Sergers, or overlock machines, are simply mechanical works of art. These magical machines allow you to make all kinds of beautiful designs and help you transform a small piece of fabric into a masterpiece. But there’s a catch: you need a good serger in order to do that. And here’s a secret: dealing with sergers can often be difficult. If you’re not a professional, you’ll need a serger that is specially made for beginners.
But how do you choose one? What do you look for in a serger for beginners? How do you make sure your hard-earned money is spent on a good model?
Well, by the time you’re done with this guide, you’ll know the answer to all these questions and you’ll even know the best 10 sergers for beginners that you can find on the market.
Who needs a Serger?
If you’re someone who loves their fabric and wants to sew and thread and knit all day long, you’ll definitely enjoy a serger. A serger gives your product a refined, professional touch. It helps you go beyond the average and mediocre, into the realm of professionally-designed clothing.
The best sergers ensure that your edges aren’t frayed or unraveled, but instead, look chic and classy. If all of this is what your heart desires, then you definitely need a serger.
Best 10 Sergers for Beginners 2020- Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
| weight | reviews(out of 5) | price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother 1034D 3/4 Thread Serger | 19.75 lbs | 4.3 | Check Price | |
| SINGER 14CG754 | 13.5 lbs | 3.9 | Check Price | |
| SINGER 14SH764CL Stylist Serger Portable Sewing Machine | 15 lbs | 3.9 | Check Price | |
| Brother Designio Series DZ1234 Serger | 18 lbs | 4.4 | Check Price | |
| SINGER Sewing Machine 14J250 Stylist II Serger Overlock Machine | 23 lbs | 3.9 | Check Price |
|
| SINGER 14SH6540 Differential-Feed Serger Sewing Machine | 17 lbs | 4.2 | Check Price | |
| SINGER 14T968DC Professional 5 5-4-3-2 Thread Capability Serger | 23 lbs | 3.9 | Check Price | |
| JUKI MO644D Portable Serger | 18 lbs | 4.4 | Check Price | |
| Janome 8002D Serger | 17 lbs | 4.1 | Check Price | |
| Juki MO-50E Serger | 20 lbs | 3.9 | Check Price |
How to Choose the Best Serger for Beginners – Things to Consider
Sergers can be expensive. Depending on the numbers of features and functions they have to offer, you can spend up to four figures on a serger. If you want to make sure your hard-earned money doesn’t go to waste, here are a few factors to consider.
1. Ease of use
If you’re a beginner, then this factor might be the most important one to consider. You want something that is extremely user-friendly. Basically, you want a serger for dummies. Ease of use is very important because you want to be able to get the job done quickly. No one wants to spend hours deciphering how a serger works. When choosing your serger, make sure it suits your level of expertise.
2. Price
The second factor you should consider is the price. Let’s face it: our budget is what ultimately determines our choices. Even if you want a better, more expensive model, if you can’t afford it, you won’t buy it.
Think about how much you want to spend on your serger before scavenging the market. There are tons of price ranges to choose from. But keep one thing in mind: as a beginner, there’s no need to go for more expensive models that offer tons and tons of features. These are made for professionals that require these expert level-features on a daily basis.
For most beginners, a decent serger with a few great features should get the job done and save you a lot of time and money. Find the right balance between price and features and you’ll have the perfect serger for you.
3. Fabric feed
If you’ve never tried twists and ruffles to your product before, you definitely should. You’ll love them and they’ll help you enjoy sewing even more. But in order to do that, you need a serger that offers differential fabric feed. This lets you create stylish edges with different fabrics. You’ll find that many of the sergers on this list come with the differential fabric feed feature.
4. Accessories
Doesn’t it feel nice when you buy something and it comes with a whole bunch of free stuff or accessories? Not only does it feel good, but it saves you a lot of money because you won’t have to buy the accessories later on. Look for sergers that come with useful accessories that can allow you to try cool new techniques.
Our Selection Criteria for the Best Sergers for Beginners
We’ve gone through tons and tons of models on the market looking for ones that are reliable, easy to use, and offer features that are beginner-friendly. Here’s what we’ve come up with:
Top 5 Best Sergers for Beginners – Reviews
1. Brother 1034D 3/4 Thread Serger
First up is the brother Brother 1034D 3/4 Thread Serger. This reliable and premium-grade machine delivers expert edge finishing on all kinds of fabrics. Whether we’re dealing with knits, linens, or old-fashioned formal wear, this machine can get the job done. This serger is perfect for making decorative edges like ruffles and gathers, guaranteeing your end product will look perfect.
