Best Heavy Duty Sergers

Depending on your workload, or the types of projects you are completing, sometimes a basic run of the mill serger isn’t equipped to handle what you need to put it through. When that’s the case, it’s time to upgrade to a heavy duty serger with a more powerful motor, faster sewing speeds, and automated functions. 

Choosing the best heavy duty serger for your needs isn’t easy, but this list showcases the top models on the market, ranging in price and functions. In no particular order, this list encompasses both portable sergers and table-mounted industrial machines.

JUKI MO-6714S

The Juki MO-6714S is a serious machine, designed to tackle a heavy-duty workload. While limited in stitch options compared to portable sergers, this 2-needle, 4-thread model boasts a power-efficient, high-quality, quiet Servo motor (110V with industrial clutch) that can zip through projects at an incredible speed of 7,000 stitches per minute. This semi-automatic model guarantees flexible stitches, increased productivity, and unsurpassed quality for finishing hems. When purchased, it comes as a complete unit with the following components installed and ready to sew: machine head, table, stand, motor, sewing light, and drawer.

The Servo motor gives the user the ability to change and set the stitch speed; after setting, the motor stitches at the speed chosen regardless of how much the foot pedal is depressed. A flick of a conveniently located switch puts the motor into reverse or back into forward. This powerful overlocker has an SC-510 stitch control box that ensures tight, even stitches on any project. Stitch length is adjustable between 0.8 mm and 4 mm, and the stitch width can be adjusted between 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm, and 4.8 mm. A chain-off mode produces an even, soft-chain of any length, and a unique dual thread tension control system lets the user make quick and easy adjustments, regardless of what stitching mode they are using.

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Brother DZ1234

The Brother Designio Series DZ1234 serger offers a mix of advanced and basic features, making it an excellent serger at an affordable price. This machine offers 22 different built-in stitch options, including 4-thread overlock, 3-thread overlock, ribbon lock, narrow hem, and rolled hem. Sewing is quick at speeds of up to 1300 stitches per minute, and the machine sews with regular sewing needles instead of specialty needles. Unlike other sergers that have a numbered dial to adjust the stitch width (3mm – 7mm) and differential feed ratio (0.7 to 2.0), the DZ1234 was designed with convenient dials/levers on the side of the machine making it easier to see what the setting is, reducing mistakes. Adjustments are quick and easy to make, even with a handful of fabric.

While it doesn’t offer automatic threading capabilities, threading this compact serger is surprisingly straightforward and relatively easy, even for beginners. In addition to color-coded directions on the machine, the accompanying DVD and user manual are comprehensive and easy to follow. After threading it a couple of times, most people feel comfortable with the process. Additionally, it comes with three interchangeable feet allowing the user to quickly switch out the foot for gathering, blind hem stitches, or piping. When not in use, store them in the accessory compartment on the flip-down door found on the front panel.

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Singer Professional 5 14T968DC 

The Professional 5 14T968DC Singer is a top-of-the-line heavy duty serger with enough versatility to be used as a professional machine, but with a price tag much lower than industrial models. It provides the sewist with a 5-4-3-2 stitch configuration and a variety of corresponding stitch styles. Seven included presser feet, adjustable differential feed, and a self-adjusting tension control make operation easy, comfortable, and customizable to the project.

In addition to producing 2-3-4 and 5-thread overlock stitches, the 14T968DC sews four rolled-hem stitches, three types of cover stitches, and the ability to adjust the length and width on all of them easily. It can also produce a unique double chain stitch, a 2-thread overedge stitch, a 3-thread flatlock stitch, 4- and 5-thread safety stitches, and a triple cover hemstitch. While the odd locations of the loopers and upper needles can make threading difficult at first, it consistently produces smooth, perfectly even stitches on a variety of fabric types and thicknesses. The accompanying workbook includes comprehensive, illustrated threading instructions as well as helpful stitch techniques and tips.

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Yamata FY747A

Compared to the other heavy duty sergers listed here, Yamata is undoubtedly a lesser-known player in the sewing machine market. The FY747A stands its ground amongst these other machines, though, with high-quality, industrial level capabilities at a budget price. This serger boasts all of the basic range of functions, and the Servo motor cranks out stitches at 7,500 stitches per minute to hold its own against the Juki models. 

A low sewing tension allows for even, neat stitching at high speeds on light to medium-weight fabrics. The FY747A also comes equipped with a lubricating device that operates proficiently, even at low tensions, to extend the machine’s life. 

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Juki MO-6716

The Juki MO-6716S is a serious 2-needle, 5-thread, industrial-grade overlock machine. While the MO-6716S weighs in about three times the weight of a portable home serger, it is one of the quietest heavy duty sergers on the market, and the 3450 rpm clutch motor produces up to 7,000 stitches per minute. This dependable workhorse is typically sold as a package, including a heavy metal table and Servo motor. It doesn’t have extra frills, but its reliability and stitch quality makes up for its simplicity. 

The 3-, 4- and 5-thread overlock stitch lengths can be adjusted between 0.8 mm and 4 mm, while stitch widths are adjustable from 1.6 mm to 6.4 mm. The differential ratio for gathering fabrics can be adjusted between 1:2 and 1:4, and for stretching, the adjustable ratio varies between 1:0.7 to 1:0.6. In addition, the interchangeable presser foot can be lifted to a height of 7 mm, making it easier to work with thick fabrics or multiple layers. Manual threading is complicated but aided by a needle-thread take-up mechanism and a looper thread take-up mechanism.

Read Our Ultimate Guide On How To Find The Best Serger

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About Amanda S.: Growing up, I was fascinated by watching my mom and grandma turn fabric into beautiful handcrafted items. In my early 20’s, I finally got brave, buying a sewing machine and teaching myself to sew. As I fell in love with sewing, my machine collection expanded, and I ran an Etsy shop sewing children’s clothing for a few years. As a single mom of 3 great kids, my sewing time has lessened, but I still try to find time to work on quilts, bags, and projects with my kids, teaching them what I love.