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Sewing Machine vs. Serger vs. Cover Hem Machine: A Guide

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crafterhours sewing serger machine comparison

After Susan posted on Wednesday about her cover hem machine, there were some follow-up questions and comments that we thought we might as well expand upon in a new post.

We thought we’d answer these questions in two segments.  First, we’ll explain what each sewing machine does, then we’ll talk about when it would be appropriate to purchase each one.  And this discussion will be done in the most informative way possible, so if you’re looking for a dose of humor, skip along.

So, to answer the first question, “What does each machine do?” let’s go way back to the basics.  We’re not trying to insult anyone’s intelligence here, but we do hope that this will be a useful post for people just starting out.

First, a sewing machine.

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This one is obvious.  It produces a stitch that holds two fabrics together.  When you look at the wrong side of the seam though, you’ll see these pesky little leftover bits called seam allowances:

The problem with seam allowances is that most fabrics will fray at the edges.  At best, you’ll be left with something that constantly has strings hanging out, and at worst, the edge of your seam allowance will fray all the way to the stitchline and your garment will fall apart.  So, something needs to be done.  Now, there are many many ways of dealing with seam allowances, but I’ll just mention the two simplest methods.
First, you could use pinking shears to cut the seam allowance.  The zig zag cut that it produces interrupts the fraying process because the individual threads of the fabric can no longer be pulled off in a straight line.
Second, you can zig zag stitch the edge, which produces another barrier to the fraying.  Here is an example of both:
As you can see though, neither of these methods is ideal.  They’ll save your garment from falling apart, but you’ll still have annoying threads and some fraying at the edges, and of course it just isn’t pretty.  Which may not be a consideration for most home sewists, but is definitely something to consider if you’re going to be giving handmade items as gifts or trying to sell them.
Enter the serger.
In dealing specifically with the problem of seam allowances, a serger is a “finishing” tool.  First, the serger’s knife cuts a clean edge on the fabric, and then it’s multiple threads (depending on the machine, you can use 3, 4, or 5 threads) wrap around the raw edge of the fabric, enclosing it and ensuring it won’t fray.  The result is a seam that is “prettier” and lays flat, shown below on the right.  Sergers can also produce a very narrow rolled hem, as seen on the left.
Most home sewists start out sewing with woven fabrics, and a serger is an excellent way to deal with the seam allowances.  First, you’ll construct the item using a sewing machine, then finish the seam allowances using a serger, as you can see by the two lines of stitching below.
But let’s move beyond finishing seam allowances and discuss construction.  Take a look at the side seam on a t-shirt.  It was most likely sewn together with just a serger.  This is a great option if you are working with knits.  In fact, the main difference between a seam sewn with a sewing machine vs. a serger is that a serged seam will stretch.  A straight stitch from a sewing machine will not stretch.  When putting on a fitted knit shirt, you’ll see that it’s necessary to stretch the seams a bit.  If those seams are done with a straight stitch on a sewing machine, the thread will break and your garment will fall apart.
So using a serger, the construction and the finishing are all done in one handy, stretchy seam:
So, now we’ve discussed dealing with the internal construction and seam allowances, but what about when it comes time to hem?  Well, when using a woven fabric, most likely you’ll do a standard double-fold hem with your sewing machine.   That way the raw edge of fabric is tucked up neatly inside the hem and won’t show or fray.  But when using knits, a double-fold hem isn’t ideal.  It’s bulky, it leads to bubbling, and it’s also not necessary because knits do not fray.  Also, as previously mentioned, the hems need to be able to stretch a bit.
You can hem using a serger.  It will look like this (and as you can see, it’ll tend to roll up):
This option is fine if you’re going for a raw, deconstructed look.  Or, if you’re using a rolled serged edge to produce a lettuce effect, like this:
And of course, you could stitch the edge with a serger, then fold it up once and stitch it down with a sewing machine.  This is fine for wovens if you don’t feel like doing a double fold hem.  But again, remember that it won’t stretch, and thus is not an ideal hem for fitted knit shirts.
If you’ll look at the hem of your shirt, either at the waist or the sleeve, you’ll see that it looks much neater with a simple double stitch, and it can stretch.  And this stitch can only be done with a Cover hem machine.
The reason a serger cannot produce this stitch is because it has those knives that cut off the edge of the fabric as you stitch.  A cover hem works more like a sewing machine in that it just stitches through layers of fabric without cutting.
You can refer to Susan’s previous post showing all the different coverhem stitches, but the most common that you’ll see is this one.  Two lines of stitching on the outside of the hem:
And chain stitching on the inside:
Also, as you’ll notice from the above picture, a knit hem is only folded once.
If you look at the neck band of a normal shirt, you’ll also see the cover hem stitch in use.  The neck binding is applied to the shirt by folding it under and topstitching it down on the top of the shirt:
And the inside of the shirt will reveal no fold, just an edge tacked down with the resulting chain stitch:
So, those are just the most basic operations of a sewing machine, serger, and cover hem machine.  Obviously there are lots of different options and features in each machine to do all kinds of fancy things.
And of course, there are speciality feet, stitches, and techniques for regular sewing machines that will help you emulate the stitches that can be performed by a serger or coverhem.  Adrianna discusses them briefly in her Ringer Shirt tutorial.  But basically they are just cheater methods to help you if you don’t own a serger or coverhem machine.
But like any cheater method, they’re not ideal.  Which leads us to segment 2 of this discussion:  When is it appropriate to buy each machine?
Obviously the first thing a home sewists needs is a sewing machine.  In fact, if you’re not a garment sewist, you’re probably never going to need anything else.  When making quilts, bags, curtains, etc, you’re always going to be encasing the raw edges.
After that, and given the capabilities of each machine that we’ve already discussed, the question becomes: What’s harder to do?  Deal with seam allowances or hemming?  And, in our opinion, the answer is definitely dealing with seam allowances.  There are many techniques to deal with hemming without a coverhem machine.  But there is nothing a sewing machine can do to equal the seam allowance finishing and stretch stitch provided by a serger.
So, to answer the question of what you should buy in which order, our answer is:
1. Sewing machine
2. Serger
3. Cover hem
(obviously we’re strictly talking about features and capabilities of each machine here, not the considerable topic of finances.)
And of course, we’d both like to mention that the machine you should buy before any of these is this one:
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So, there’s our not-so-brief discussion about helpful machines for the home sewist.  Hope that answered more questions than it raised.  Please continue to direct any confusion our way (crafterhours at live dot com).

