The all-time serger sewing machines

Updated

2020-02-19T21:41:00Z

Singer Professional 5 14T968DC Serger

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  • Here are the best serger sewing machines:
  • The best overall
  • The best on a upkeep
  • The best portable serger
  • The best for beginners
  • The best for advanced users
  • Check out our other sewing gear guides

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Since learning to use a sewing machine in middle school, I've enjoyed creating bootleg costumes and wearing apparel — even my hymeneals dress. Items I make have acceptable seams with raw edges that I trim and press. But what they lack are finished seams, like those in well-made, store-bought garments. Although my sewing machine has an overlock stitch part, what I really need is a serger (also known as an overlock machine) — a tool that doesn't supercede but complements a regular home sewing auto.

With a serger, yous can give bootleg sewing projects a nifty and sturdy terminate, quickly and easily. How? Sergers secure and finish seams by stitching fabric pieces together, trimming the seam allowance, and enclosing the raw edges — all in i footstep. The resulting seam is not only professional-looking, but as well strong, durable, and stretchy.

Because sergers produce stretchable seams, they are dandy for working with woven or knit material without compromising elasticity. Using a serger to sew clothes fabricated of thin stretchy fabrics, similar spandex or Lycra (e.g., swimsuits, dancewear, workout gear), allows for attractive topstitching that looks good, reinforces the seam, still still lets the fabric aggrandize and motion. You too can stitch elastic straight onto stretchy cloth to make waistbands and the like.

Versatility is another advantage of sergers, which can handle delicate fabrics similar silk, satin, chiffon, and organza, also every bit heavy materials such as denim, upholstery fabrics, and more. The apartment, raw-edge-seam-allowance-encased seams produced by sergers eliminate thick, unattractive lines as well as bulk produced by seam lines in projects made with sheer and heavy fabrics.

You can apply a serger to finish edges on pieces similar silk scarves or anything that needs dandy and fragile still strong edges. Different model sergers can make ruffles, rolled hems, concatenation stitches, cover stitches, and other decorative stitches.

When choosing a serger, the nearly important deciding cistron for most users is the number of threads the serger can handle, which determines its versatility in sew together options. For example, the popular "3-4 model" executes durable 4-thread overlock stitches for vesture as well as less-durable (but still decent) three-thread overlock stitches. Some models produce three- or ii-thread flatlock stitches for thin knits and delicates as well as a two-thread rolled hem for finishing raw edges.

More than advanced sergers may utilise five or up to eight threads. Depending on your needs and projects — from wearing apparel for yourself and family unit to home decor and garments for sale — yous tin can choose from models ranging in price from $200 for personal apply to $500 or more for commercial apply. Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches dwelling products.

Here are the all-time serger sewing machines:

Best overall: Brother 1034D three/iv Thread Serger with Differential Feed, $249.99 from Amazon
Easy and fun to use, the Blood brother 1034D /iv Thread Serger with Differential Feed boasts versatility, dependability, and high quality in functioning.

Best on a budget: Singer ProFinish 14CG754 Serger, $230.99 from Amazon
The affordable Vocaliser ProFinish 14CG754 Serger is great for sewers who want versatility and quality for a good toll.

Best portable serger: Juki MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Machine, $369 from Amazon
Although small-scale, the Juki MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Machine delivers a lot of power and high-quality performance with a maximum speed of ane,500 stitches per minute.

Best for beginners: Janome 8002D Serger, $329 from Amazon
For someone starting out, the Janome 8002D Serger is just right — easy to employ, easy to thread, and highly functional.

All-time for advanced users: Singer Professional 5 14T968DC Serger, $549 from Amazon
For experienced users and fifty-fifty those who do commercial sewing, the Singer Professional 5 14T968DC Serger offers splendid performance and diverse stitching capabilities in a heavy-duty torso.

The all-time overall

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Like shooting fish in a barrel and fun to utilize, the Brother 1034D /4 Thread Serger with Differential Feed boasts versatility, dependability, and loftier quality in functioning.

With 22 born stitches, the pop Blood brother 1034D 3/iv Thread Serger with Differential Feed is dearest for its functionality and efficiency. Fast at upwardly to 1,300 stitches per minute, this model features options including 4-thread overlock, three-thread overlock, narrow hem, rolled hem, and ribbon lock stitches. Unfortunately, this model cannot do a encompass sew together.

