Serger vs sewing machine
What’s the difference between sergers and sewing machines? This is a question that many people are wondering. In this article, we will try to answer this question for you! We will be focusing on serger vs sewing machine differences in terms of features, price point, and other considerations.
What is a Serger machine?
A serger machine is a sewing device used to finish the edges of the fabric. It works as an overlocker and finishes seams by serging, or creating multiple layers of thread that are interlocked with each other for extra strength.
This type of stitching can also be referred to as “overlocking”; hence its name – serger.
What is a Sewing Machine?
On the contrary, a sewing machine has only one stitch which creates two parallel threads at once when it sews stitches onto your fabric layer.
The main purpose of this gadget is to create clothes and household items from raw cloths using different types of stitches like zig-zag, blanket, etc., especially on stretchy fabrics such as knits where sergers serge cannot be used.
Serger vs sewing machine: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between a sewing machine and a serger is that sergers serge and sewing machines sew. Sergers serge fabric edges to finish them, while sewing machine stitches the raw fabric into clothes using different types of stitches like blankets etc., especially on stretchy fabrics such as knits where serger serging cannot be used.
Design
While sergers are very large and bulky, so they occupy a lot of space. Sergers also require different thread types to be used based on the fabric type you want to work with; for example – serging denim requires thick cotton threads while serging silk requires thin almost invisible silver-colored metal wire thread.
A sewing machine, on the other hand, can be stored in a much smaller area. It usually comes with its own built-in compartment for storage of all accessories and serger serging threads needed to produce different types of stitches.
Weight
Sergers are heavy due to their metal components making them difficult to transport from one place to another; therefore they are mostly used in professional serger serging sewing workshops. Sewing machines, on the other hand, are lightweight and can be moved with ease from one place to another – perfect for home use!
Price
Sergers cost at least $300 or more depending on what features you want your serger serging machine to have; whereas a regular sewing machine can be bought for less than $100!
Number of threads
A serger serging machine can serge more than one thread onto your fabric, which is why it’s perfect for serging multiple layers of bulky fabrics together. A sewing machine, on the other hand, sews with only two parallel threads at a time making it ideal to be used with thin and lightweight fabrics only.
Amount of needles
A serger serging machine has up to three sergers serge needles, whereas a sewing machine only has two.
Number of stitches
A serging machine can serge the same type of stitches as a sewing machine, but it also has additional built-in serger serge stitches including overlock and cover stitch which are not available in regular sewing machines.
Differential feed
Sergers have differential feeds that help to produce stretchy fabrics such as knits. On the other hand, sewing machines don’t have differential feeds
Amount of Bobbins
Sergers serge bobbins have a large amount of bobbin thread that is used to serge fabric edges, whereas sewing machines use small amounts of bobbin thread for regular stitches.
Stitches per Min
A serger serging machine can serge up to 1300-2200 stitches a minute, whereas a regular sewing machine performs around 1000-1500 stitches per minute.
Speed Controlling
Sergers’ serge machines use speed-controlling dials to serge fabric edges at different speeds. On the other hand, a sewing machine only has a foot pedal that controls your stitch speed and can’t serge as serger serging machines do!
Pros of a Serger over a Sewing Machine
Faster serging time
A serger serge machine serges fabric edges much faster than a sewing machine does, which is why it’s perfect for bulk serging of fabrics and garments. You can even serge two or three layers of bulky fabrics together in less than half the time!
Stronger stitches
Sergers come with built-in serged stitches that are stronger and more durable compared to those created by a regular sewing machine; therefore they are mostly used when you have multiple layers of thick cotton twill or denim clothes to be sewn/serged together into one single piece since the job would take hours using an average sewing machine
but only minutes on your serger serging machine! Also, if you want really serged serge stitches, sergers serging machines offer better results than sewing machines.
Versatile
Serger serging machine is much more versatile and given that it has multiple built-in sergers serges you can use your machine to produce many types of garments
You won’t have to buy a separate overlock stitch or stretch stitch for example since all these features come already included in your serger serging machine; whereas regular sewing machines only feature one or two basic sews which are not enough if you want to create different kinds of clothes.
Also, the high number of needles allows this type of appliance gives a clean finish on raw edges when used with rolled hems. This would be using an average sewing machine serging time-consuming and difficult to serge.
Professional Look
If you want professional serged serge clothes, a serger serging machine is your best option! The high number of needles allows the creation of much more uniform and even stitches as compared to sewing machines.
Also with its differential feed mechanism sergers allow all kinds of fabrics to be sewn/serged together without any problem or fabric distortion.
Cons of a Serger over a Sewing Machine
Expensive
A serger serging machine is more expensive than regular sewing machines.
Heavy
A serger serging machine is heavy due to its metal components making it difficult to transport from one place to another; therefore they are mostly used in professional serger serging workshops. In contrast, sewing machines are lightweight and can be moved with ease from one place to another – perfect for home use! –
You need more training before being able to perform complex tasks on both types of fabric embellishment tools as you have less control using them.
Delicate Fabrics
Serging stitching is not suitable for delicate fabrics like silk or chiffon; it’s better to use a regular sewing machine on these types of clothes and garments.
Conclusion
Both serger serging machines and sewing are great tools when it comes to finishing raw edges but they both have different functions that cannot be replaced by each other
Therefore the best option would be to use them together! It would also depend on what tasks you need your serger serging machine for as there are many tasks where sewing machines work much better than sergers serge such as making hems, seams, etc.