Whether you are looking for the best serger for beginners or you are an old hand at serging and looking to upgrade to a better machine, there are a few things you need to consider when deciding how to choose a serger.
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How To Choose A Serger – Things To Consider
Here are some vital tips on how to choose a serger.
How Often Do You Plan on Using Your Serger?
One of the first things you need to consider is just how often you plan on using your serger.
If you don’t sew that often and just want a serger to finish off edges now and then, a basic serger will probably be sufficient to meet all of your needs.
However, if you do a lot of sewing or want a serger because you make a lot of quilts, or do a lot of hemming and alterations, then you may want a serger with a number of different bells and whistles.
Your Spending Budget
Another thing you are going to want to consider is the actual amount of money you can really afford to spend on a serger.
Starting prices for most basic sergers are around $200.00, while top of the line sergers can go for about $1000.00 and more.
While you do want to buy the best serger that you can afford, buying a serger that is way over your budget almost always creates dissatisfaction no matter how well the machine actually performs.
If you really have your heart set on a top notch serger that is way over what you can comfortably spend, it is better to wait and save up the money than spend money you simply don’t have and continually regret your decision.
New or Used
There are many people who purchase sergers, use them only once or twice and then return them because they discovered that a serger was not for them.
There are other serger machines available that people used and then turned in to upgrade to a more expensive serger.
In most cases there are stores that offer used sergers at a discounted price, they check out and repair any problems with these sergers before they offer them for sale.
While buying a used serger may not be everyone’s dream, it can be a great way to get a higher end serger for a price that is closer to those budget machines.
Read the Reviews
You should also take time to read different serger reviews in your price range. Every serger has its advantages and most have some disadvantages as well.
Serger Features
You should also consider if the features of the serger you want to buy meet your needs. Some of the vital features to look out for are:
- String Count – This is the number of threads that a serger uses for making stitches. A 2-3 thread machine will do most basic or simple edges, a 4 thread will do a more professional job, while you will need a 5 thread serger for cover-stitching.
- Tension Adjustment – All serger machines have tension adjustment, which helps you to control how tight your stitch is. While there are sergers that have automatic tension settings, most basic sergers have manual adjustment.
- Differential Feed – This feature allows you to work on different types of fabrics, including stretch fabrics like knit and spandex. It helps to prevent the material from stretching or bunching while you sew.
- Speed – How many stitches the machine makes in a minute. For beginners, a 1300 SPM (stitches per minute) machine should be ideal.
Taking the time to make sure that the advantages of any given machine are the advantages you yourself are looking for, while the disadvantages are something you can work with will result in your getting the best serger to meet your specific needs.
Sergers to Consider
JUKI MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Machine
SINGER | Professional 5 14T968DC Serger with 2-3-4-5 Threaded Capability, including Cover Stitch, Auto Tension, and Bonus Presser FeetBrother Serger, 1034DX, 3/4 Thread Serger with Differential Feed, 3 or 4 Thread Capability, 1,300 Stitches Per Minute, Color-Coded Threading Guides