Still, it can handle a broad variety of fabrics (e.g., formal wear, linen, fifty-fifty thin and stretchy material), and finishes seams, edges, and hems with a professional person affect. Rating this model as its top pick, the team at Design My Costume found that information technology cuts cloth cleanly and sews pieces expertly.

Adding to its versatility, the Brother 1034D iii/iv Thread Serger with Differential Feed besides tin can exist used to create ruffles and decorative edges. You lot also accept control over other features, similar the presser foot pressure (via an adjustment dial), thread tension (of each needle individually), run up width (3.00mm to 7.00mm), and a removable free arm for working on sleeves and cuffs.

Users rave (and are relieved) that this model is easy to thread. She Likes to Sew praises its color-coded and numbered upper thread guides and lower looper threading instructions. The Brother 1034D iii/iv Thread Serger with Differential Feed also comes with snap-on interchangeable presser feet for quick, easy changes between unlike types of stitch if needed.

It'south the top pick for beginners on The Finest Thread, which describes it as "extremely easy to use," and The Tool Study, which praises its reliability and sturdiness.

Pros: Fast, versatile, easy to use, and dependable

Cons: No two-thread stitch choice, lacks embrace sew adequacy

The all-time on a upkeep

Amazon

The affordable Singer ProFinish 14CG754 Serger is peachy for sewers who want versatility and quality for a adept price.

Able to do two-, 3-, and four-thread stitches, the Vocalist ProFinish 14CG754 Serger offers much functionality and superb performance at a decent price. This model even comes pre-threaded with red, yellow, green, and bluish spools — and rethreading is simplified by its color-coded organisation that indicates the path for each thread by color.

The Singer ProFinish 14CG754 Serger has eight different stitch options, from basic to decorative sewing, like finished seams, edging, narrow hems, and rolled hems. Sewing up to 1,300 stitches per minute, this efficient, user-friendly model features adjustable stitch width and length for applique, basting, and more than. Its differential feed adjusts fabric feed for creating polish seams on very stretchy fabrics.

The Vocalist ProFinish 14CG754 Serger also has a removable storage compartment and a congenital-in costless arm for sewing sleeve cuffs and hemming pants, as well as a movable upper knife that can trim excess seam allowances or retract when you don't need it (e.yard., during flat locking). Users commented that perhaps nigh helpful is the instructional DVD.

Rated the tiptop "upkeep pick" past Design My Costume, this model is also named "all-time bang for buck" past BestReviews. The Tool Report picks information technology as the best model for "entry-level pricing."

Pros: User-friendly, many features (similar ii-, iii-, and four-thread stitches), affordable cost

Cons: Heavy

The all-time portable serger

Amazon

Although small, the Juki MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Machine delivers a lot of power and high-quality operation with a maximum speed of one,500 stitches per minute.

The Juki MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Automobile is modest but stable — despite its size, information technology doesn't vibrate or movement around much during operation. Combine that with its two-. three-, and four-thread options, fast stitching speed, and other handy features, and you have high performance in a small parcel.

The Juki MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Automobile executes diverse stitches, including two-thread clouded, ii- and iii-thread rolled hem, three-thread overlock, 3-thread narrow overlock, three-thread flatlock, and four-thread overlock. Information technology features an hands adjustable differential feed that keeps fabric moving evenly or can be used for ornamental styles, similar a lettuce edge.

A congenital-in seam allowance guide and heavy-duty knife help create clean-cut and even seams on thick and thin fabrics. In fact, The Tool Report was able to stitch and cut through six layers of cotton batting and two layers of denim.

In add-on to a convenient color-coded threading guide, the Juki MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Machine has a lower looper threader that disengages for quick and piece of cake threading before merely snapping dorsum into place. Speaking of snapping, this serger likewise has a snap-on multi-role presser foot that accommodates overlock stitching as well equally tape, elastic, ribbon, or sequins.

Design My Costume rated this model every bit the best portable unit, while The Tool Report highly recommends it to beginners and experienced users.

Pros: Meaty, fast, smooth performance, strong knife

Cons: Pricey, no embrace stitch option, no gratis arm

The best for beginners

Amazon

For someone starting out, the Janome 8002D Serger is just right — piece of cake to use, easy to thread, and highly functional.

