Serger Thread: Exploring Types and Uses

Sergers play a significant role in sewing projects, providing professional finishes and enhancing the durability of garments and crafts. However, achieving those flawless results requires more than just a reliable serger machine. The type of thread used in sergers is crucial to achieve optimal stitch quality and durability. In this guide, we’ll shine a light into the world of serger thread, explore the various available types, and supply you with our top recommendation.

Understanding Serger Thread

Serger thread is specially designed for serger machines and possesses unique characteristics that contribute to strong, durable, and professional finishes. Unlike regular sewing thread, serger thread is typically finer and smoother, which helps avoid bulkiness in the serged area. 

Serger thread is specifically formulated for the high-speed, multiple layers of the serging process. Serger thread comes in larger put-ups because more yardage is used while creating the serged edge.

Types of Serger Thread

Polyester Serger Thread

Polyester serger thread is widely popular due to its strength, durability, and resistance to stretching. It provides excellent stitch quality, making it suitable for a wide range of fabrics. Polyester thread works well with both natural and synthetic fibers, ensuring reliable and long-lasting seams. It is a versatile choice for garments, home decor projects, and general serging purposes. When it comes to seams that will endure heavier wear, polyester threads are elite in terms of colorfastness and strength.

Cotton Serger Thread

Cotton serger thread is often chosen for its natural fiber properties, which make it ideal for working with natural fiber fabrics like cotton, linen, and silk. It provides a softer finish and blends seamlessly with natural fibers, resulting in aesthetically pleasing and comfortable seams. Cotton thread is excellent for lightweight fabrics and projects that require breathability.

Wooly Nylon Serger Thread

Wooly nylon serger thread offers unique characteristics such as stretch and softness, making it suitable for sewing projects involving knits, swimwear, lingerie, and other stretchy fabrics. It provides elasticity to the seams, ensuring they can withstand the stretch and movement of the fabric without breaking. 

Wooly nylon thread poses a challenge due to its soft and fuzzy texture, which can make threading it through your serger more difficult. To overcome this, you may find it helpful to utilize a looper threader to guide the thread accurately.

Decorative Serger Thread

For those looking to add a touch of creativity and embellishment to their sewing projects, decorative serger threads are the way to go. Metallic and variegated threads can be used to create decorative edges, decorative rolled hems, or eye-catching accents. These threads come in various colors and textures, allowing you to personalize your projects and make them truly unique.

Choosing the Right Serger Thread

When selecting serger thread, consider factors such as fabric type, desired durability, color blending, and project requirements. Assess the thread's compatibility with the fabric weight and characteristics, ensuring it will provide the desired strength and finish. Experimentation and testing different thread types will help you determine the best serger thread for your specific projects.

Ensuring the use of high-quality thread is paramount for optimal stitching results. It's essential to avoid threads that generate excessive fuzz and lint, lead to tension problems, or possess low tensile strength resulting in frequent breakage.

Poly core thread, also referred to as core-spun or PP, is our top recommendation for serger thread. Spun from short polyester fibers known as staples, this thread type undergoes a twisting and spinning process to form a durable, continuous strand. The core-spun construction of this serger thread ensures exceptional quality and delivers a range of outstanding benefits.

When you choose poly core serger thread, you can expect remarkable strength and longevity. Its composition offers excellent resistance to abrasion, allowing your stitches to withstand the test of time.

Moreover, this thread type minimizes puckering, resulting in smoother and more professional-looking seams. The matte finish of poly core thread adds a touch of elegance to your projects, while the colors appear vibrant and vivid, making your serged-edge projects truly eye-catching.

With core-spun polyester thread, you can trust its reliability, strength, and versatility. It is suitable for a wide variety of fabrics and sewing applications, giving you the confidence to tackle various projects with ease.

Tips for Working with Serger Thread

To achieve the best results with serger thread, follow these tips:

• Adjust the tension settings on your serger according to the thread type being used.
• Invest in high-quality serger thread to minimize breakage and achieve consistent stitch quality. Avoid any fuzzy-looking thread if you don't want to spend precious time cleaning lint.
• Store serger thread properly to prevent tangling and maintain its integrity.
• Clean and maintain your serger regularly to ensure smooth operation with different thread types.
• Be aware that nylon thread can lose its color and melt at high temps 
• Cotton will produce more lint since it contains shorter fibers. We encourage you to clean your machine with canned or compressed air.

Choosing the right serger thread is a high priority if you want to create high-quality, durable projects that will last. Remember: Core spun serger thread is our top-notch recommendation for quality and reliability.

When you're ready to start sewing with your trusty serger machine, be sure to pick this exceptional thread in a color that goes perfectly with your fabric and project. 

As you embark on your creative serger journey, embrace it with confidence and style, knowing that you've got the ideal thread for the job. Your beautiful finished work will wow everyone with its professional look and durability.