Comments

  1. If you are in the market for both a serger and coverstitch, try Bernina or Viking as they both make a serger that has the cover stitch option. They are a little more complicated to operate, but not much, and they usually come with classes, and instructional videos that help a lot. I own a 5 thread Bernina, which can do a triple top stitch, I don’t use that stitch often, but the option is nice. I mostly use the double top stitch, and I use it on everything!! I also love the rolled hem feature, it is so much cleaner and faster to use than the one on a sewing machine. I use my serger just as much as my sewing machine!!

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    • I have a viking serger with a cover hem feature, and it has NEVER worked right. You can’t sew over pins, otherwise it skips stitches. I can never get the tension correct so the underside is neat and flat – either the stitches are too loopy or too tight. I have taken this machine in for repair on this feature a gazillion times – it works once (maybe) and then that’s it. I have a sewing business, and I can’t go without using a cover hem.

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  2. My husband actually just surprised me with a cover stitch machine yesterday. A while back, I started doing hemming and other little odd jobs to save up money for a combination serger/cover stitch machine, with the intent of selling my (very) old regular serger, but after thinking about it, I decided a dedicated machine for cover stitch would be more practical. Can’t wait for the kids to go to bed tonight so I can start to play!

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  6. Great post! That really helps me to understand the options. I’ve been dreaming of a serger- and since we have to get a new water heater this week, I guess I’ll keep on dreaming, ha!

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  8. thank you thank you thank you! I’ve been trying to explain all this to my husband for ages since he just doesn’t get why I want/need a serger and what the difference is between that and a regular machine. You gals have explained it so much better than I can – I just sent him the link to this post, who knows, maybe I’ll finally get one now!

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  9. thank you, i love this post. most of it i already knew, but hadnt put together. i just sewed up some knit footie pjs for my 9 month old yesterday and used my zigzag on my sewing machine for the whole thing when i really should have gone upstairs and used the serger! (which i use all the time for finishing seam allowance, and completely forgot about for sewing with knits. guh.) so thanks! (and also, i would LOVE a cover stitch machine. ive explained it to my husband in terms of screwdrivers. they all do something similar, but one cant do the job nearly as well as a whole set!)

