How Does a Serger Work?

What Is a Serger?

A serger is a type of sewing machine that uses several threads to enclose and sew a seam. Sergers are great for finishing raw edges, since many models trim the fabric and stitch at the same time.
Sergers are also handy for sewing knit and stretch fabrics. While these fabrics aren't as prone to fraying as a woven, knits can be hard to sew correctly on a conventional machine. A serger finishes a seam while keeping it flexible and able to stretch--a necessity for form-fitting garments.

Elementary Serger Mechanics

A serger uses two to five threads, each with its own separate spool and needle. A serged edge is a combination of weaving and stitching, with two needles that actually penetrate the fabric. The other "needles" pass thread over or under the main needles to create the locked, stable final product. A machine might have a small "knife" or cutter that moves back and forth, constantly trimming spare threads for the raw edge so that it's clean-looking.

Special Stitching With a Serger

Sergers can do many things. They're useful for making gathers, creating rolled hems and sewing decorative stitches. Many designers simply serge their hems and edges rather than rolling them for an interesting stylistic touch.
To figure out what a particular machine is capable of, thoroughly read the instruction manual and ask questions before and after purchase. For instance, a seamster making Spandex costumes may be more satisfied with a Merrow machine than a Kenmore four-thread serger since the Merrow produces a very tight stitch.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Serger Place: Questions and answers
• Sergers: History and instructions