[three beads]

I wanted to get some other opinions on this. I have been sewing for many years, I make clothing, toys, and a little bit of everything else. I have never owned a serger. I have always double stitched everything I make and I usually line any patchwork clothing with large numbers of seams. I have always said that when I could afford one I would get a serger. But I think now that after hearing for so many years about this and that and everyone using a serger, that I specifically do not want one now. None of my clothing has every fallen apart and I am not sure that I want to jump on the serger bandwagon.
So do any of you serger owners or not have an opinion. Am I just being stubborn or overly frugal, would it really be worth it to add more technology to my craft or should I stick to my basic machine.
Thank you for your input!

 

[Kari_mom]

I've sewn for over 30 years and only bought a serger last year. I love it, I really do. It has made my sewing so much faster and easier. Consider hems, for example. I can use my serger to finish and neaten the raw edge, then turn it up once and straight stitch it in place. No more turning under a quarter inch! Hurray!

I don't worry about my clothing falling apart without a serger, in fact I think serged seams are more likely to fall apart if your tensions are not correct. I reinforce the crotch seam in pants with a straight stitch too, even a four thread stitch isn't enough IME. Nothing can replace a sewing machine, but a serger really is a wonderful sewing tool.

 

[AMum]

I love my serger and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I do find that I sew most seams before or after serging the raw edges though. Perhaps my tension is not adjusted correctly? The seams pull apart just a bit and don't seem strong enough to me. Having said that I still think it makes my sewing time faster.

 

[rubelin]

I've been sewing for 30 years and had a serger for about half that time. Sergers are huge time savers, and make some things super easy. My serger will never replace my regular machine (s) but I will always have a serger as well.

ETA - I thought of a couple more things. While I still do french or felled seams on nicer things, I wll definitely use the serger for things like patchwork and simple jammie pants for the boys. I also work a lot with knits and a regualr sewing machine just can't beat a serger on knits.

If you do decide to get one, do invest in a good machine, either a higher end new one or an older model from back when they made them with metal. Sewing on a crappy serger is much worse than having no serger at all

 

[marybethorama]

What everyone said.

I love my serger and I wouldn't want to give it up.

I sew my seams too becuase the serger isn't strong enough IMO. I just love the way it finishes seams. I do hate, hate, hate finishing seams though

 

[fw221]

I've had my serger for almost 4 years now and still haven't been able to part with it long enough to get it tuned-up.

 

[E.V. Lowi]

I have had a serger for 25 years and I love my serger for finishing seams. The blades make the seam allowances uniform and neaten everything up. It is so much nicer than the old seam finishes that I used before, as serging doesn't stiffen up the seams as much as french felling or zig-zag does. Using a 'wooly' nylon type thread in the loopers really softens the seams up for tender young skin. My dd is really bothered by itchy seams, and this treatment always makes her garments more comfortable for her, without adding the bulk of lining.

I also serge the raw ends of fabrics, before I wash/dry/iron them and this makes straightening the grainlines a breeze in preparation for cutting. It is easy to follow the grainline serging across the goods and trim off the uneven part with the blades, at the same time. It's a real time saver.

I also love the tight 'Merrow' type edging that I use for decorative finishing of ruffles and so forth. My three thread machine will make a fully covering 3mm edging that looks wonderful on doll clothes and it does wider versions that I use over colored ribbon for Fiesta dresses. I also like to use gold and other colored metallic, iridescent or shiny decorative threads with the 'Merrow' type stitching to give beautiful 'lettuce' type ruffles on silks, chiffons and knits. Wedding veils and scarves are created in this fashion.

It is also possible on my serger, with a change of presser foot and some other adjustments, to apply elastic, both clear and braided and lots of other trims, too. This is a great feature when making swimwear and dancewear.

If you purchase a quality machine and you learn how to use it, the possibilities are endless. HTH