Closing the seam gaps in various clothing items can be difficult to do, such as when you only use a regular sewing machine. To achieve a better result in closing up the edges of the fabrics, you need a more capable machine called a serger.
A serger is a type of sewing machine designed to apply various overlocking stitches that will help close the seam gaps even better, with firmer and more durable results. This guide will help you learn about what a serger can do that a regular sewing machine can’t.
A serger is a type of sewing machine designed to perform a certain sewing operation called serging. Serging means locking the seams of the fabric by stitching it with the overlocking operation, which results in a better seam closure for your fabric. With serging, you can lock the seams of the fabric in such a way that makes it more durable compared to regular one or two-line sewing.
A serger will help you close the edges of any fabric in the best way and lock it so that it stays close even when you stretch it. Serging is useful for any type of fashion items, such as jackets, clothes, shirts, and even blankets. A serger can perform various types of serging operations, and it can use multiple threads in each serging operation, depending on your needs.
Things a Serger Can Do that a Sewing Machine Can’t Do
A serger is a specialized sewing machine designed to perform the serging operation. Of course, it has the things that a regular sewing machine can’t do. But before we delve into that, you need to know that many regular sewing machines nowadays will support a serging operation if you have the right accessories for it. Here are the things a serger can do that a sewing machine can’t do:
Faster stitches per minute. A serger can help you perform stitches much faster than the regular sewing machine. You can use a serger to get the serging job done faster when compared to using the regular sewing machine. After all, it’s a dedicated machine you can use for this type of sewing operation.
More complex serging operations. It might be possible for you to perform the serging operation using the regular sewing machine, but you will have limitations in what you can do. A dedicated serging machine can perform more complex serging operations, as it offers more features related to serging when compared to the regular sewing machine.
5-Thread Usage. A dedicated serging machine can also perform the serging operations using multiple thread sources. You can even use 5 threads at the same time with a dedicated serging machine, and you can’t do it with the regular sewing machine. Also, it’s useful to close the seams of fabrics with harder textures.
Cutting and sewing the fabrics. A serger will also have the features of cutting the fabrics and trim the seam allowance. So, it’s not just about stitching. You can use the dedicated serging machine to perform various cutting operations as well, which can ensure the neatness of your fashion item.
Dedicated overlocking stitches. A serger can only perform the overlocking stitch operations, so be sure to pay attention to this. You cannot perform the regular sewing operation with a serger. You can only use it to work on closing the edge of your fabrics.
Advantages of Serging Your Fabrics Compared to Sewing It
There are various benefits you will get when you serge your fabrics as opposed to just applying normal stitches on it. Serging your fabrics will give the fabric edges firmer grips and more durability, so it will strengthen the seam enclosure of the fabrics. Aside from that, you can also apply multiple threads in your serging operations, meaning that you can add more firmness and strength to the fabric edges, depending on the type of fabric you are working on. Here are the other advantages of serging your fabrics compared to sewing it:
It gives a professional look at the stitches. One important advantage of serging is that you will make the end product look more professional or even premium, depending on the threads you use. The professional look on the stitches will improve the overall look and feel of the fashion item or product you are working on.
The threads will look neater on the fabric edges. Serging will also apply the stitches that will look neat on the fabric edges. It’s just way better when you compare it to the regular sewing stitches. You can even make the fabric edges look better when you have variations in the thread colors you use for serging.
You can trim the seam allowance to make it look better. The serger comes with a blade that will allow you to cut and trim the seam allowance to make it look even better. So, with the serging machine, you can improve the overall look of the fashion item, even when you create double-layered blankets or similar items.
Overlocking stitches are way more durable than regular sewing. The stitches applied by the serging machine will be more durable than the regular sewing stitches. The reason for this is that the serging machine uses the overlock stitch mechanism that allows you to lock the edges of the fabric in such a way that it will be difficult to rip apart.
You can perform the serging operation in over 1700 stitches per minute. Serging machines can work with the speed of over 1700 stitches per minute, allowing you to complete your project faster. No matter the type of fabric you are working on, you can close the edges faster when you use a serging machine compared to the regular sewing machine.
Should You Use a Serger More in Your Sewing Activities?
For optimal results, the answer will be yes, you need to use a serger more in your sewing activities. The best way to balance between sewing and serging is to own both machines. You need to have a regular sewing machine and a serger, so you can work on these two different sewing operations whenever you need them.
Of course, you can turn your regular sewing machine into a serger by adding a new attachment or changing the presser foot for it, but it will always be better to have a dedicated serging machine ready for you to work with. It offers more features than the regular sewing machines, and it can also allow you to perform more complicated serging operations when you need it. The dedicated serging machine is also faster, so you don’t need to deal with the slower switching speed of a regular sewing machine.
FAQ
What can a Serger do that a sewing machine can’t? As explained in this guide, a serger can do overlocking operations that most regular sewing machines can’t do, at least without adding an attachment or changing the presser foot. Also, a serger is way faster than the regular sewing machine, as it can stitch for over 1700 stitches per minute. You can use a serger to close the edges of your fabric, and it will make the seam enclosure firmer, neater, and more durable when compared to regular sewing.
Can you use a Serger for regular sewing? No, you can’t use a serger for regular sewing because you can use a serger only for serging and seam trimming operations. It doesn’t have the regular stitching mechanism as you can find on the regular sewing machines. So, it’s better for you to stick with the regular sewing machine for the regular sewing operations and switch to a serger if you need to close the seam gaps for your fabrics.
What are the advantages of a Serger sewing machine? A serger sewing machine offers various advantages when compared to the regular sewing machine. For instance, it has a faster switching speed, it can perform various serging operations, and it can also use multiple thread sources. You can also cut and trim the seam allowance using a serger. It’s more efficient to use a serger for serging operations than to use a regular sewing machine.
What’s the difference between a regular sewing machine and a Serger? A regular sewing machine is excellent for most sewing projects you are doing, while a serger is best only for performing the serging operations, which means closing the seam gaps of your fabrics with the overlocking mechanism. A serger is a specific type of sewing machine designed to perform various types of serging operations, and it supports various features related to serging. Compared to the regular sewing machine, a serger can allow you to do much more when you need to perform serging operations on the fabrics you are working on.
You’ve learned about the difference between a serger and a regular sewing machine, along with what a serger can do that a sewing machine can’t. A serger is a dedicated sewing machine used for completing serging operations, closing up the seam gaps of your fabrics with overlocking stitches.
It’s an excellent piece of equipment that you should have along with a regular sewing machine so that you can complete your sewing projects in a much better way and for a much better result.
