Pros and Cons of A Serger
What are the pros and cons of a serger? While doing your serger research before choosing the right machine for your needs and skill level, you’ll see glowing reports on nearly every model from experienced users. While every machine has its benefits and drawbacks, there are some universal pros and cons that you should also consider.
Home sewists considering expanding their skills into serging often have many questions about these specialty machines. The Internet is brimming with blogs, videos, and informative articles on how to create gorgeous, professionally-finished garments, home décor items, and other projects. Owning a serger can up your sewing game to a whole new level. It not only allows you to put a professional finish on everything from T-shirts to swimwear, it’s the perfect vehicle for experimenting and expanding your creativity and sewing skills. Here are several pros and cons to consider before your purchase.
Serger Pros
Long-time serger owners – from professional seamstresses and tailors to home hobbyists – are unanimous in their praise for these machines. Here are a few reasons for their love of sergers.
Multi-Functional
A feature unique to sergers is their ability to trim seam allowances as you sew. All models include a set of upper and lower cutting blades that jump into operation as soon as you put pressure on the pedal. If you plan to work on a project that doesn’t require fabric trimming, most models also give you the option of retracting the cutting blades so they’re inoperative.
Professional Results
While no one but you usually notices the inside of your hand-made garments, having the ability to put a clean, professional finish on seams, hems, and sleeves is always a plus. Who wouldn’t want to produce clothing that looks like it was purchased in a high-end store? Creating professional-grade items may even lead to a successful home business.
Secure, Durable Stitches
Everyone who sews knows the frustration of having a seam separate due to fabric fraying or broken stitches. A serger produces strong, durable stitches using multiple threads that prevent fraying and last for years. Whether using two threads or as many as eight, a serger encases the fabric securely while still allowing enough give to prevent tearing or broken stitches while surviving countless launderings.
Great for Stretchy Fabrics
There’s nothing as unattractive and amateurish as puckered seams on a knit dress or shirt. The give in a a serger’s overlock stitch is primarily designed to produce smooth, yet secure stitches on all types and weights of knit and other stretchy fabrics. From yoga pants to swimsuits, a serger is the best machine to use on knits, especially when attaching elastic.
High Speeds
Depending on the model, a serger can operate at nearly triple the speed of an average home sewing machine. While successfully handling certain types of fabric running through a machine at up to 1,700 stitches per minute may take some practice, in no time you’ll be able to create a classic knit skirt in as little as 20 minutes instead of hours. Don’t let the intimidation factor influence your decision.
Serger Cons
As with sewing machines, sergers have their challenges and low points. Aside from those that include a coverstitch option, sergers are not designed to be stand-alone machines. They were created to work in tandem with home sewing machines.
Thread Usage
Most sergers use up to four different threads, depending on the stitch you’re using. However, some high end and industrial models can use up to eight. Because of the amount of thread used, an average spool of sewing thread would run out in seconds. These machines require purchasing large cones of thread holding up to 4,000 yards of thread. Most threads are available in a wide range of colors, specialty, and decorative types.
Threading Frustrations
One thing that many serger owners agree on is the non-fun of threading a non-automatic machine. Threading the upper and lower loopers on many entry-level models is time-consuming and frustrating for new users. While sergers typically includes color-coded threading charts, instruction manuals and often step-by-step DVDs, most machines are not easy to learn to thread. Many high-end models feature an auto-threading feature.
Noisy
Sergers are naturally noisier than an average sewing machine due to the high speeds at which they operate. Some, however, are far noisier than others. Cheap or plastic construction, the weight of the machine and internal components can all contribute to the noise and vibration levels. Weight and solid metal construction help offset both problems, but a specially designed serger pad can also reduce both annoyances.
Cost
Just as the cost of sewing machines can vary according to the type and number of features and functions each model offers, the same goes for sergers. While an entry-level model including several basic stitch options and features can be as inexpensive as $200 or so, high end models can cost up to $2,000. It’s vital to research machines, try out the ones you like in a shop, and consider your equipment needs, skill level and your future plans for the serger. They can be a serious investment.
Like your sewing machine, investing in a serger is a serious creative decision. And like your sewing machine, learning the ins and outs of the machine you choose takes time, patience, and practice. The gold lining is the beautiful projects you’ll soon be able to produce.