So, what is a Serger?
After reading the headline of this article, you might have found yourself asking, “What is a Serger?” You aren’t alone! It is a piece of machinery that is frequently discussed but not generally explained.
A Serger, also known as an overlock machine, is “a specialized sort of sewing machine that trims, stitches, and overcasts the cloth edge simultaneously,” to put it more plainly. This explanation is rather basic; nonetheless, in the following paragraphs, we will go more deeply into the real jobs performed by a Serger so you can get the full picture of what is a Serger?
Sergers create the seams that are commonly found in t-shirts. In addition, you can tell that a Serger was used to finish the seam allowances on practically every clothing you purchase from a retailer if you examine the inner of the garment. Today, we’ll be discussing the differences between Serger Vs Sewing Machine.
Serger machines
This is the part of the machine where the majority of its impressive feats are accomplished. A Serger is a sewing machine that combines three operations that every seamstress requires into one convenient device. A Serger:
- Cuts the excess fabric from the seam allowance of your clothing.
- Performs stitches on a seam.
- You can keep your cloth from fraying by overcasting the raw edges of it.
- When you combine these three capabilities, you may produce a garment that looks like it was made by a professional in a fraction of the time.
Should I invest in a Serger?
After learning about what is a Serger? This is the next question you will be asking. If you sew anything outside clothing, you’ll probably find that one of these is helpful. A Serger is an indispensable piece of equipment for anyone who sews garments. This machine can do various tasks that either can’t be done on a sewing machine or would take you much longer to complete if you didn’t have access to one.
If you wish to stitch knit and stretch materials, you should use a Serger instead of a regular sewing machine. Because the stitches a Serger produces contain an inherent stretch, the thread is protected from breaking even when a seam is stretched. This is one of the first differences between Serger Vs Sewing Machine.
What is the definition of a sewing machine?
Let’s look at the fundamental description of a sewing machine: “a machine with a needle that is sewn or stitched into cloth by means of a mechanically powered mechanism.” The terminology, although accurate, appears to be somewhat restrictive and simplistic, as is evident to any of us who have ever worked with a sewing machine for any length of time.
What exactly is the function of a sewing machine?
Thread is fed through a sewing machine to stitch together numerous layers of cloth at once. You can perform this task in a straightforward, manual manner or invest in one of those high-tech, computerized sewing machines that come with all the bells and whistles. But is the difference between a Serger Vs Sewing Machine.
Home sewing machines of the modern-day are more like sophisticated computers, capable of doing virtually anything. For instance, my sewing machine is equipped with a WI-FI connection; it can digitize embroidered patterns right in front of my eyes, I can watch video instructions on its enormous screen, I can scan my fabric and see it on the screen, and it also enables me to construct incredible creations.
Because a sewing machine can do so many things, it would be impossible to list them all here; nonetheless, I have devoted a whole section to describing how to use a sewing machine. I highly recommend reading it in addition to the other blogs on this topic since it will help you learn how to sew.
Serger Vs Sewing Machine
The fact that a Serger Vs sewing machine are two entirely different machines is the single most essential distinction between the two. People tend to group them together, yet despite being comparable, they cannot be replaced with one another.
To begin, the construction of these devices is diverse from one another. Even aesthetically, a sewing machine and a Serger appear to be distinct from one another at first glance. Whereas a sewing machine would often only have one visible thread source on the spool pin, a Serger typically has anywhere from four to eight of these sources. To create sturdy seams that flex and completely envelop the raw edges of the cloth, many threads are required.
In addition, sewing machines have bobbins, whereas Sergers have loopers in their devices. When discussing Sergers, the phrase “loopers” comes up rather frequently in conversation. You will be unable to stitch if you are unfamiliar with the concept of loopers and do not know where they are located on your Serger.
When creating a serged stitch, you place the thread with the help of shaped metal rods or fingers called loopers. Each end of the looper has what is known as eyes, which are tiny holes that may be used to enter threads. When using a Serger, the upper looper travels over the top of the cloth to create a stitch. This is one of the differences between Serger Vs Sewing machine.
This leaves a thread loop, which is then captured by the needle thread along the seamline. At the same time, the bottom looper will move underneath the fabric to grab the needle thread. At the hem of the cloth, the looper threads come together to form an interlocking pattern.
Because a sewing machine can do so many things, it would be impossible to list them all here; nonetheless, I have devoted a whole section to describing how to use a sewing machine. I highly recommend reading it in addition to the other blogs on this topic since it will help you learn what is a serger?