With the Brother 1034D, you can join laces, sew narrow sleeves, and even fix those tiny little spaghetti straps you love. It comes with 22 stitch functions that enable you to make bridal wears, home décor items, and crafts. Whether we’re dealing with thin fabrics, knits, or sketchy ones, this is the machine you want by your side. Its foot controller is smart, effective, and quite easy to use. You only need a few minutes to grasp how to use it. If you’re having trouble, you can always take a look at the video tutorial and printed pamphlets.
Features
22 stitch functions
Smart foot controller
Video tutorial
Instructional pamphlets
Pros
Includes several accessories such as tweezers, four spool nets, needle set, cleaning brush and trim trap
Highly efficient and fast
Includes 25-year warranty
Easy to operate
Great price
Cons
Doesn’t work well with stiff or thick fabrics
Can’t be used in countries that don’t have 120V AC
You have to oil it before the first use
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, extremely reliable serger for beginners, this is a perfect choice for you.
2. SINGER 14CG754
Feeling like a pro? Well, with this serger, you can be. Thanks to its 4-3-2 thread capability, you’ve got a broad array of stitch options for all your professional-level projects. Save time by going through your hems, seams, and their finishing quickly, in a matter of minutes. If you’re particularly interested in coverstitch, this model is probably the best one on this list to get the job done.
Features
Coverstitch
Easily adjustable stitch length and width
Differential fabric feed
Color-coded threading techniques
Handle for easy carrying
Automatic fabric trimming feature
All-purpose foot controller
Instructional manual
Pros
Portable
Easy to operate
Includes several accessories
Excellent performance
Cons
Doesn’t work so well with thick fibers
The included instructional DVD video is in low resolution
Our Verdict
If you’re particularly interested in coverstitch and looking for a great serger to get the job done, you should consider this model.
3. SINGER 14SH764CL Stylist Serger Portable Sewing Machine
The SINGER 14SH764CL is one of the best models you can find on the market when it comes to 4-3-2 stitch functionality. It supports up to 6 different stitch types that help you get that perfect finish every time. You can choose between rolled hems, blind hems, flat locking, or overlocking stitches, and so much more.
Features
Differential fabric feed (helps smoothen any stretching and puckering fabric)
Changeable stitch length and width
6 different stitch types
Color-coded threading system
Heavy metal body
Stainless steel bed plate for smooth fabric feed
Pros
Easy to transport and carry (lightweight)
Lots of accessories included
Differential fabric feed
Cons
Doesn’t work so well with thicker fibers
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for the best serger that offers 4-3-2 stitch functionality, look no further.
4. Brother Designio Series DZ1234 Serger
Here’s yet another great serger from Brother that is extremely easy to use and perfect for beginners. Not only is it extremely reliable and makes sewing a breeze, but it also saves lots of time allowing you to work on several projects at a time.
Features
Color-coded threading feature
Gathering Foot, Piping Foot, and Blind Hem Stitch Foot features
Differential fabric feed with 0.7-2.0 ratio for many fabrics
2 sets of starter threads
Works great with lightweight knitwear for winter
Adjustable stitch width (3.0 mm to 7.0 mm)
Free arm for stitching continuous or cylindrical paths of fabric such as collars and sleeves
Pros
Color coding makes threading of the machine much easier and helps you keep track of individual threads
Differential fabric feed
Lightweight and portable
Affordable
Comes with quite a few accessories
Cons
It might be a bit difficult for new users to understand it at first
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a great serger for beginners that also offers tons of cool features like Gathering Foot, Piping Foot, and Blind Hem Stitch Foot, this is a great choice to consider.
5. SINGER Sewing Machine 14J250 Stylist II Serger Overlock Machine
SINGER never ceases to amaze us with yet another great serger for beginners. This model, in particular, offers a lot of handy features that can help you get the perfect end product you’ve been looking for.
Features
4-3-2 thread feature
Color-coded technology
A large number of creative stitching options
Needle Threader and Wide Open Threading featuresÂ
Differential fabric feed
Cutting Width Gauge which helps you make sure your fabric is cut and sewn evenly and smoothly
Robust and durable build, despite being so lightweight
110V compatibility
Pros
Quick turnaround time (up to 1300 stitches/minute)
Constant sewing speed thanks to its electronic speed control feature
Portable
Easy to operate
Cons
The device might vibrate a bit while being used
Can’t be used in countries that do not support 110 V power
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a great serger for beginners that offers features like Needle Threader, Wide Open Threading, and Cutting Width Gauge, this model from SINGER is a great choice to consider. Â
6. SINGER 14SH6540 Differential-Feed Serger Sewing Machine
Here’s yet another amazing machine that can help you achieve the perfect finishing that you’re looking for. Here are the best features this model from SINGER has to offer:
Features
4-3 stitch configuration
Differential feed
Allows you to create ruffles and sew knits on lightweight winter wear
Comes with 2 needles
Lets you apply up to 6 stitches with 3-4 different threads
Great for trimming and overcasting fabrics
Color-coded feature
Adjustable tension and stitch length (2-4mm) and stitch width (3-6.7mm)
Allows free-arm sewing
Pros
Tons of accessories are included
Works well with light-knitted fabrics, as well
Portable
Supports flatlock stitches for embellishments on fabrics
Cons
Doesn’t work in countries which do not support 110 Volt
Not great for thick and heavy fabrics
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a reliable serger that offers 4-3 stitch configuration along with differential feed, this is a great model to consider.
