Shopping for a Serger

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An Online Extra to Threads magazine

Shopping for a Serger

Analyze your sewing needs, understand serger features, and prepare to test-drive

by Judith Neukam



	A serger will speed up your sewing and finish edges in a snap, but before you buy one, do your homework so you know what you're looking for. Use our handy Test-drive checklist to keep track of the machines you've examined.

If you're in the market for a new serger -- whether your first or as a replacement -- don't head to the store uninformed. Start by reading "What Kind of Serger Is Right for You?" in the August/September 2003 issue of Threads (#108), which provides guidelines to help you analyze your sewing needs, information about what various serger features can do for your sewing, and a comparison chart of 49 sergers currently available. You'll be able to start narrowing down the field to find a serger that will make your sewing faster, neater, and more efficient.

The test-drive: get ready, get swatch sets, go
For the most realistic assessment of how a serger will work for you, plan to test-sew the sort of fabrics you use most frequently. We recommend bringing along some stretch knits as well as a selection of woven fabrics. Assemble a set of representative swatches for each machine you want to try, and print out the Test-drive checklist as well. Sew (and label) samples, take notes, and then do your own comparison.

Judith Neukam is assistant editor of Threads.

Photo: Judith Neukam

An Online Extra to Threads #108
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