The word "easy" is oftentimes used to describe the Janome 8002D Serger. Arriving pre-threaded with white thread, this reliable car is gear up to work correct away. Information technology executes three- and four-thread stitches and easily converts to a rolled hem. Color-coded tension dials are easily threaded, and color-coded thread guides aid newbies re-thread the serger easily.

The Janome 8002D Serger has a differential feed system, adaptable force per unit area for its snap-on presser feet, and adaptable stitch lengths and widths. Working upwards to 1,300 stitches per minute, this model is versatile and efficient.

Best of all, the Janome 8002D Serger is well-suited for users learning the craft. Teach You To Sew noted that this model is great for kids besides equally for people with arthritic hands. The Tool Report described it as great for beginners. Sewing Car Reviews, She Likes to Sew, and BestReviews rank this serger within their pinnacle five models.

Amazon as well bundles bonus accessories like the Janome Blind Sew Foot and a five-pack of Schmetz Universal 90/14 Needles with the Janome 8002D Serger.(The package is currently unavailable on Amazon)

Pros: Piece of cake to use and re-thread, stiff and smashing stitching work

Cons: No complimentary arm, no embrace run up option

The best for advanced users

Amazon

For experienced users and even those who do commercial sewing, the Singer Professional person five 14T968DC Serger offers splendid operation and diverse stitching capabilities in a heavy-duty body.

On the other finish of the spectrum is the Singer Professional 5 14T968DC Serger, a model with lots of bell and whistles — fitting for advanced users.

Capable of doing 2-, three-, four-, and five-thread stitches, this workhorse tin execute various cover stitches (narrow, triple, double chain, or broad) besides equally serger stitches (five- and four-thread prophylactic, v-thread condom wide, four- and three-thread ultra-stretch mock safety, three-thread overlock, iii-thread flatlock, two-thread wrapped-edge overlock, and two-thread overedge).

This serger too has four congenital-in rolled hems. So many dissimilar types of seams, hem finishes, and decorative edges are attainable with this machine, and the 5-thread overlock run up is very stiff. The three- and four-thread overlock stitches are no slouches either.

As expected for a serger of this level, a differential feed adjusts fabric feed for smooth seams, a colour-coded threading organisation makes re-threading elementary, and a speed of 1,300 stitches per minute makes each job quick. Pleasant bonuses include the self-adjusting tension system (where you pick a sew together and the machine automatically calibrates the tension to keep stitches even) and an extra-high presser foot lifter to accommodate thick fabrics.

Speaking of presser feet, in addition to a full general-purpose foot, the Vocaliser Professional five 14T968DC Serger comes with six extra presser feet: elastic (to add elastic to delicate textile), beading/sequin (to beautify garments or home decor), shirring (to get together cloth and attach it to a flat slice simultaneously), blind hem, cording, and taping.

Finally, the Vocalizer Professional v 14T968DC Serger has a heavy-duty metal interior frame and stainless steel bedplate for durability. Combined with reliability and superb functioning, this machine is built for frequent and proficient utilize.

Design My Costume named this model "best for professionals," and The Tool Written report rated it "best avant-garde serger."

Pros: A multitude of diverse stitching options, overlock and embrace stitching, automatically adaptable tension

Cons: No complimentary arm, a scrap heavy

Check out our other sewing gear guides

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The best sewing shears

As anyone who sews will tell y'all, cut tools are invaluable to ensure the precision shaping of fabric pieces. But don't grab your regular household scissors. If y'all plan to sew together (or already sew together but could upgrade your toolkit), make your life a lot easier and invest in shears designed for cutting fabric. These are the best sewing shears.

The all-time sewing machines

For people who like to brand their own dress, linens, and other cloth items, or only to make repairs or alterations, sewing machines are indispensable. In our guide, nosotros note which experience levels will benefit most from each automobile, including which ones will go along to serve yous well as you develop your abilities. These are the best sewing machines.

The best sewing supplies

Whether you lot're replacing a button, mending a hole, or repairing a tear, you need a supply of basic sewing accessories. We've rounded up the must-have items in any sewer's toolbox.

Helen Mao

Freelance Writer

Helen is a freelance writer and editor who enjoys covering lifestyle, home, and DIY topics. She also helps teach clinical skills to medical students as a standardized patient (most people never heard one, only it'south a real thing!). When not writing, she's nigh likely watching comedy videos, reading, knitting, taking ballet grade, or trying to become exterior.

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