7. SINGER 14T968DC Professional 5 5-4-3-2 Thread Capability Serger
Being a beginner doesn’t mean you have to stick to only one type of project. You can take on all the challenges you want, but only if you have a good serger by your side. The SINGER 14T968DC is definitely a good choice.
Features
5-4-3-2 thread capability
Changeable tension system
Adjustable cutting width
Different decorative flat locking features
CD manual
Pros
Rolled hems are built-in
Automatic tension control
Adjustable stitch and length width
Various stitch types are supported
Expert finishing
Portable metal body
Various accessories
Cons
Expensive
Some customers have complained that some instructions in the manual are a bit vague
Some components are made of plastic and are somewhat fragile
Our Verdict
This model is a great choice for anyone who wants a serger with 5-4-3-2 thread capability.
8. JUKI MO644D Portable Serger
Next up on this list is the JUKI MO644D. This is one of the most reliable models on the market and it’s extremely easy to use, especially for beginners.
Features
2-3-4 threading capabilities
Adjustable stitch length and width
Knob for adjusting foot pressure
Works great on lightweight and medium-weight fabrics without trembling or jerking
A powerful knife that cuts through fabrics
Pros
Can reach an impressive stitching speed of up to 1500 stitches/minute
Has the ability to create rolled hems easily
Adjustable stitch length and width
Cons
Not great for very thick and heavy materials
Free arm stitching is not possible
Our Verdict
The JUKI MO644D is a great serger for anyone who wants 2-3-4 threading capabilities.
9. Janome 8002D Serger
Despite being made for beginners, this serger has surprisingly high ratings by experts. Thanks to its unique threading technique, the Janome 8002D has become a fan favorite on all accounts.
Features
Robust, quick, and effective stitches
3-4 thread stitches of high precision
Built-in rolled hem feature (you don’t need to change the plate)
Color-coded technology
Presser foot lifter and electronic foot
As noiseless as possible
Pros
Compact size, but extremely efficient and versatile (serves several purposes)
Comes with a ton of accessories such as tweezers, screwdriver, and needles.
Works well with thin and medium-thickness fabrics
Extremely simple and beginner-friendly
Cons
Some new users find threading difficult at first
You can use only HA-ISP #11 – 14 needles with this machine
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a serger that offers a rolled hem feature, then look no further. This model from Janome is the perfect, fan-loved and expert-approved choice.
10. Juki MO-50E Serger
Last, but certainly not least, is the Juki MO-50E. Without a shred of doubt, this is the best serger in its price range. It offers a plethora of features that are usually found in much more expensive models.
Features
3-thread flatlock
3-thread overlock
Three-thread narrow overlock
Four-thread overlock
Calibrated knife adjustment
Differential fabric feed
Rolled hem feature
Adjustable stitch width, length, and knife level
Pros
Offers a lot of handy features
Affordable price
Portable
Cons
Threader jam occurs under foot presser
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a serger that’s at the top of its game, something that offers features like no other, then you can’t go wrong with the Juki MO-50E.
The Best Overall among the 10 Best Sergers for Beginners
The best overall is definitely the Juki MO-50E Serger. The number of features it has to offer and the expert-level finishing make it our pick for the best serger on this list.
Best 10 Sergers for Beginners – Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my serger?
Generally speaking, you should clean your serger after completing each project. However, if you’re working on large-scale projects that involve quite a bit of lint, you might need to clean it several times throughout the process.
Vacuum cleaners and hair dryers are handy tools that can help you.
Can I learn to sew with a serger?
Normally, you’d find that sergers are more difficult than regular sewing machines. But if you use a serger specifically designed for beginners, you can learn to sew quite easily.
Final Verdict
By now, you probably have a good idea of the kind of serger you want. You know what to look for, you have a few tips for choosing the right one, and you’ve seen the best sergers on the market.
All that’s left is for you to pick out a serger, perhaps even one from this very list, and let its amazing finishing blow you away.