different between overlock vs serger

English

Etymology

over- +? lock

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /???v??l?k/
• Hyphenation: over?lock

Noun

overlock (plural overlocks)

1. (sewing) A stitch that sews over the edge of one or two pieces of cloth for edging, hemming or seaming.

Verb

overlock (third-person singular simple present overlocks, present participle overlocking, simple past and past participle overlocked)

1. (sewing) To stitch in this manner.
2. (transitive) To make the bolt of a lock go too far.
   • 1857, Thomas Stewart Traill, The Encyclopaedia Britannica

     The way to open it, then, is to turn the key the other way, as if to overlock the bolt […]

Synonyms

• merrow
• overedge
• serge

English

Etymology

From serge +? -er.

Noun

serger (plural sergers)

1. (sewing) A type of sewing machine designed to produce an overlock stitch and to cut the fabric as it stitches.
   • 2008, Shannon Okey, The Pillow Book: Over 25 Simple-to-Sew Patterns for Every Room and Every Mood, page 31,

     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, Madlyn Easley, Quick and Easy Window Treatments: 15 Easy-Sew Projects that Build Skills, Too, page 20,

     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.

   • 2010, Cait London, Instinctive Male, page 158,

     With that, Mikhail sat down to place spools of thread on the serger, studying the directions and clearly dismissing her.

Synonyms

• (type of sewing machine): overlock machine

Related terms

• serge

Anagrams

• Greers, Regers