Serger/sewing machine combo
 

I was wondering if anyone here on QB has a serger/sewing machine combo? In case you don't know what I'm talking about it is one machine that has both sewing capabilities in one housing unit. I saw it once and I've always wondered if anyone has a working one and how do they like it? Hope someone will be able to offer some info. Thanks

I've heard of combination serger/coverstitch machines, but not serger/sewing machines.

My sewing machine has a stitch that kind of looks like serging but it is done with one needle, is much slower and doesn't trim any fabric when stitching. Never heard of a serger/sewing machine combo. Would be interesting to see what one looked like!

I bought an attachment for my old Bernina that turns it into a serger. It works fine, but is not nearly as fast as a real serger. Haven't touched that attachment since I got a serger.

Are talking about sewing machines that come with a presser foot to mimic a serger? I was watching HSN a few years ago, and they demoed the presser foot on the sewing machine. It was not a sewing machine/serger combo, it was a presser foot that you used with a special stitch on that machine.

I also have never seen a combo sewing machine/serger. HOWEVER, a lot of lower-end sewing machines are advertised this way. They are just a sewing machine that comes with a "serger attachment". This is not the same as having a serger. Some differences: (1) sergers sew many stitches per minute, sewing machines much slower, (2) I'm pretty sure the serger attachment does not have the capability of cutting the fabric as you sew the way a serger does; it assumes you are just sewing on the edge of the fabric, (3) the sewing machine uses a zigzag stitch on the edge; this is not the same as the different edge-covering stitches made with a serger, (4) most sergers have what's called "differential feed" which allows you to adjust so knitted fabrics do not stretch while you sew; sewing machines do not have this feature.

In short, it's a marketing gimmick. Very few people who get this attachment with a sewing machine ever use it after trying it out, as it just doesn't do much. A serger does a lot more.

I know the machine you're talking about, it's a Janome Combi DX and there are threads here about it if you do a search. It's only a two thread serger and sewing machine combo. The problem is that a two thread serger is very limited to basically only doing a finished seam type edge. And most sewing machines can do that on their own if you do an overcasting type stitch. Google the machine I listed to find out more info.

There are feet that cut as they mimic the serger stitch they are valled side cutter and it is a lot slower. For those without sergers it is a nice option to have. But there is also another foot called the overcast foot that does the same thing without cutting the fabric

a friend has a singer and it has the attachment for sergering.