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  11. You guys are the best!! I’m so glad you did this post – it is exactly what I needed.
    I don’t have the funds for a super fancy expensive machine but I think a starter serger is next on my purchase list! Thanks for the help!!

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  12. I can’t believe you got a coverhem machine!! Drooling!!
    Although I think I’d more likely spring for embroidery machine before I finally got a coverhem – I don’t mind serging/hemming… :) But that sure is cool.
    Nice to see you talking about something other than silhouette for a change. Heh. :)

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  13. Thank you for the post! I have just recently started sewing on a more “serious” level, and have been wondering about what comes next–serger or coverhem (or both?). Now we just need a larger place to put all of them…

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  14. My dad gave me a singer quantumlock for Christmas this year and it is awesome! It has a switch plate that hides the blades for coverstitch options. I love it but it is clearly the most sophisticated technology in our home at present. I think it would be a better investment than buying two machines?

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  15. Bless you for this post. I have a serger sitting here that was a gift from my mom and I had no idea what to do with it!! I’ve been scared to even try to thread it or turn it on. Now that I have an inkling why I needed it in the first place, I can’t wait to give it a try. Thanks for the super helpful post!

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  17. Thanks so much for this information… I have a serger and when I was buying it the lady in the store was showing me how you can turn some knobs and levers and the cutter is not in use.. I was thinking when on earth would I want to use the serger and not use the cutter! Now I know. I will have to have a play with it .. Thanks so much

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  18. I am in the market for both a new sewing machine and a new serger. I currently have a Brother sewing machine and a Babylock serger that needs a new motor. I never really got to use the serger. I got it when my grandmother passed away and when I used it for the first time the motor started making funny noises, which we know is never a good thing!

    Because I need to replace both at the same time, my budget is more limited than normal. What brands do you recommend? I’m very tempted to get the Project Runway edition Singer that Walmart currently has but have been hearing lots of negative comments about Singer lately.

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  19. Megan,
    Susan’s had great luck with both her Brother sewing machine and serger (you can find them under “stuff we use” at the top of our blog). The Brother serger is probably the best one on the market right now at it’s price level, considering the level of support you’ll have (because everyone has one!). Janome also makes a few lower priced sewing machines that have great reviews and are worth looking into. Just make sure you think about what features you cannot live without, and stick to that. As a recent new owner of a Bernina sewing machine though, I have to say consider the investment, how much you’ll use it, and how long it will last you, and you might just be willing to wait a bit or cut costs elsewhere in order to buy a nicer machine. It’s like driving a lexus vs. a motorized scooter :) I got my Bernina used, so that is also an option. Check with your local Bernina retailer, as they don’t sell them online or out of state. Good luck!

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  20. Huh. Guess I’m the only guy who purchased a serger for myself and had to explain why I needed it to my wife. I got a Singer 14U52a off craigslist for thirty bucks. Had to buy some needles, blades, and a replacement threader but I’m still in less than a hundred dollars. Just finished making my son and I footed pajamas. Very cool. Garment construction is way faster. This article fails to mention that most sergers can churn out 1500 stitches per minute.

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  23. just found this as i’m researching buying my first overlocker but then i came across “coverhem” and was like omg do i need to consider that instead?? but no, this post has shed some light on my dilema thanks <3

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  25. Hi there! What is the best serger for rolled hems? I make cloth napkins, sometimes 200 hundred a day and currently have a few juki machines, that I love. I should probably get an industrial one, but am nervous since the nearest repair shop is over an hour away. He is expensive and takes a long time. So I am thinking about buying a step below an industrial machine. Any suggestions?
    Thanks!!

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    • I don’t know we’re the best people to answer which is best. Adrianna had a refurb Janome that was not the easiest to work with, and now we both have the Brother 1034D which works well. Afraid that’s all we’ve got! Asking people for sewing machine recommendations is a lot like asking what kind of car you should buy. Lots and lots of opinions and everyone’s perspectives are different. I do know that I’d buy the 1034D again. Beyond that, I’m sure you’ll find a million other viewpoints online. Good luck!

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  26. I haven’t sewn for many years and I’m anxious to start on projects again. Let me start by saying I’ve never owned a serger (or even seen one close up). But they sound amazing. I currently don’t even own a sewing machine.

    I will just be making clothing and most if it stretch knits. There will be the occasional hemming pants & shirt sleeves for my husband. Could I do all of this with just a serger/cover hem combo machine or should I have a basic sewing machine also?

