What Is the Difference Between a Sewing Machine and a Serger?

There are many differences between sewing machines and sergers.

There are many tools around a sewer's workroom; sewing machines and sergers are the most basic and useful. They are two different types of machines with two different purposes.

Sewing Machine

A sewing machine uses a top thread and a bottom thread, called a bobbin, to sew fabric. Sewing machines can make straight stitches, as well as zigzags and other decorative stitches. A sewing machine can sew anywhere on the fabric, with the ability to sew hems, darts, seams, pockets, buttonholes and zippers.

Serger

A serger is also called an overlock machine. It uses two, three or four threads with one or two needles and two loopers. It creates looped stitches over the edge of a fabric, usually cutting excess fabric as it stitches. Because it only sews over the edge of a fabric, it cannot sew things that must be done in the middle of the fabric. Its overlocking technique is usually used as a finishing stitch to keep the fabric from fraying or on knit fabric like t-shirts because its unique looped stitches don't break when stretched.

Used Together

A serger and a sewing machine are not interchangeable; however, they are often used in conjunction with one another. You can use a sewing machine to sew a shirt together, make buttonholes and put on its pockets and then use a serger on all the edges for a professional, clean seam finish.

References

• CraftStylish: Serger 101
• What the Craft: Serger Basics