What is a serger? What does a serger do?
Why, let me show you in all-new video format.
A serger is a type of sewing machine, with it you can sew your own stretch t-shirts and sweatpants as well as finish hems so your projects look super professional. This serging basics video will show you three of the basic stitches you can create with a serger: a three thread overlock, a rolled hem and a t-shirt hem. It’s super easy, check it out (and ignore how messy my garage workspace is please).
WOW! This is so fun! I love watching you serge. In fact, I just had a surge of Serger envy.
is it wrong that the two exciting things i called out that you can make are a t-shirt and sweatpants? which i am also wearing in the video? sexy. lucky carleton curtis.
I bet you could also make grannie panties. I'm just saying.
Is that comment "politically" correct?
Only kidding!
Oh how I love thy Serger! My Mom has one, and every 6 months or so we go get a huge stack of fabric, then go have a cloth napkin making session! Its so nice to restock on cloth napkins as the tend to get dingy. And make them for all seasons!
Anonymous (aka Mom) – don't be a hater because I used the term "Grannie Panties." I have complete respect for both Grannies and the so-named comfy underwear. PS. You're funny!
The grannie panties Jacinda gave me at my baby shower were the most useful gift I recieved. Did this commenter (your mom) sense sarcasm? Because we got nothin but love for grannies and their panties!
ugh. i'm torn between saving for a serger, or a dress form. it's one or the other for me for now, and i was sold on the dress form…until i saw this video.
i like the "video format". it's just easier to see, and understand certain tutorials in video. i never knew how they serged that hem on tee's.
mad love for the grannie panties! 🙂
love the video and thanks for the demo. I can't wait to do more stuff on my serger.
krista – i saw a DIY for a dress form today! i think it was on craftzine. i will have to hunt it down!
I love that it's in a video because I have been wanting to know exactly what it can do but hadn't really figured that out until I watched your video.
You said that you just started sewing 6 months ago. How did you learn? I've been sewing for about a year but only off and on. I still feel like I'm not as advanced as I would like to be. Any advice?
And Krista – Samster Mommy shows a tutorial on making your own duct tape dress form.
http://samstermommy.blogspot.com/2009/08/duct-tape-dress-form-tutorial.html Maybe that will help!
jenny lynn. ok so i have known how to use a sewing machine and sew a straight line for a long time. i've sewn with patterns before, but about six months ago i started really sewing every day (almost) and teaching myself construction. i make a lot of things that don't end up on this site because i have to try a technique until i get it right. it's all about practice and studying and of course enjoying it.
Jaime, I LOVE your site. I just stumbled across it on the OhDeeDoh site for the DIY crib sheet post and as a brand new sewer, I have learned so much from you already! This serger post is awesome because I still hadn't figured out exactly what they were good for, and now I know! Thank you so much and thank you for coming up with such creative and easy things to DIY!
Thanks for the advice. I can't believe you started sewing only 6 months ago… you are amazing!
http://bombardone.com/sewingprincess
I have 3 dead sewing machines picked up at sales and they keeep getting knocked off of timing. I picked up a great vintage singer tiffany blue but wondering if I should plunge the $100 on the old or just by a new one. I saw this vid and now I want a serger…..what r ur thoughts…
Is a serger the same as what we in the UK would call an overlocker? As far as I'm concerned, serge is a type of fabric!
I am extremely new to sewing, have been trying to learn for many many years but never managed. Finally bought a sewing machine this year and enrolled myself on a course last week. I've already made some personalised bunting for my daughter's room and came across your website when I joined mysewingcircle.com. I have many of your projects in my 'to do' list!
A little late to the comments on this one. While I prefer the written word, some things are just easier to show (esp. as they would take about 1000+ words to explain).
My only critique is it would be helpful if you could zoom in more on the stitching. I know this was your first video and I haven't watched many others, but it helps if I can truly see what you are showing.
thanks for the video! I will now try the serger a friend just gave me.
Hey! Well, I tried a blind hem (or the last hem) like you did- but I see little lines of thread on the "good" side of the fabric- I can't find in my manual how to adjust it so those lines go away. Any ideas? -anna
(I was using the left needle- maybe I'll try the right and see what happens!)
Okay, now I need a serger. Cool video, very helpful!
Great video. If you think your work space is messy, I’m not going to show you mine. So glad I found your site.
Hey, I was wondering if you could tell me something about this serger. I like Singer. My mom has a 20, or maybe 30 year old one, that still runs great, but I “cheated” the brand with a Brother sewing machine. Now I’m looking into buying a serger, a cheap one… and I read horrible reviews of this one, but great about a comparable Brother. I thought Singer would be the better of the two, but now I’m not sure. I also really like my Brother. How does it perform after two years?
Thank you for your serger video. That was exactly the information I needed to decide whether to buy a serger or not.
Off to buy a serger! Thanks…BTW Love your site 🙂
I love the video but I have been a professional in home seamstress for 4 years and have always just used a zig zag stitch on jersey or anything else that is stretchy, I have never once had a customer say anything fell apart or gathered when it shouldn’t have gathered.
I can tell you have amazing skills! Stretching the fabric just right for a zig zag is a delicate art.
I know this is an old post but great informative video . There is no better way to explain a serger than by a video