Speciality of Serger
Sergers are equipped with blades that can cut through the cloth. The upper knife may be disengaged, while the bottom knife remains in place during the process. Before the needles form the stitches, the seam allowances are trimmed away using the knives. This is
Sergers make use of specialized threads that are designed to accommodate several thread stands and high-speed stitching. The regular all-purpose line used in sewing machines is much thicker than the Serger thread, which is spun into a cone in a much smaller amount.
When it comes to threading a Serger, things are done very differently. It’s not uncommon to thread four threads simultaneously, using two loopers and two needles. And this may make one feel anxious.
Once again, when it comes to the actual usage of Serger Vs sewing machine, we have some parallels and differences, which we will look at in more detail below.
A sewing machine can only do one function at a time, but a Serger can perform numerous operations in a single step. Keep in mind that your fabric allowance can be trimmed using the Serger while concurrently sewing and overcasting the edges of the cloth. A Serger can properly finish cloth edges like a sewing machine cannot.
The majority of Sergers are equipped with two separate sets of feed dogs located underneath the neck plate. Because of this, Sergers feed fabric equally, so there is no risk of one layer sliding while you are working with it (as it often happens with a sewing machine) to facilitate the sewing of striped cloth.
One of the features of Sergers is referred to as “differential feed.” It is not at all like a traditional sewing machine in any way. Because the fabric can be fed through the machine at varying rates thanks to the machine’s two sets of feed dogs, even highly flexible cloth can be sewn without being stretched.
You may simplify the collection process by consolidating it into one straightforward action using the differential feed. In addition, specialized presser feet make it possible to serge a gather to a flat piece of cloth in a single step.
Given this information, it should evident what is a Serger? The answer is that it is an excellent piece of machinery. Nope! Please keep in mind that these are, in fact, two entirely separate devices. On the other hand, a sewing machine has several capabilities that a Serger does not have. A few instances of this include producing buttonholes, topstitching, ornamental stitching, and sewing zippers.
What exactly is the difference between Serger and overlocker?
A Serger is a sewing machine that can concurrently stitch over the raw edge of a seam allowance while closing a seam. This completely encases the seam. The majority of Sergers also includes a function that cuts away any excess seam allowance while the user sews. These machines produce seams that are clean, flawlessly completed, and finished with the accuracy of a factory.
Overlock machines are another name for Sergers, which you could also hear. An overlock stitch is a name given to the stitch that these machines use to sew over the edge. The majority of American businesses refer to these machines as Sergers. Overlockers or overlock machines are the names given to these tools by European firms.
One of the most distinguishing features of Sergers is the fact that they can accommodate many spools of thread at once. Your machine may utilise anywhere from two to five cones of thread as it sews, but the exact number is dependent on the type.
In most cases, Sergers make use of the extremely big cones of thread in the shape of a triangle that can be found in most sewing supply stores. In order to construct an overlock stitch, a significant amount of thread is required.
The vast majority of Sergers utilize polyester thread. This thread has some elasticity to it and is robust enough to withstand the high-speed, precision stitching that these machines demand.
When Is It Appropriate to Use a Serger Instead of a Sewing Machine?
Using an overlock stitch, a Serger offers a clean solution to the problem of frayed cloth edges. A simple definition of an overlock is when the thread is wrapped around the edge of the cloth. We hope this explains what is a Sarger and overlock. Specific sewing machines come equipped with an overlocking foot that may be used to achieve a similar effect; however, the finished product is likely to be more cumbersome and unprofessional-looking than the original. If you follow this link, you’ll get a lesson on how to use a variety of overlocking presser feet on a home sewing machine, allowing you to finish raw cloth without needing a Serger.
We hope this article explained the difference between Serger Vs Sewing machine and also what is a serger and what is a sewing machine?
F.A.Qs
- Is it possible to sew using a Serger?
A Serger can be used for some sewing jobs. Top stitches and zippers aren’t supported. Therefore it’s not a complete replacement for a sewing machine.
Before purchasing a Serger, you should buy a sewing machine.
- Instead of stitching, why not use a Serger?
Using a Serger, you may snip the fabric’s edges while the threads secure and preserve the cloth from fraying, making it easier to sew.
- Is there a Serger-equipped sewing machine?
The answer is yes; specific sewing machines can stitch simultaneously as Sergers. You should anticipate paying more for these machines because they have more functionality than a Serger or sewing machine.
- Is a Serger capable of stitching a straight line?
Using a Serger, you can’t produce a straight stitch. You’ll need a sewing machine since straight stitches are required for most sewing jobs, and a sewing machine has consecutive stitches. For connecting seams and keeping fabric edges from fraying, Sergers are the tool of choice.