Because they can be used for multiple purposes, a serger for beginners is a great purchase for someone looking to learn to sew. Not only can the better products make it easy to sew seams and edges, but some can even be used to roll hems and have various additional features.
This is only when you pick up a quality serger and you need more than multiple threads although this will go a long way towards making the product more versatile. Because it can be difficult to tell a lot of these products apart, we have created a list of the best sergers for beginners. Each one has something different to offer but share at least one thing in common, they are easy to use.
- Editor’s Choice
SINGER | ProFinish 14CG754 2-3-4 Thread Serger (Amazon) – Review - Best Brother Serger For Beginners
Brother Serger, 1034DX, Durable Metal Frame Overlock Machine (Amazon) – Review - Best Affordable
Singer Finishing Touch 14SH654 Serger (Amazon) – Review - Best Heavy-Duty
Brother ST4031HD Serger, Strong & Tough Serger (Amazon) – Review - Best High-End
Juki MO-1000 Serger, Push Button Jet Air Looper Threader,purple (Amazon) – Review - Best Compact
Juki 1-Needle, 3-Thread Overlock Machine MO-623 (Amazon) – Review
Editor’s Choice: SINGER | ProFinish 14CG754 2-3-4 Thread Serger
Easily the best serger for beginners and one that is as impressive as it is popular. There is everything from adjustable stitch length to 2, 3, or 4 thread capability which is almost unheard of in this price range. With differential feed, it is particularly easy to use which is exactly what we are after for a beginner’s machine.
The color-coded lay-in threading is easy to get on with so it doesn’t take long to get set up every time. Its 1,300 stitches per minute capability mean the user can make light work of large projects once they are up to speed. There are 4 rolled hems built-in and loads of accessories included. This. means a beginner can use their included needles, all-purpose foot, tweezers, stitch guide, and a lot more.
- 2, 3, or 4 thread capability
- Adjustable stitch length
- Differential feed
- 1,300 stitches per minute
- Great value
Best Brother Serger For Beginners: Brother Serger, 1034DX, Durable Metal Frame Overlock Machine
With a metal frame and tonnes of features, this is one of the best sergers for beginners. It works as a 3 or 4 thread serger that is capable of sewing layers of denim and other tough materials with ease. We like it because it is also one of the more powerful machines that a beginner can improve their skills with as the 1034DX can produce up to 1,300 stitches per minute.
There are color-coded thread guides to make it easy to get going and the lower and upper loopers are numbered. What is also impressive is that it comes with plenty of useful accessories such as multiple feet like the standard and blind stitch. To top it off, this also comes with a reasonable price tag and a protective cover.
- 3 or 4 thread serger
- Can go through multiple layers of denim
- 1,300 stitches per minute
- Easy to thread
- Takes a little while to get used to
Best Affordable: Singer Finishing Touch 14SH654 Serger
This is a quality serger for beginners from Singer and can be used for 3 or 4 thread stitches. To get going you can use the color-coded thread system so no matter what level of experience you are, this is going to make life easier. There is also a free arm feature that makes it easier to stich those tricky corners and harder to reach areas.
The speed and power you get is impressive for a beginners serger as it can offer 1,300 stitches per minute. We are a fan of the small features like the thread length adjuster and adjustable tension that is important when you are working with different materials. It’s heavy-duty frame makes it almost indestructible to ensure it is going to last a long time.
- 1,300 stitches per minute
- 3 or 4 thread stitches
- Thread length dial
- Adjustable tension
- Takes a little while to get it set correctly
Best Heavy-Duty: Brother ST4031HD Serger, Strong & Tough Serger
Even a serger machine for beginners can be heavy-duty which is the case with this quality option from Brother. Made with more durable parts including an extra hard carbon steel blade, it allows you to make smooth cuts for an excellent finish. There are color-coded thread guides so it is still easy to use even with the added power and can push out 1,300 stitches per minute.
Eventually, even a beginner will need a little more out of their serger machine which is why this comes with 3 accessory feet. These consist of blind stitch, standard, and gathering feet. If you have larger projecrts in mind then this is a good option as it has an extension table for added stability.
- Durable materials
- Color-coded thread guides
- Includes 3 accessory feet
- 1,300 stitches per minute
- Can be a little louder than some of the competition
Best High-End: Juki MO-1000 Serger, Push Button Jet Air Looper Threader,purple
Despite the additional features this product offers, it is still a good serger for beginners. Anyone who thinks they want to start easy but needs something that will be capable of more once they get up to speed should consider this option. Like many of the other options, it comes with an automatic needle threader and when the cover is open, it stops the machine from operating which is. a good idea for a beginner.
It comes with a handful of neat accessories including a vinyl cover, needle pack, and more but the 5-year warranty is the most reassuring feature as it does cost more than your average serger for beginners. With a push-button air-jet looper, reduced noise, and 2 or 3 thread conversion, it is machine worthy of any sewer.
