If you are an experienced sewer, then you know what a serger is and does. However, if you are new to the sewing world, you may not know very much about sergers. Sergers are not the same as sewing machines. Sergers usually use anywhere from one to five different threads at once. You must actually insert each thread individually through its correct path on the machine all the way down and through to the hole in the needle.

The best way to give you a visual image of what a serger does is to tell you to turn your shirt inside out or to lift up the edges and take a look at them. If the inside edge of your shirt has several threads looped around it, then a serger was used. Sergers are ideal for creating a professional looking edge on your sewing projects. The good serger machines will also cut away the excess fabric along the seam allowance as you sew.

Some only use a serger machine for creating nice, finished edges, but they do not have to be limited to one task, by any means. You can also use a serger for decorative stitching that will show on the outside of the garments you make. They make excellent, decorative edges on custom designed purses and hats, for example.

Not all sergers will work the same or create the same type of quality finish. It is important to do a little research on the various brands and models before deciding on your purchase. Some serger machines are much pricier than others, but the best bargain is not always the best deal. You may also want to consider other aspects, such as the type of sewing you do, how much sewing you do and if will you want to use the serger for a variety of purposes.