Question 1

Do you need both an overlocker and a sewing machine?

Accepted Answer

If you are sewing for a living, you need an overlocker. But if you only do basic tasks like mending clothing, you would only need a primary sewing machine. Sewists, whether new or expert in the craft, want tools that simplify sewing and produce quicker professional results. Some traditional sewing machines can perform overlock stitch, which is good. But it cannot cut the fabric as it stitches, just like an overlock machine. Although a sewing machine can make an overcast stitch, it cannot produce a professional finish on the edges of your fabric as an overlocker would. As you improve your sewing skills, you will want a machine that will give you the best finish your sewn garment can have. An overlocker can provide you with a professional finish similar to store-bought clothing. Experienced sewists can attest that once you have used one, you will not want to return to finish your seams with a domestic sewing machine. Before deciding what kind of sewing machines to buy, you must consider the sewing projects you will mostly do and what sewing features you need. If you need to seam mostly knitted or jersey fabrics, you may need to purchase a machine that can do overlock stitches. You can sew the seams of these stretchy fabrics best on a serger than on an ordinary sewing machine. Buying a serger and sewing machine combo can give you more benefits if you use the machine for tasks other than sewing hems and edge finishes. You can also work on a traditional sewing machine if you rarely need to use the overlock stitch. If you need a machine to mend tears or cuts on your clothing, you only need a domestic sewing machine with the basic stitches, such as the straight and zigzag stitches. It is best to get an overlocker if you need to decorate your garment with the flatlock stitch or any stitch you can only get from a serger. If you need more straight stitches or buttonholes, you only need a traditional sewing machine, not an overlocker. If you want to decorate your fabric using the flatlock stitch or any overlocker stitch, get a serger that provides the necessary stitches. Determine how much you think you will need an overlocker versus an ordinary sewing machine. Acquaint yourself with its different stitches and sewing features to know if you need it as much as a primary sewing machine. Benefits The first thing that comes to mind is less space to park your machine and more workspace to do your sewing projects. You can save money by paying only for one machine instead of two devices that can deliver the tasks you need. You also need only one table to hold your combo machine instead of two pieces of furniture for two types of sewing machines. When you need to work on a sewing project, you save time by setting up only one machine instead of two. Drawbacks The quality of stitching on the combo machine may be better than using a separate sewing machine or serger specializing in these sewing tasks. The speed of the combo machine may be slower than the single sewing machine or overlock machine. You may not get the fine features an independent overlock machine can provide, such as a clean fabric edge cut by a serger knife blade or a secured hemstitched with multiple threads. As a serious sewist who needs a sewing machine that can assemble your sewing project and make a quick and clean finish, it would be best to get a sewing and serger combo machine to provide you with the precise sewing features you need.

Question 2

Can you sew a regular stitch with a serger?

Accepted Answer

You cannot sew a regular stitch on a serger. A serger cannot replace a traditional sewing machine because many sewing projects use straight stitches. The stitches a serger can make are usually used to join seams and prevent your fabrics from fraying. Also, a serger cannot attach zippers, create buttonholes, or do topstitching.

Best Sewing Machine and Serger Combo (How to Pick)

Janome vs. Juki Serger | Which is Better?

Janome vs. Bernette | Which is Better?

Janome vs Pfaff | Which is Better?

The 17 Best Sewing Tables of 2023

Can you Sew on the floor?

51 Sewing Stats for 2022

26 Must-Haves for Sewing Enthusiasts in 2022

Best Sewing Machine for an Advanced Seamstress

Best mini sewing machine for beginners?