishes and streamline your workflow, ultimately enhancing your productivity and customer satisfaction.

But…

You Still Need a Sewing Machine!

Remember that while a serger / overlocker offers numerous advantages, it's not a replacement for a regular sewing machine – it doesn’t do a simple straight line of sewing, for example adding a patch pocket to a garment or applique type work. Both machines complement each other and are useful for different sewing techniques and applications.

Beware Too Cheap Sergers / Overlockers!

Some low budget stores sell very cheap serger / overlockers which may not always handle fabric as well as a more sturdy serger / overlocker and may be more difficult to handle. Always read the reviews before you make an investment and if it’s way too cheap it may cause you more difficulties than it solves!

Please note: as explained elsewhere, the term overlocker and serger have in recent times become synonymous, with “overlocker” being used more in UK and “serger” being used more in USA. In our articles we use both terms, for the avoidance of doubt.