A serger is a type of sewing machine that finishes hems and other edging. For more information on sergers, you can look on sewing and craft sites such as Make it Handmade, or visit stores that carry these items such as Hobby Lobby or Walmart,
You use a serger to hold down seams.
You can find these machines used or new. The most readily available location for purchasing these currently is amazon. The Brother 1034D is a very commonly used Serger.
Any type of garment can be sewn together using a Brother Serger machine, but linens, expensive formal fabrics and fabric with stretch really benefit from a Serger. Sewing with a Brother Serger allows you to make cleaner-looking seams and hems.
Serged stitching is the kind of stitching you find on the inside seams of ready-to-wear garments. This stitching is done on a machine called a "serger". A serger is threaded with 2, 3, or 4 threads at once. It sews, binds, and trims all at the same time.
Sewing with Nancy - 1983 Serger Crochet was released on: USA: 23 September 2007
It was during the 1980's I am certain. I got my Master's degree in fashion design. The only sergers that were available at that time for the home-sew market was a homely little serger made by Babylock. People that had them liked them. None of my fellow grads students had one, but we were all interested. The first serger that I bought was a White 534 in 1987. (I still have the receipt and I still have the serger. It works great!) I remember that it had been out a little while before that. I can't remember how long. It was listed as the best serger on the market in consumer reports for something like 15-20 years. The 534 was the first easy to thread serger for the home market and was definitely that top serger of its time. Mine will not stop. It is amazing!
Made in Taiwan.
Normally, you don't find loopers in a sewing machine but on a serger or overlock machine. They bind the edges of a seam to finish it off.
Simplicity
A Baby Lock Serger is a sewing machine sometimes known as an "overlocker". These machines actually trim the edge of the fabric as they stitch giving a professional finish.
It is self-lubricating
A serger machine will sew your seam, trim the raw edge, and finish the raw edge in one step. The end result will be the type of seam you find inside a ready-made or store bought garment. See related links for more details.