A Comparison of the Best Sergers

I started sewing in my early 30’s. A professional seamstress with over 40 years of experience taught me how to make curtains – a very basic project. I loved sewing from the moment I started.

At one point in the process she took it out her big, heavy serger and showed me how to use it. From that point on, I was hooked and I immediately got one of my own.

Sergers are incredibly powerful machines that allow you to really take your sewing projects to another level. With a serger you can create that professionally finished look as well as create ravel-free seams, tight overlock stitches, and decorative edges for all types of projects.

Here is a short video that shows the basics of a serger and shows two examples of how a serger can create beautifully finished edges.

[video_youtube video_url=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/tJ3ZXCb66R8″ width=”480″ height=”360″]

I’ve also written more in depth about a serger vs. a sewing machine to help if you aren’t clear about the differences.

What to Consider When Buying a Serger

Threading Ease

Threading a serger can be a quick and painless process or a frustrating, pull your hair out situation. I’ve been in both.

You want to be sure that the serger you choose has easy-to-follow directions and even a color-coded path to make the process as simple as possible. Most sergers these days have this but, from my experience, it can still take some trial and error when you are doing it for the first few times.

I currently own a Brother 1034D, but I’ve also used a Singer Serger, and I had some challenges with my first time threading both of them. It just takes trial and error and getting used to because it is very different from threading your sewing machine.

If it is at all possible, you should try to thread any serger that you are considering buying.

Differential Feed

This is a feature that you want on a serger (fyi – all three sergers being reviewed here have a differential feed).

Differential feed adjusts the movement of the feed dogs (the mechanism that feeds the material under the needle), so it adjusts how the fabric feeds to eliminate puckers, stretching, and ripples in your seams. This improve the stitch quality, which is especially important when working with stretchy, knitted, or thin fabrics.

Do You Really Need a Serger?

This is a question to ponder and the answer to this is tricky. In most cases, you don’t really need a serger. This is because most sewing machines have an overlock stitch to create neatly finished seams. But on the flipside, a sewing machine does not have the capability of cutting fabric and it can’t handle thicker threads that a serger can for decorative stitches. So most of us want a serger because they are pretty awesome machines )

Whether you are a beginning seamstress or a professional, we all want to simplify our projects and we want to create the best looking projects as possible. If you want to make the extra investment into a serger, then by all means go for it.

As I stated before, when I used my first serger I was hooked and immediately knew I had to have one.

Here is a comparison of some of the top selling sergers online.

Best Sergers Comparison Guide

	Brother 1034D	SINGER 14J250 Stylist II	JUKI MO644D
	[easyazon_image add_to_cart="default" align="left" asin="B0000CBK1L" cloaking="default" height="110" localization="default" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="default" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HN60XZM5L._SL110_.jpg" tag="sewsavvy-20" width="104"]Brother 1034D 3 or 4 Thread Serger[/easyazon_image]	[easyazon_image add_to_cart="default" align="left" asin="B0085IP2AC" cloaking="default" height="110" localization="default" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="default" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41000X9xU4L._SL110_.jpg" tag="sewsavvy-20" width="95"]SINGER 14J250 Stylist II Serger [/easyazon_image]	[easyazon_image add_to_cart="default" align="left" asin="B0014134IO" cloaking="default" height="110" localization="default" locale="US" nofollow="default" new_window="default" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ciVe42ogL._SL110_.jpg" tag="sewsavvy-20" width="110"]JUKI MO644D Portable Serger[/easyazon_image]
Number of Threads	3/4	2/3/4	2/3/4
Needle	Size 11 or 14	Size 11 or 14	Size 11 or 14
Differential Feed	0.7 to 2.0	0.7 to 2.0	0.7 to 2.0
Adjustable Stitch	Yes	Yes	Yes
Stitch Speed	1300 spm	1300 spm	1500 spm
Weight	15.0 lbs.	13.5 lbs.	15.0 lbs.
Rating (5)	4.6	4.3	4.7
Current Price	[easyazon_link asin="B0000CBK1L" locale="US" new_window="default" nofollow="default" tag="sewsavvy-20" add_to_cart="default" cloaking="default" localization="default" popups="default"]Check today's deal at Amazon[/easyazon_link]	[easyazon_link asin="B0085IP2AC" locale="US" new_window="default" nofollow="default" tag="sewsavvy-20" add_to_cart="default" cloaking="default" localization="default" popups="default"]Check today's deal at Amazon [/easyazon_link]	[easyazon_link asin="B0014134IO" locale="US" new_window="default" nofollow="default" tag="sewsavvy-20" add_to_cart="default" cloaking="default" localization="default" popups="default"]Check today's deal at Amazon [/easyazon_link]

I want to point out that I do not have the BabyLock brand of sergers represented here, but that is one of the best brands of Sergers out there. If you want to explore the Babylock brand, please visit their website to compare the sergers and find an authorized seller.

In Depth Review of Top Selling Sergers

[easyazon_link asin=”B0000CBK1L” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”sewsavvy-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Brother 1034D 3 or 4 Thread Serger[/easyazon_link]

This is the first serger I ever used and the one I currently own. I’ve been using this machine for over 3 years and I have no complaints.

Features of the Brother 1034D Serger:

• Differential fabric feed.
• Versatile stitch options: 4 thread overlock, 3 thread overlock, narrow hem, rolled hem, and ribbon lock stitches.
• Easy to follow, color-coded lay-in threading, and the lower looper threading system is designed to make sure the thread stays right in place.
• The stitch width can be adjusted between 5mm to 7mm from left needle.

Overall I can say that this is a great serger. I’ve used mine hundreds of times and I’ve never had any problems. It is incredibly powerful, fast, and it is simple to thread.

[easyazon_link asin=”B0085IP2AC” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”sewsavvy-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]SINGER 14J250 Stylist II Serger [/easyazon_link]

The Singer Stylist Serger is another top-selling serger. I’ve used this Serger and I thoughts it was a pretty good machine. It also has a color coded threading system, as well as a wide open threading system. This means that the front of the serger opens completely to reveal the loopers, to make threading easy.

Features of the Singer Stylist Serger:

• Differential feed to eliminate stretching and puckering.
  
• Many adjustable features like adjustable stitch length, adjustable tension, and adjustable cutting width.
• Automatic needle threader.

Overall, the Singer Stylist II Serger is a workhorse and will be able to handle the heaviest offabrics. It also has great reviews. It Another thing to keep in mind that you can sometimes find a used / refurbished one of these on Amazon and save up to $60. These machines are usually just as good as new, so be on the lookout for that deal.

[easyazon_link asin=”B0014134IO” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”sewsavvy-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]JUKI MO644D Portable Serger[/easyazon_link]

This brand and model of Serger costs a bit more than the Brother and Singer reviewed above, but it is also able to handle heavier projects. It is a reliable machine with a solid build, and it will stay stable and sturdy no matter what project you are working on.

Features of the Juki MO644D:

• Color coded chart to make threading as easy as possible.
• Automatic rolled hem capability.
• Adjustable stitch length and differential feed.

Overall the Juki MO644D is a heavy-duty machine, but it is light enough to be portable. It comes from the reliable Juki brand and easily creates beautifully finished seams.