Reference Publications

JOYS OF SELECTING A SERGER, THE

What's New, Nov/Dec 2002 by Brown, Gail

Sergers are wonderful additions to any Family and Consumer Sciences sewing lab classes. These machines take sewing to the next level of professionalism, finishing seams with the neat edging found on ready-to-wear garments. Selecting the right serger for your classroom is the first important step to introducing your students to this exciting tool. Here are some practical tips to get you started.

The Serger-User Profile

It is recommended that you determine how frequently and for what purposes you plan to use your serger. If your classroom projects call mostly for occasionally fast-finish and seam projects, a basic, no-frills serger may suit your needs. If you want to be more creative and experiment with stitches and the newest decorative threads, you should opt for a full-featured model. Keep in mind the daily wear and tear on sergers found in the classroom, and look for a model that will withstand vigorous daily use.

Shopping Options

What follows are considerations when shopping for a serger:

Sewing Machine Dealers: A good dealer can offer advice, new and used sales, repairs and supplies, classes and clubs. You can find these dealers in the "Sewing Machines - Household" category in the Yellow Pages.

Fabric and Department Stores: Increasingly, fabric chain stores are offering sergers. Also, some dealers set up independent departments within fabric stores.

Mass-Merchandisers: Penney's, Sears and Spiegel, for example, sell and sometimes rebrand sergers for sale in stores and catalogs. Sergers in these stores are usually affordably priced and can be bought with revolving credit plans.

Discount Retailers: CostCo, Price Club and WalMart, for example, offer good prices. But, you may not want to purchase from a discount retailer unless you feel comfortable with maintaining the serger on your own. For sergers bought from a discount retailer, warranties may be valid only if the product is shipped back to the manufacturer for repairs.

Mail-Order Specialists: This is the most convenient option, but make sure you clarify return, warranty and service policies before buying a product with a major credit card. Also, make sure your source is an authorized dealer for the brands it offers.

No matter which of these options you choose, take any prospective serger for a test-drive. Many dealers and retailers encourage test-serging, preferably during non-peak store hours. For the most valid testing, bring samples of your favorite fabrics and threads. If test-serging is not allowed, you should always buy a product with a return guarantee.

Never let price be your only criterion for selecting a serger. It may be wiser to pay more for a serger sold by a reliable, service-oriented dealer. Before actually buying a serger, get information about the company's grace period for upgrades and repairs policy. If shipping is required, find out whether you are responsible for the charges.

By following these tips, your school can get the most value for their money while getting a serger that will truly expand and enhance any classroom sewing project.