You love sewing and intend to buy a serger for beginners, but still don’t know what factors to consider before buying one? Let’s read this post to find out!
A serger or overlocker is a popular, preferred machine used in typical households because it is compact, lightweight, and versatile. With the support from such a compact machine, any people, even if entry-level sewer, can still finish the project.
Thus, it’s recommended to buy an overlocker, especially for those who don’t have much time to craft. However, we understand that it’s challenging how to find a proper best serger sewing machine for beginners without any instruction.
In this post, let’s dive deep into the top 5 factors to consider before purchasing a serger.
Five factors to consider before buying a serger for beginners
Your sewing level
The first factor to think about is how experienced you are at sewing. There are different skill sets between newbies and professionals, and your experience on the serger may be affected by that. Hence, it would be best if you read the serger’s guideline and watch the demo to see whether the serger is compatible with you.
We don’t think you can differentiate and even make use of all functions in a high-end machine and a basic one for entry-level buyers. Thus, we recommend you not invest too much money on sergers in the meantime, but rather focus on making use of all functions in a cheap serger instead.
The most helpful features, based on your need
Generally, there are three features that each serger must-have, and you can take a quick look at these features to decide which functions that you want your serger to master.
The first feature is the color-coded threading. Not every overlocker contains the automatic color-coded threading. If you want to use different color threads, please carefully read the guideline to check out whether a serger has this function or not before buying.
The second feature to think about is the automatic/customized thread tension. Some sergers for beginners provide automatic tensioning, giving users better control over the result, and delivering smoother stitching lines.
On the other hand, the expert users will prefer the models with customized tensioning because they can adjust to the level they like.
Thirdly, the feed is what you should consider. This is the most critical factor on any serger because the feed controls the knife, which is the main component to conduct the sewing task. Hence, please examine the feed carefully to test whether it can provide smooth edging and ruffling.
Sewing frequency
The sewing frequency is another factor to consider. The sergers are designed to “blend” with the sewing machines to produce the best sewing product. Hence, you should consider the type of sewing machine you will use in order to buy the most suitable serger.
For instance, if you plan to use the serger every day for lots of coverstitch work, you should think about buying a serger that can handle at least five threads.
But if you want to use the serger only for hemming, seaming, or finishing edges on garments, then a basic overlocker with 2 to 4 threads would be good enough.
In addition, the serger with more threads can work with higher efficiency, more versatility, and stability, but, certainly, have a higher price.
Pricing
Pricing has always been an important component that you should consider before buying any product. There is a common saying that “You get what you paid for”, hence, the more pricey the machine is, the better it is.
Given that fact, we can all agree that we should claim for the expensive models when choosing a serger. Well, it’s true, however, not totally a good option, though. The basic, cheap serger is also acceptable for entry-level users because people don’t demand much at the beginning level. The cheap ones can also satisfy the need to sew.
In short, we advise you to consider the price carefully before buying it. A high-end serger is always high quality, but sometimes you just don’t need that much of a serger. In some cases, having a cheap serger, but you make use of its function will help you produce greater projects than having a high-end overlocker but cannot exploit all of its function.
Mechanical vs Computerized models
There are two types of sergers available on the market nowadays: mechanical and electronic sergers. The mechanical is the traditional, widely-used, cheap; meanwhile, the latter is more powerful with touch-screens integrated. It’s subjective to select which is the better because each type has its strengths and weaknesses.
The mechanical machines are more lightweight, compact, and versatile. Some components are integrated into the electronic nanochips, making the machine smaller and easier to carry. You don’t need to do as much maintenance as the mechanical ones, either.
In contrast, the mechanical ones provide the more customized and powerful cut. The motor is organic, so there will be inconsistency during the sewing, but that is when your skill will be showcased.
You will be challenged to be aware of the cut’s power, the pattern, the feeling, and make a change whenever it is necessary. It is the same case for playing a grand piano and an electronic piano.
The feeling of being a master in a field, and then you can use the tool to support your project, not the tool that controls your performance, is so exciting and fulfilling, right?
Wrapping it up
Through this post, we have gone through the top 5 factors to consider before buying a serger for beginners in order not to choose the improper ones.
However, the list above are some of the tips we have figured out after years of experience, so there can be many other factors you should also pay attention to when purchasing a serger. Please have more further research to have the best final decision.
We hope this article provides you with helpful insight regarding buying a serger. Thank you for reading, and enjoy your sewing!