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    • Hi Margie! I haven’t tried a combo machine myself– my sewing table has a regular machine, a serger and a cover hem and I jump from one to the other. I’ve hear they’re pretty expensive and I’ve heard some say they’re a pain to convert. And others say they’re not. So, what I have in that area is hearsay. I think that in theory you couuuuuuuld, but given the relative inexpensiveness of a basic machine (mine is currently about $150 on Amazon and includes a walking foot you could use on knits and a blind hem foot among other feet) I’d still say that’s the place to start. I think at times with only a serger/coverhem you could tear your hair out trying to get the finish you’re looking for. That’s my 2 cents. Adrianna might pop in with her 5 cents – she sews about 50 times more than I do.

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  29. Very good article but now I want all of them. Love the comparison to screwdrivers, I’ll have to use that arguement on my better half

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  30. For years I wondered how do they do the type of stitching and finishing I always see on swimwear and underwear, as I’ve been thinking of giving a shot at attempting to make some myself. This post has finally explained it all clearly how to get there. I need to surf the learning curve all the way up to the cover stitch machine. Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

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  31. Thank you for the explanation about all three type of sewing machines. I am a beginner who is about to start to learn and wanted to understand how these work individually. Now I understand the cover hem machine, I appreciate the breakdown.

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  33. Thanks for this post. Do you have any experience or hearsay about using a serger versus the side cutter attachment on a sewing machine? Thanks

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    • I haven’t tried the side cutter on a sewing machine, but knowing what I do of each machine I can say that the serger is faaaaaaaast. I also really appreciate being able to hop back and forth between the two rather than changing feet and settings. As with everything else involved with choosing machines, it depends on how much and what you sew — but the serger really upped my productivity.

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      • Thanks Susan and good points. As space is a consideration for me I might try the side cutter first and see if it meets my needs.

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  34. So if I’m looking to do some sewing, serging, and cover hemming which one or two should I get? Do I need all three? Especially if I want to possibly sell?

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    • If you’re looking to sell I’d go with sewing and serging. The cover hem is lots of fun, but if you want the look you can achieve it with a regular sewing machine with a little time and attention. A serger is so different from a sewing machine that you wouldn’t know you need it until you try it. A cover hem kind of creeps up and taps on your shoulder to say “hey, look at all that you have to do and no time to do it, I could help you do all of that faster.” I bought the cover hem mostly because I’m a gadget addict and I love to see how things work for myself. If you’re ramping up I’d hold off on that one. There are some (not inexpensive) machines that convert between the two tasks – I didn’t go that route because of cost, but I’ve also read a lot of reviews that said it’s a big pain to switch between the uses so folks just tend not to do it. Now, if you need documentation, say, for a spouse or business partner’s buy-in… e-mail me and I’ll write that YOU NEED IT. I’m happy to help a sister out. :)

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  35. Where can I get and what type machine is the Cover Hem stitch machine.? I have a brother serger, but you said because it cuts it won’t work. I’ve been dying to have a Cover Hem stitch machine. I would love to have a way to get one. Google search doesn’t bring it up.

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  36. This might be a dumb question – I’ve seen a couple sergers that say the knife is retractable – if you retracted the knife, would it work the same as a coverstitch machine?

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    • Nope, the overlock still sews along an edge, so even if you’re not cutting the edge as you sew you’re wrapping the threads around the fabric. Just a bit less neatly since you’ll be squeezing in whatever edge you’re feeding through instead of cutting a precise, even width of seam allowance as you go. When I do it it usually ends up looking a bit bunchy where the seam width is too wide, and if you overcompensate by going too narrow you have thread wrapping around not enough fabric and it looks sort of open weave and then the seams pull apart when you open them up to the right side.

      There are some machines that are convertible – generally higher end machines that you’d find in the sort of dealer shop where lessons and support are provided. Because I’d read reviews from users who’d said they found it difficult/cumbersome to make the conversion, I decided to go with dedicated separate machines so that I could keep them threaded and ready to use.

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  39. Thank you so much! I am European and never saw a serger till I came to the US 25 yrs. ago. In all that time I couldn’t find anyone who would explain what a serger does (people around me didn’t do sewing). Now that I know, I will likely buy one to complement my sewing machine. Once again, thank you!!!

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  41. Brother now make sergers where you can hide the knife (remove) for cover hem stitching. CazCraft Creations Ltd in Rolleston deals with Brother products and I am sure the owner will be happy to help.

    Reply

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