A serger, also known as an overlock machine, is a type of sewing machine that combines three different tasks while you sew. It sews seams, trims off seam allowances, and finishes raw fabric edges, all at the same time. By combining these three functions, using a serger can save you a lot of time. Sergers and sewing machines are not the same thing, although they have some overlap with their capabilities.
Here are some things you can do with a serger:
- Sew a seam (but they do it differently from a sewing machine)
- Use built-in knives to cut off seam allowances as you stitch
- Make overcasting to finish raw fabric edges
Sergers use multiple spools of thread simultaneously, usually 3 or 4 threads or more, to seam fabric together while also covering the raw edges. The resulting stitches look very different from the stitches a regular sewing machine produces, and give a home sewist a very professional-looking finish. Sergers can be used on many different fabric types and weights for wave-free and pucker-free seams.
Sergers are fast, and they cut, sew, and finish all in one step. They can be used for construction, finishing, or both, like the hem of a t-shirt. You can use from two to eight spools of thread depending upon the model. Some of the things you can do with a serger include seam finishing, making swimwear, T-shirts, lingerie, napkins, table runners, inserting elastic into clothing, decorating garments making flowers or other trims, finishing hem & facing edges with the cover stitch, seaming on knits more quickly than with a sewing machine, and gathering/add ruffle to garments or home décor items (pillow shams) .
In summary, a serger is a specialized type of sewing machine that can sew, trim, and finish fabric edges all at once. It uses multiple spools of thread to create professional-looking stitches that are different from those produced by a regular sewing machine. Sergers are fast and versatile, and can be used for a variety of sewing projects.
