They’re not like regular sewing machines, and offer the user a range of decorative stitches and finishes, adding a level of flair to your garments and designs. There are many reasons why the best serger machines enjoy a reputation for being so good. They are built a little differently and offer certain features that the basic Sergers do not.
When you know what to expect from a quality product, it makes your sewing experience more enjoyable. If you are new to this, then our buyer’s guide is a must-read before you make a decision. That way, you won’t find yourself caught short later down the line when the machine doesn’t live up to your expectations or skill level.
Stitches Per Minute
For the machine to power through your stitches and allow you to move onto the next design, it has to have a decent top speed. Most Serger machines tend to give you around 1,300 stitches per minute but even 1,100 is going to give you a speedy machine. Anything above this and you are entering the professional level.
Sharp Blade
Because a serger machine cuts the fabric, it needs to have a strong, sharp blade before it does so. This is part of what makes the process of using a serger sewing machine faster than a regular one so it should be one of your top considerations.
Thread Options
This is one of the big sells for a serger machine and the best available will usually display the number of thread options they give you proudly. 4 threads is a good number to aim for although you can get plenty of use out of 3 threads.
Easy Threading
The set up of your serger machine will go a long way towards the enjoyment you get from using it. The best sergers will be easy to thread, often using a color-coded system that clearly displays where you need to place each thread to get your desired results.
Storage Compartment
Because there are so many intricate parts to a serger machine and lots of accessories, it is always a good idea to find a product with a storage compartment. This is where you can put your spare needles, bits of thread and other trinkets that come in use. A lot of machines have this as standard and they are a good way of ensuring you can keep a clear work area.
Heavy-Duty Frame
The body of the serger machine needs to be built well, preferably from heavy metal to ensure it doesn’t shake and vibrate more than what is comfortable. This might add some weight to the machine but this should be considered a good thing.
Instructional DVD
Even a beginner’s serger machine can be difficult to get to grips with if you haven’t used one before. This is why it is always good to buy a product that comes with easy to follow instructions. A lot of people find instructional DVDs to be one of the easiest ways of navigating their way around the machine and it can help you to learn how to use multiple features in a quick time.
Warranty
This is where brand reputation can play a big part in your decision. The major serger machine brands tend to provide the more generous warranties and this can be anything up to 25-years. Although it shouldn’t put you off buying a quality machine, the more you spend, you more you will want to protect your purchase.
There are many benefits to choosing a Serger machine and a lot of them are unique to this type of sewing machine. You’ll find it hard to get your hands on a regular sewing machine that offers this range of stitch options.
Some of the main reasons people buy Sergers include the fact that they can create minuscule rolled hems, as well as flatlock seams and can finish a seam in a single pass.
There are benefits to both but A serger machine makes fast work of the likes of quilting as you have more than one bobbin and multiple threads at your disposal.
Before they sew, a serger machine cuts with a blade that rests near the needles before they stitch. This means you don’t have to cut the fabric so precisely.
Because sergers use multiple needles they can speed through stitches faster than regular sewing machines. A serger has an automatic speed that controls the flow and although it can depend on the model, they are usually faster than a regular machine. One of the major benefits that a serger machine can offer is the side sew and finishing stitches that look great.
There are certain things an owner needs to do to extend the lifespan of their serger machine. Like other sewing machines, they are not immune to the likes of dust build-up so one of the first things to make sure you have is a protective cover.
Some people use an air spray can to push the dust from the hard to reach places. It is always a good idea to oil the moving parts of your serger machine every once in a while to keep them lubricated and in good working order. There are specific sewing machine oils that are tailor-made for such a need.
You can pick up a good serger machine for not a lot more than $200 but these tend to be best for beginners.
The more experienced sewer will likely want something with more features and if this is the case then expect to pay around $400 for the privilege. A professional-grade serger machine is going to cost anything between $500 – $1,000 but these are built to last and have every feature you could imagine.
Your experience level, budget, and needs should be some of the major factors to consider when buying a serger machine but even if you don’t have as much to spend, you can still land yourself a reliable machine.
A serger machine and an overlocker and two names for the same machine. Because Americans tend to call these machines Sergers, they are taking on this name in a lot of media and online although the rest of the world tends to call them overlockers after the overlocking stitch which is similar to knitting.
For a lot of people, the best serger machine is the one that is easiest to use whilst other people will find that one with all the features they need is the best.
However, after looking at the market, we consider Brother’s 1034D 3/4 Thread Serger with Differential Feed to be the best serger machine available. It’s mix of 3/4 thread options and 22 built-in stitch functions give you lots of different ways of using it for your projects.
This, combined with the fact that it has lots of stitch adjustment options and 1,300 stitches per minute make it one of the best, and certainly great value for the price.
