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Do you really need a serger? Or is it just another shiny machine that will take up space and gather dust?
Those perfectly finished seams in store-bought clothes look so good, but the price tag on a serger might make you hesitate.
Let's weigh the pros, cons, and secrets of what a serger can (and can’t) do for your sewing—and find out if this machine is the upgrade your sewing room needs!
What Does a Serger Do?
Before we dive into the pros and cons, let's start with the basics: what exactly does a serger do?
A serger finishes your fabric's raw edges and seam allowances with a neat, professional-looking stitch. It’s especially helpful when sewing knits, as it trims and sews at the same time, making your seams durable and stretchy. It's also handy to have for finishing seam allowances on woven projects or finishing raw edges of yardage before you pre-wash it.
Take a look at the inside seams of most ready-to-wear clothing, and you’ll see the characteristic overlock stitch a serger creates.
Here’s what you can use a serger for:
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Seam finishing: Sergers trim and neatly contain raw edges, so you don’t need to use a zigzag or pinking shears to finish your seam allowances. -
Constructing knits: Sergers handle stretchy fabrics beautifully, so you can sew an entire pair of leggings or a T-shirt on your serger, in about half the time it would take you to sew it on your machine. Keep in mind, it’s not recommended to construct woven garments on your serger. -
Decorative edges: Many sergers have settings for decorative stitches. Rolled edges are a popular finish for delicate fabrics and napkins. You can also get specialty feet to help insert elastic and sew ruffles or gathers.
By the way, you might know sergers by another name. Depending on where you live, sergers are also known as overlockers, so feel free to use these terms interchangeably—it’s the same machine!
Pros: Reasons to Get a Serger
Now, let’s look at the pros and cons of buying a serger.
Here are some reasons why you might want a serger:
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Professional finishes: If you want your sewing projects to look polished, especially on knits and all your seam allowances, a serger provides a finish that a standard machine just can’t match. -
Saves time: Sergers trim and sew the fabric all at once, making seam finishing much faster than doing it with a regular machine. -
Stretchy, durable seams: When you sew knits, you need a stitch that can stretch without breaking. Sergers are designed to produce sturdy, flexible seams that hold up well with stretch fabrics. -
Specialty options: With a serger, you can create decorative edges, rolled hems, and other specialty stitches that add a unique touch to your projects.
If you’re already convinced that you want a serger, be sure to check out our popular course—it’s free for members! Ready, Set Serge: Serger Basics.
We cover how to thread a serger on a bunch of different machines from the most popular brands, including BERNINA, Brother, Juki, and Janome.
The class will empower you to thread, operate, and troubleshoot your machine, and you’ll learn tricks for working with different fabrics and stitches. Plus, you'll leave the course with a stylish new T-shirt you created yourself—the Ryan T-shirt pattern is included in the course along with a full sewalong.
Cons: Why You Might Not Need a Serger
Of course, there are reasons why a serger might not be a necessary investment for everyone.
You can sew any project without a serger, even knits! Here’s how to sew knits without a serger.
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Steep learning curve: Sergers can be tricky to set up and use, especially when it comes to threading and adjusting tension. This might be frustrating if you're just starting out. But this actually hardly counts as a con, because we have a super easy course that teaches you everything you need to know to set up, troubleshoot, and sew with your serger. It’s even free for Seamwork members! You can read about it here—Ready, Set Serge: Serger Basics. -
Alternatives work well enough: While a serger does give a polished finish, a zigzag stitch or overlock foot on your regular machine can also do the job, especially if you don’t sew a lot of knits. -
It takes up space: A serger will take up extra room in your sewing space, so if you already have multiple machines, you’ll need to consider if you have space for one more. -
Cost: Even basic sergers can be pricey. If you’re on a budget, this might be a big factor, especially when there are alternatives.
So, Do You REALLY Need a Serger?
Ultimately, it’s not about the number of pros and cons—it’s about how much you’d value having a serger.
If you sew a lot of garments—especially knits—and want the durability and polished look a serger provides, you’ll probably love having one in your sewing room.
But if you’re working with a tight budget, have limited space, or don’t mind the look of a zigzag or overlock foot finish, you can absolutely sew without a serger and save some money.
If you’re still on the fence, try paying attention next time you sew. Notice how you feel about finishing seams and the end result of your project. This can help you decide if a serger would bring that extra bit of magic to your sewing.
In the end, your sewing machine is totally capable of finishing edges with a zigzag or faux overlock stitch.
A serger just does it better.
Your Turn: Do you have a serger? If you have a serger, what tips would you share with someone considering one? Or do you have any questions about sergers? Comment and share!
