What is a Serger and do I need one?
#21
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
About 20 years ago I had a friend who spent a lot of time convincing me that I needed a serger. I finally broke down and bought one for around $500. Watched the video that came with it, threaded it, used it for about 10 minutes, put it back in its case, put it under a bench and there it lived- traveled through 3 moves, finally about 10 years ago I was tired of it taking up space and I sold it- for way less than I paid for it- personally I see no reason to own one unless you do a lot of garment sewing with knits- I don’t so it was a waste for me.
#22
Super Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Sunny Florida
Posts: 4,431
Here is my reply that didn't get posted earlier.
I love my serger. Our LQS had scheduled classes with projects each month. We have made tote bags, machine mats, rugs, shirts, quilts,and more. There is so much that you can make with one.
https://babylock.com/learn-and-create/projects?category[]=4&sort=seasonal:desc
I love my serger. Our LQS had scheduled classes with projects each month. We have made tote bags, machine mats, rugs, shirts, quilts,and more. There is so much that you can make with one.
https://babylock.com/learn-and-create/projects?category[]=4&sort=seasonal:desc
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,738
If you only make quilts, I see no reason to have one. I have one that I've had for years. I make garments and use it extensively for that. I also so some home dec stuff and it comes in very handy then to make sure things don't ravel, but for quilts, I don't really see much use.
#24
Funny you should ask. I just got mine out after not having used it in many years. I loved using it to make flannel pajama pants for my kids when they were teens, and for lots of clothing when they were younger. We have a new granddaughter and I'm going to make her a knit romper before we visit this weekend. I can see my serger getting a lot of use in the coming years.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Cedar Falls, IA
Posts: 923
a serger sews at a much faster speed than a regular sewing machine. A domestic serger can sew pretty much as fast as an industrial straight stitch, 1000 SPM or more. For the Olson mask, you just serge the edges, no folding under and top stitching. For a pleated mask, you can serge the pleated side faster than sewing because sergers handle wider variations in fabric height than sewing machines. They don’t do casings well, and it is easier to apply a binding with a sewing machine though so not all steps can be done on a serger.
#26
a serger sews at a much faster speed than a regular sewing machine. A domestic serger can sew pretty much as fast as an industrial straight stitch, 1000 SPM or more. For the Olson mask, you just serge the edges, no folding under and top stitching. For a pleated mask, you can serge the pleated side faster than sewing because sergers handle wider variations in fabric height than sewing machines. They don’t do casings well, and it is easier to apply a binding with a sewing machine though so not all steps can be done on a serger.
#28
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,563
a serger sews at a much faster speed than a regular sewing machine. A domestic serger can sew pretty much as fast as an industrial straight stitch, 1000 SPM or more. For the Olson mask, you just serge the edges, no folding under and top stitching. For a pleated mask, you can serge the pleated side faster than sewing because sergers handle wider variations in fabric height than sewing machines. They don’t do casings well, and it is easier to apply a binding with a sewing machine though so not all steps can be done on a serger.
#29
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 34
I love my serger and it gets a real work out sometimes. I tired it on a quilt years ago and said nope! not again on a quilt. What it does do great on is receiving blankets and garments. I find there are times, like this time a year ago, where I coordinated and worked with several others to make close to 200 tunics for a Renaissance Festival. The serger was a blessing. The time and finish it provides is great. I for one will always have one. Seems I am always making receiving blankets too.
Do you use a regular cotton thread for the stitching?
#30
I would not do without a serger, but then I sew anything and everything, not just quilts. I use mine on fleece and knits. You don't need it to keep these fabrics from raveling or fraying, but to help feed the fabrics evenly and help flatten all the buck in the seam allowance. I also use on cottons and blends when garment making or crafts. This does keep the seam allowance from raveling and also make a nice finish. I have also serged the outer edge of my quilt after quilting to sew binding on better. It helps flatten the edge and hold all the 3 outer edge layers together. However, if quilting is all you do maybe you could do without a serger. Once I've had one, I cannot.