- Automatic needle threader
- Safety features
- 5-year warranty
- 2/3 thread conversion
- Only comes with one presser foot
Best Compact: Juki 1-Needle, 3-Thread Overlock Machine MO-623
The small comparative footprint of this serger for beginners makes it a good choice and features a built-in rolled hem that doesn’t require the user to change the plate. It can be adapted to either a 2 or 3 thread machine and has a knife cutting mechanism that you can use or disengage whenever you choose. Despite the size it is one of the more powerful machines capable of up to 1,500 stitches per minute. You’ll find this is more than enough, espeically for a beginner.
You can adjust the stitch length and cutting width so there are plenty of ways to tweak this serger to your needs. Often labelled as easy to use, especially to set up, it puts more power in the hands of a beginner so when they are more experienced, there is no need to switch to a more advanced machine.
- 1,500 stitches per minute
- Built-in rolled hem
- 2 or 3 thread machine
- Adjustable stitch length
- A lot of power for a beginner
Although the word beginner shouldn’t put limitations on the capability of a machine, it should ensure it is easier to use than others. When it comes to finding the best serger for beginners there are many considerations to mull over before you buy. Not all products are built with the same quality so it is important to understand them better.
This is why we have created the following buyer’s guide. At the end of it, you can make an informed decision.
Stitches Per Minute
Even though as a beginner you might not need so much speed until you feel more confident, it is good to have a decent amount behind the machine. This means that when you are faster, you won’t need to purchase another product so it can keep up.
A typical max speed for most sergers for beginners is around 1,300 stitches per minute.
Sharp Blade
When cutting the fabric, you need a sharp blade for a clean cut. Otherwise, you are dealing with frayed ends and a messy finish. This is one element of what makes them faster and more desirable for certain stitches.
Thread Options
The more thread options you get the more versatile the serger for beginners is going to be. Still, you don’t need to overdo it if you are completely new to using these machines. A product with 3 or 4 threads is often enough.
Easy Threading
You need a product that is easy to thread and most beginner sergers will have automatic threading or an easy to follow the diagram to help get you started. Even sergers designed for professional use offer this feature rather than leaving it up to the user to spend a long time threading.
Heavy-Duty Frame
With so many stitches per minute being pushed out of the machine, it needs to have a heavy-duty frame. This is what will stop it from vibrating to an uncomfortable degree and keeps the noise down.
There is no getting away from the fact that a. serger machine is still going to shake a little and make some noise, but it would be a lot worse without a sturdy, heavy-duty frame.
Warranty
Because there are so many working parts to a serger machine, it is important to find a product that comes with a decent warranty. Some of the world’s biggest brands included lengthy warranties of up to 25 years and since many machines last for decades, this is a good idea to protect your purchase for longer.
Anyone who wants to makes stitches that replicate those store-bought garments will find a regular sewing machine to be too limited, There are various types of stitches for different parts of your clothes which is where a serger for beginners can come in handy.
These machines are capable of stitching cuffs among other areas to deliver the sort of quality you expect from your favorite stores. Such stitches make it possible for the clothes to stretch without breaking and will be more durable than others. In truth, they work best as a complementary machine to a regular sewing machine as there are strengths to both.
Zipper,s buttons, and top stitches are a few of the types best saved for a sewing machine whereas a serger can help to apply the finishing touches.
When looking for the ideal product, you might be persuaded by certain attributes, but you still need to know how to use the machine when it arrives. The first thing to do should be to take a good look at the instruction manual. This will give you all the key safety advice and help you to get started.
When you are ready, it all starts with threading. This is often made easy by a color-coded display to the side of the machine. A telltale sign that you haven’t quite got this right yet is when the stitches don’t look right. A four thread stitch is arguably the most commonly used as this is what you will find on your store-bought garments. They are the most durable of a 2, 3, or 4 thread serger.
When you are ready to get decorative, you can use a rolled hem to add some flair.
This is an important aspect of owning any sewing machine, a serger is no different. It is a good habit to clean it after every use to extend the lifespan. When lint and dust build-up it can lead to issues with performance. Clean the interior after you have removed the needle and thread and any working metal areas can be treated with oil to ensure they function properly.
Another way. to make sure it works as best it can is by checking the knife. If it is not sharp enough, then threaded fabric will not look as polished as it should.
This can vary depending on the spec and brand. A lot of decent serger machines that are ideal for beginners can be purchased for a little over $200.
Anything below this should be avoided as it is not going to give you a high-performance or quality accessories. If you have more to spend then some of the best serger machines cost around $500 to $1,000. This will land you a machine that is professional-grade, with more thread options although some of the additional features might be a little complex for a beginner.
In a word, yes. A serger is a name used in the US, used to describe what the rest of the world calls an overlooker. This comes from the overlooking stitch technique that resembles that of knitting.
