Sergers
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The short answer
Buy serger cone thread, not standard sewing-machine spools. It's cheaper per yard for the volume a serger consumes and feeds more smoothly through multiple thread paths.
Maxi-Lock all-purpose thread, 4-pack
Coats Surelock overlock thread
Gutermann serger threadSerger thread comes on large cones. A serger feeds three or four threads at once and uses far more thread per seam than a sewing machine. Below are three widely sold serger threads.
After them, you will find what to look for when you buy serger thread for the first time. Details come from each listing. We have not tested them.
Maxi-Lock all-purpose thread, 4-pack
Our verdict:
Best value set of four cones
Best for a first set of four matching cones for a 4-thread serger.
View on AmazonKeep in mind: one color per pack, so add cones for contrast work.
Product details checked September 2026
A common value choice for a first set of four cones.
Coats Surelock overlock thread
Our verdict:
Best large cones for color sets
Best for a color set of large cones for regular serging.
View on AmazonKeep in mind: pack colors vary by listing, so check the set before you buy.
Product details checked September 2026
Large cones sold in packs. Handy when you want a set of colors.
Our verdict:
Best single-project spools
Best for one project in a single matching color.
View on AmazonKeep in mind: a smaller put-up; you need several spools for a 4-thread setup.
Product details checked September 2026
A smaller spool. Useful when a project needs just one color.
Normal sewing thread comes on small spools. They feed one thread path at a time. Serger thread, also called cone thread, comes on much larger cones. It is usually a little finer and more even.
It is made to run smoothly through 3 or 4 thread paths at once without snagging in the loopers. You can run spool thread on a serger with a cone adapter. But you will use up spools fast. Some spool thread is also thicker and less even, so it catches in the loopers more easily.
A serger uses far more thread per seam than a sewing machine, because of the looping stitch. If you are just learning the machine and testing stitches, start with a set of four cones. Pick a couple of neutral colors, such as white, black or a color that matches your usual fabric.
You don't need a full range of colors right away. To give a rough sense of scale, the seams of one knit garment can use several times the thread a sewing machine needs. Each serger stitch wraps thread around the edge instead of passing through once.
Cones take up more shelf space than spools, and they tangle if you store them loose. A thread rack or a set of small bins keeps cones upright. It stops their ends from catching on each other. That matters more than you might think.
A tangled cone can make the thread feed unevenly partway through a seam. Keep thread out of direct sun, too. That helps it keep its strength and color over time, most of all with cheaper all-purpose cones.
Serger cones are labeled by weight and by fiber. The weight is a number for thickness. A higher number usually means a finer thread. Polyester is the most common all-purpose fiber.
Cotton and nylon versions exist for certain fabrics. For most beginner projects on knits or mixed fibers, an all-purpose polyester cone in a standard weight is a safe default. Try special threads once a project calls for them. Examples are a heavier thread for decorative rolled hems or a finer one for delicate fabric.
Old or poor thread is a common, overlooked cause of serger tension problems. Before you change the tension dials, try a fresh cone of even thread. See Overlocker Sewing Machine for other setup basics to check first. See Fixing a Serged Seam if you need to unpick a seam that didn't come out right.
A serger uses 3-4 threads at once instead of 2, and its stitch wraps thread around the fabric edge rather than just running a single line through it, so it consumes thread much faster.
Yes, and many sewists do, using cheaper thread in the loopers (which use the most thread and are less visible) and a slightly nicer thread in the needles.
Less than you'd think for the loopers, which are often hidden inside the seam. Needle threads are more visible, especially on a rolled hem, so matching those to your project matters more.
