Best Advanced Feature Sergers
Why should you have one of the best advanced feature sergers? Having a serger in your arsenal of sewing equipment is very useful (if not a necessity) if you are making garments or items that require professional-looking edges. For the novice sewist, a basic serger/overlocker without advanced features is recommended when first starting out, allowing you to focus solely on learning the techniques in general. As people gain experience on a serger they often want to expand their creativity and flexibility, upgrading to a machine that has advanced features.
When looking to compile a list of the best advanced feature sergers we looked for features that aren’t necessary but desirable for their ease of use or convenience. The following sergers are considered high-end models and offer the user functions not available on lower-end models. Some of the features include multiple built-in stitches, automatic tension adjustment, air-threading, extra workspace, and higher-lifting presser feet. They’re listed in no particular order.
Brother Designio Series DZ1234 Serger
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 1,300 stitches per minute and the machine sews with regular sewing needles instead of specialty needles. Unlike other sergers that simply 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. On the fly adjustments are quick and easy, 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.
SINGER Professional 5 14T968DC
Rated very high by users, the Singer Pro 5 is a 2-3-4-5 serger/coverstitch machine that includes a wide and varied range of stitch options. It has 12 built-in stitch options giving you more variety than your basic serger. Along with 2-3-4- and 5-thread overlock stitches, this versatile machine also has 4 rolled-hem stitches and 3 types of cover stitches. It’s also capable of producing 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. The stitch width and length are easily adjustable, as is the cutting width. An automatic tension control gives you smooth, consistently balanced stitches without the headache of fiddling with tension dials to make serging and coverstitching easier.
A heavy-duty metal frame ensures quiet, smooth operation even at its maximum speed of 1300 stitches per minute. Color-coded threading ensures set up and threading are as hassle-free as possible with a manual machine.
The downsides to the SINGER Professional 5 14T968DC machine include the need to thread it manually, and Singer uses plastic components versus metal in several areas of the machine, decreasing their longevity. With a 90-day warranty on parts and labor, the cost is on you if something breaks.
Baby Lock Ovation
Baby Lock is known for its high-quality machines, and the Ovation lives up to its name. Marketed as a high-end, 8-thread serger the Ovation wasn’t strongly touted for its coverstitch capabilities, but nevertheless it offers you 1-, 2- and 3-needle narrow and wide options. The stitch quality is superb. Stitches are smooth, uniform, and secure, even when using all 8 threads and cruising at its top speed of 1,500 stitches per minute.
The automatic ExtraordinAir threading system also performs its job beautifully and efficiently. The automatic thread delivery system maintains tension settings when in serger mode, but those settings require manual adjusting when coverstitching. The work area includes an impressive 5 inches of space between the housing and the right-hand needle and 6 bright LED lights that work well to light that space. This is a serious machine for serious, experienced users who are ready to make a serious investment.
The only downsides to this serger/coverstitch machine are the lack of an instructional DVD with the purchase and the tendency to vibrate when running at top speed.
Juki MCS-1500
JUKI is making a name for itself with its fantastic, semi-industrial sewing machines and sergers, and they outdid themselves when they created this blazing fast, professional-grade serger that produces 1,350 stitches per minute. The MCS-1500 is a specialized chain stitch and cover stitch machine featuring three needles that give it the capability of producing professional, long-lasting seams and unparalleled edgework. It easily handles basic fabrics like knits, wovens, and other texturally varied fabrics without skipping a beat.
An exclusive feature of this machine is the presser foot is designed to be higher at the tip than the back, making it easier to slide your fabrics underneath. It can also be raised to 8 – 10 millimeters to give you plenty of room when working with thick denim, layers of costume materials, or upholstery fabrics. A breakaway threading looper is easy to thread and is lowered with a touch of a button. Any sewist will adore easier threading of that tricky bottom looper!
Weighing in at about 20 pounds, the MCS-1500 is a little heftier than some of the other portable machines, making it harder to move around but the extra weight is worth it for the beautiful stitch quality.
PFAFF Coverlock 4.0
If you’re in the market for a top of the line serger that has a plethora of advanced features, the Coverlock 4.0 is a top contender, without a doubt. An all in one/combo machine, it offers 5, 4, 3, 2 thread sewing giving you access to a huge repertoire of 25 stitches to choose from. Select from one of the many stitches on the easy to use LCD screen and all of the important settings like stitch length, thread tension, and differential feed are automatically set by the machine and displayed on the screen. No more referring back to the manual or looking through your sewing notes to figure out the settings you should be using. When it’s time to move to a new project, easily switch between overlock and coverstitch without changing the needle plate or the presser foot.
A powerful motor sews along at 1,100 stitches per minute, with 5 sewing speeds to choose from, allowing you to adjust the speed to perfect different techniques. When you’re done, simply lift the extra high presser foot and the tension releases so you can easily pull the threads – and your project – from the machine!
The one big drawback to the PFAFF Coverlock 4.0 is it lacks air-threading, so you must manually thread the machine. Lay-in tension slots and color-coded thread paths make the job (relatively) easier.
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.