What is A Serger Used For?
If you regularly walk amongst the circle of sewers, the word ‘serger’ must have come up a few times. If you don’t know what a serger is used for, there’s no shame at all. In this article, I’ll be telling you all you need to know about a serger and the projects that you would be able to complete with them.
What Is A Serger Used For?
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A serger sews seam allowance together while overcasting the edge simultaneously. Also, sergers are more efficient than sewing machines when used for quilting. When sewing nonstretchy fabrics, using a serger will help finish the raw edges while also ensuring that there’s no fraying. Basically, a serger is used to help make your project look more professional.
A server is just like a sewing machine, albeit being able to do certain tasks that sewing machines can’t do. While a normal sewing machine has one thread and one bobbin, a serger comes with 3 to 5 bobbins with 3 or 4 threads attached. This improves the serger’s functionality.
What Is A Serger
Recently, more people have been taking to sewing. This could be as a result of the high price of clothes in the market today or because more people are loving the feeling of creating something unique with their own hands. On the market, you’ll find many types of sewing machine that presents different features and unique capabilities. One such machine is a serger.
The serger sewing machine has become increasingly popular over the years due to its ability to give projects a professional look. For a home sewer, this is an incredibly exciting prospect. Sergers use an overlock stitch to bind fabric together. To create an overlock stitch, it uses about 3 to 4 stitches. It is this finishing stitch you see on garments and skirts. Apart from serger’s effectiveness, this sewing machine does everything it does with an uncanny efficiency. It is these unique features that have endeared several sewers to the serger.
How To Set Your Serger Sewing Machine
One of the first things you’d notice about your serger sewing machine is a set of dials on top of the machine. These dials are the tension settings for the machine’s thread. They are the left needle, right needle, upper looper, and lower looper. The looper settings are specially for the thread that goes around the fabric’s edge to loop the stitches together.
The needle setting is meant for each needle. One thing to keep in mind is that different machines have different settings. It is, therefore, important to check the machine’s user manual to be sure of the unique settings for your sewing machine. The pressure foot tension is located at the top of the machine and is shaped like a little knob. The kind of pressure you’ll need to apply while sewing depends on the fabric you’re working with. A thin fabric like polyester will require less pressure than a thicker fabric like denim. To change the pressure tension, simply turn the little knob in a clockwise direction.
Difference Between Serger And Regular Sewing Machine
Like most people will tell you, a serger is basically a sewing machine with improved features. Below are the major differences that sets both machines apart
- Number of Needles: As you probably already know, a regular sewing machine features just a single needle. In sharp contrast, a serger has multiple needles that all work to get the job done quickly and more professionally.
- Number of Bobbins: With the serger featuring many needles, it is natural that they require multiple threads to be attached to them as well. To ensure this is possible, a serger features more bobbins than you would expect from a regular sewing machine.
- Efficiency: When it comes to efficiency, a serger is no match for a regular sewing machine. As all sewers will agree, time is a huge factor when sewing is concerned and if we are to consider that, a serger trumps regular sewing machines easily.
- Speed control: A serger doesn’t need to be controlled manually, this is because it uses an automated system that controls the flow of threads. On the contrary, a regular sewing machine needs to be controlled manually since you’re sewing with your hands.
- Cutting system: A serger features an inbuilt cutting system that allows you to cut and sew at the same time. For sewers who don’t like cutting with scissors, owning a serger means you never have to worry about cutting with scissors again. On the other hand, regular sewing machines don’t feature a cutting system, hence, you’ll be required to do a manual cutting.
Compare Serger And Regular Sewing Machines
There are different circumstances where both machines are absolutely invaluable. Yet, depending on what you want, there are qualities they both share that makes them appealing to sewers.
Sergers are faster because they can use more than one thread at the same time. They also do not need manual labor like regular sewing machines. Their efficiency is certainly another quality that gives them an upper hand against regular sewing machines.
Another advantage the serger has over the regular sewing machine is in its perfect finishing. The side sews done by a serger is on another level compared to what you can get from a regular machine. The efficiency and effectiveness of the serger ensures it produces a more professional result compared with a regular sewing machine.
On the other hand, a regular sewing machine does not require electricity to work. In 3rd world countries where power supply is not stable, this feature is particularly helpful. Another notablel advantage of a regular sewing machine over the serger is that regular sewing machines are easy to handle and do not require much time spent learning how they work. This means the regular sewing machine is the best machine choice for beginner sewers who are still learning the ropes.
Choosing the best choice is a bit dependent on what you want. If you are a beginner sewer, a regular sewing machine might just be what you need at the moment. When you have perfected your craft and ready to take it up a notch, then you may proceed to get a serger.
Also, if you’re from a place where regular power supply is not guaranteed, then you may want to settle for a regular sewing machine. It will not make much sense if you own a machine you cannot use as regularly as you want it. Meanwhile, if you’re an established sewer who is looking to provide professional quality for customers, then getting a serger is a no brainer.
Overall, the best choice is to get both sewing machines if can afford to. With the regular sewing machine, you can handle the basics while a serger can be reserved for overcasting and other high level tasks.
A serger is an important sewing machine that every sewer requires if they are hoping to give their projects a professional touch. On the other hand, regular sewing machines can be used for sewing in reverse, topstitching, facing, zippers, embroidery, and buttonholes. Basically, these two machine types are equally important. As an established sewer, you ought to own both machines to help handle the kind of sewing your project needs.
Related Question
Can A Serger Replace Regular Sewing Machines?
No, a serger cannot completely replace a regular sewing machine. Tasks like topstitching, zippers, and buttonholes can only be done with a regular sewing machine. While a serger can handle certain jobs on its own, it is still limited when compared to a regular machine.
Do I Need A Serger?
The obvious answer is yes. Sewing with a serger makes your projects look more professional and in a competitive market where there’s a demand for quality more than ever, you need that kind of edge.
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