What's the difference between a Serger machine and sewing machine?

Question

I'm a sewing novice. I've got a sewing machine that I've used to make 1 quilt, 1 blanket, 1 dress and 2 Christmas stockings. So I'm very novice. My mother works estate sales so she's always on the lookout for me, to get sewing stuff and has come across a few Serger machines. So, what's the benefit of these things and what's the difference?

Answer 1

A serger cuts the excess fabric edges (seam allowance) off as it "overlocks" so you don't have to use a pinking shears after you sew the seam or you don't have to go back and zig zag your edges to prevent them from unraveling. Major benefit!

More benefits:
Saves time -- can sew about 1500 stitches per minute
Saves more time -- you can't sew over the pins because of the fabric blade so as you improve, you can go pin-free
Saves even more time -- you don't have to go back and finish your edges
Projects look more professional -- look inside the sleeves of the shirt you are wearing right now. Those seams were serged at the factory.
Stretchy fabrics are a breeze to sew with a serger, as it is a stretch stitch-- you don't have to stretch your project as you sew it, so there is less shape distortion. On a regular sewing machine, you have to stretch it as you sew it. If you don't, when the fabric tries to stretch, the threads in the seam break.

On the downside, they are a little trickier to thread as they have no bobbin, so make sure you have the instruction book. The timing can be off so while it appears to work when it is plugged in, it will not sew properly even when threaded properly and will need an adjustment/tune-up at the shop. Tensions can be tricky, too, as there will be from 3-5 tension knobs, depending on the number of spools used.

Have your mother visit a few sewing machine shops so she can become familiar with the better brands of sergers so she knows what to watch out for. If she can get a great deal on a better machine (not one that came from Walmart or Target), have her pick it up for you. You might not be ready to use it on a real project as of yet, but you can start learning about it and practicing on scraps. It will have so many possibilites!

The one drawback -- making mistakes. It will take longer to take out the seam and since it has cut off your allowance, there is no turning back. The piece of fabric will be smaller so you will have to figure out what to do.

All in all, go for it and if your mother comes across any extra sergers, send one to me as I can never have enough different sewing machines!

Answer 2

An Overlock-Sewing Machine also known as a "Serger" sews and hems seams and cuts off the leftover cloth. They have no bobbins, using instead 3 or 4 thread cones. Some overlock machines can be set up to do a rolled or blind hem, but all can bind off the edge with an overcast stitch.

Technically, a "Serger" is an Overlock machine that uses 5 thread cones. In practice, a person referring to a serger generally means any overlocking sewing machine

Answer 3

If you are a novice you are not going to need a serger for a while unless you seriously plan to sew a lot of clothing or rolled edges, or stretch fabric. It does create hems and edges that have a commercial look. But it is not easy to learn how to thread and adjust tension on a serger. If you run across one for a steal, get it. You can go take lessons on how to get the most out of it.

Answer 4

See "Lance"'s answer. He is right. I have a serger, and believe me, it gets used. It is great for everything, but if you sew fabrics that ravel easily it can't be beat. It cuts and binds off the edge leaving it ravel free. The first time I used my serger I made a Christmas tree skirt out of burlap. Impossible without the serger since burlap ravels so badly. I got a blue ribbon for it too! Try it, you'll be glad you did!