Brother ST4031HDH Strong And Tough Serger
Last updated date: June 5, 2020
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We looked at the top Sergers and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Serger you should buy.
Overall Take
In our analysis of 55 expert reviews, the Brother Brother ST4031HDH Strong And Tough Serger placed 7th when we looked at the top 7 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.
Editor's Note June 11, 2020:
Checkout The Best Serger for a detailed review of all the top sergers.
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From The Manufacturer
Serge with confidence with the Strong and Tough Serger. Serge multiple layers of denim, layered knits, heavy-duty fabrics and even your lightweight silks with this heavy-duty Brother Serger. The ST4031HDH is a durable, heavy-duty serger that is made from high-quality metal inside and out. This is a 3 or 4 thread serger that allows users the flexibility to handle thick materials with ease, yet has the precision to work with lightweight fabrics. The Brother ST4031HDH includes a high-durability blade made from carbon steel that can cut a smooth, clean edge though multiple fabrics without hassle. The strong interior metal frame helps ensure your serger remains stable on your work surface, even at very high speeds. The wide, detachable table built into the ST4031HDH keeps heavy fabrics on a level surface with the needle, helping to prevent excess pulling on the needle and thread for better finishing. The Brother Serger allows you to get more serging done quicker by sewing up to 1,300 stitches per minute. To adjust the speed, simply apply less pressure on the foot controller to suit your individual comfort level. This serger works with either 3 or 4 threads for added flexibility. For example, 4 threads are useful for a strong overlock seam on woven material and 3 threads for overlock stitching on knits or suits. The color-coded guides printed on the machine show you exactly where to place each thread for trouble-free threading. The Brother ST4031HDH comes with large spools of serger thread, sewing feet, a soft cover, an accessory bag with a needle set, 4 thread spool caps, 4 thread nets, tweezers, a cleaning brush, a hexagonal driver, a trim trap, a foot controller pedal, an instructional DVD, and an instruction manual. Includes an extra serger elastic foot. The ST4031HDH is backed by a 25-year limited warranty with free technical phone support for the life of the product.
An Overview On Sergers
Whether you’re a novice sewer or an expert in your craft, it’s likely you’ve come across a serger. This is a specialized sewing machine which is designed to finish the edges of material. All in one step, a serger encloses the seam inside a casing of thread, providing a neat finished product. You can find sergers that have varying thread options. The number of threads your serger uses will affect the kinds of stitches you’re able to make.
A 2-4 thread serger provides a safety stitch, ideal for woven or knit fabrics. A 3-4 thread serger provides a much wider and stronger seam, plus they may also have a rolled-hem capability. On the other hand, a 5-thread serger offers a number of seam capabilities, including the kinds of seams you see on ready-made clothes. It can do both strong seams and seam finishes.
You may be wondering whether a serger can replace a sewing machine, or vice versa. The truth is that while you can complete projects without one or the other, in many cases both machines are required because they do different jobs. Both sewing machines and sergers are able to gather fabric, hem knits, do narrow rolled hems and piping. However, sergers are not standalone machines that can do important tasks such as buttonholes, zippers, top-stitching and facings, for which you’ll still need a sewing machine.
A serger ensures that the insides of the items you sew are neat and will not unravel. The seams that a serger sews provide a lot of strength, which are ideal for children’s clothing and other items where durability is key.
DWYM Fun Fact
While having a sewing machine is vital for many different kinds of projects, there are some projects that you can actually complete by just using your serger. A fleece blanket is a great beginner project for those who are just getting started on a serger. Fleece is an easy material to work with and is highly forgiving if you make a stitching mistake. You can make fleece blankets in multiple sizes, from crib to king.
Infinity scarves are a fashion trend that’s here to stay. This versatile accessory can be made from sheer or knit fabric, and is a good first project for your serger. If you want to practice your serging skills, also consider making a table runner. This is a great way to add style to your dining table while learning the ins and outs of your new machine.
The Serger Buying Guide
- The most important element to consider when buying a serger is the amount of experience you have sewing. Typically, sergers are best for intermediate or advanced sewers who are comfortable around a regular sewing machine. If you’re new to sergers and new to sewing, opt for a basic model with the foundational features, which will be enough to complete the type of projects you’re working on.
- The basic functions you want to ensure your serger has include color-coded threading and adjustable thread tensions. A detailed threading guide makes it easy to get the job done, while adjustable tensioning enables you to create a much smoother line.
- Also look at the differential feed, which is one of the key features on a serger. This helps to make sure that knits and other stretchy fabrics don’t bunch up or stretch while being serged. You can also use this feature to sew lettuce edges and ruffles with the serger.
- Take a look at what tools come with the serger, because many of these are necessary for a lot of projects. You may need a heavy-duty knife, tweezers, needles, spreader and screwdrivers.
- Having a visual instruction booklet or video is key for many shoppers. This way, you can learn exactly how to start using your serger and trouble shoot any issues you come up against.
- If speed is a factor that’s important, take a look at the stitches per minute metric. Many sergers can sew over 1,000 stitches per minute, helping you complete your projects at a much faster pace.
- Sergers can be bulky and difficult to move around. If you foresee needing to transport your serger, opt for one that comes with a carrying handle, which makes it much easier to transport your machine.