A method of finishing fabric edges using an overlock machine that simultaneously trims, encases, and stitches the edge to prevent fraying. Serging creates a professional, durable finish commonly seen in ready-to-wear garments.
From 'serge', a type of twilled fabric, because early overlock machines were primarily used to finish the edges of serge and similar fabrics. The term expanded to describe the stitching technique itself by the mid-20th century.
Serging revolutionized garment manufacturing because it could finish edges in one pass, dramatically speeding up production. Home sewers initially resisted sergers because the stitches couldn't be easily removed, but once they mastered the technique, many found it indispensable for professional-looking results!
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