Dictionary

serger en · NOUN

Etymology

From serge + -er.

Meanings

1. A type of sewing machine designed to produce an overlock stitch and to cut the fabric as it stitches.
   • If you have a serger, you can use it to finish fabric edges so they don't ravel, but the zigzag stitch on your regular machine works well, too. 2008, Madlyn Easley, Quick and Easy Window Treatments: 15 Easy-Sew Projects that Build Skills, Too, page 20:
   • If using a serger instead of a sewing machine, remember to eliminate or otherwise take into account the seam allowances given to each pattern, or you may end up with a larger pillow than expected.[…]Sergers, which create a series of overlapping stitches on the actual edge of the fabric, cutting away the excess, do not require seam allowances. 2008, Shannon Okey, The Pillow Book: Over 25 Simple-to-Sew Patterns for Every Room and Every Mood, page 31:
   • With that, Mikhail sat down to place spools of thread on the serger, studying the directions and clearly dismissing her. 2010, Cait London, Instinctive Male, page 158:

Forms

Relateds

serge

Synonyms

overlock machine (type of sewing machine)