Brother 1634D Serger Review: Everything You Need To Know

The Brother 1634D serger is one of the bestselling and most popular home serger machines on the market. Sergers are specialty sewing machines that are used to finish seam edges and create professional-looking hems and stitches. With the ability to sew faster and create cleaner finishes than a regular sewing machine, sergers are indispensable tools for sewists and garment makers. In this comprehensive review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, capabilities, and performance of the Brother 1634D serger to see if it should be your next sewing machine purchase.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Details
Stitches	1-needle, 3-thread overlock; 2-needle, 4-thread overlock; narrow and rolled hemming; 22 built-in stitches total
Speed	Up to 1,300 stitches per minute
Adjustable Settings	Thread tension, stitch length, cutting width, presser foot pressure, differential feed
Presser Foot	Snap-on feet included: standard, blind hem, gathering foot
Throat Space	5mm-7mm stitch width adjustable
Lighting	LED light at needle plate
Frame	Metal interior
Accessories	Tweezers, spool caps, lint brush, needles, screwdriver, trim trap, foot controller, soft cover
Warranty	25-year limited warranty
Machine Weight	17.3 lbs
Machine Dimensions	Length 12.5” x Width 13.5” x Height 15”

Ease of Use

One of the biggest selling points of the Brother 1634D serger is how beginner-friendly it is. Sergers can seem intimidating at first, but the 1634D has a low learning curve that helps you get comfortable with essential techniques like threading, adjusting settings, and basic stitching.

Right out of the box, the Brother 1634D serger comes with everything you need to get started. The instruction manuals and DVDs thoroughly explain each step from unpacking to sewing your first seam. Visually labeling key components and walking through the threading paths makes the process frustration-free.

The machine features a lay-in threading system with color-coded guides that takes the difficulty out of loading the loopers. Simply follow the dotted lines and corresponding spool colors for easy thread up. Within minutes, you can go from unboxing to creating your first serged stitches with the 1634D.

Image showing the easy lay-in threading system with color-coded guides

Stitches and Options

With the ability to handle both woven and knit fabrics with ease, the Brother 1634D serger produces professional, high-quality seam finishes. It comes equipped with 22 built-in stitch options for versatility.

The 1634D can operate as a 1-needle, 3-thread overlock or convert to a 2-needle, 4-thread overlock machine. This allows you to serge multiple layers or heavier fabrics. At up to 1,300 stitches per minute, it delivers speedy results on everything from delicate silks to sturdy canvas.

Whether you are finishing a seam, creating a rolled hem, sewing on lace, or making ruffles, the Brother 1634D serger can handle it. Both novice and experienced sewers will appreciate the quality of stitches and ability to customize settings for optimal results.

Image/video showing the serger stitching a variety of fabrics at high speed

Adjustability and Controls

Having advanced controls at your fingertips is what takes this serger from beginner-friendly to professional-level. Conveniently located dials and levers allow you to adjust settings like thread tension, stitch length, cutting width, and differential feed.

The Brother 1634D serger enables you to set the thread tension for each needle separately. This is extremely helpful for achieving balanced stitches and making corrections when threads are looping or pulling. The presser foot pressure is also adjustable for handling lightweight or heavy fabrics.

The retractable cutting knife can be engaged to trim seam allowances or disengaged when hemming or sewing without cutting. Adjust the blade for the width of cut you desire. It delivers a smooth cut on all fabric types.

The differential feed is one of the most useful controls on a serger. It prevents stretching on knits and enables ruffles on lightweight fabrics. Dialing this in correctly takes some practice but makes a big difference in your stitch quality.

Performance

In terms of overall performance, the Brother 1634D serger delivers satisfying results. It produces neat, flat seams for a professional finish. The stitches have visible tension and uniformity that you would expect from a high-end model.

The powerful motor and blade system provide a smooth sewing experience even at top speeds. It does not skip stitches, snag or chew up delicate materials. You can serge continuously without slowdowns or inconsistent results.

The 1634D performs well with multiple layers like seams, hems, and fabrics. It provides enough power and clearance to prevent jamming. The strong differential feed also helps propel the fabric smoothly and prevent tunneling on tricky materials.

While not completely silent when running full speed, the Brother 1634D serger does not have an obnoxious noise level. It’s comparable or quieter than other machines in its class. The sound is more of a low hum rather than a disruptive buzz or rattle.

Accessories

The Brother 1634D serger comes with several handy accessories right in the box. This includes a selection of presser feet, needles, tweezers, a lint brush and more.

• The gathering foot is perfect for making ruffles by adjusting the differential feed. Simply insert a ribbon or elastic through the scroll on the foot to create beautiful gathers.
• Use the blind hem foot when finishing the bottom edge of curtains, pants or other projects needing an invisible hem. It helps conceal the stitches on the right side of the fabric.
• Take advantage of the free arm by removing the flat bed attachment. This makes it easier to serge cylindrical items like pant legs and sleeves.
• The trim trap collects fabric scraps and keeps them contained as you serge. No need to clean up pesky thread trimmings after every project.

Having these handy accessories included further adds to the value of the reasonably-priced Brother 1634D serger.

Image showing the accessory feet and other attachments included with the machine

Pros

• Excellent price point for the features
• User-friendly for all sewing levels
• Produces high-quality, professional finishes
• Provides good speed at 1,300 SPM
• Comes with several handy accessories
• Reliable and durable with metal interior
• Good for small-scale professional use
• Wide range of stitch options and capabilities
• Helpful adjustment features for stitch customization
• Lay-in threading is easy to master

Cons

• Noise level at maximum speed can be bothersome
• Limited to basic overlock stitches only
• Plastic exterior components could be sturdier
• Smaller throat space than industrial sergers
• Does not offer coverstitch function
• Lower maximum stitch width than premium models
• Not capable of specialty techniques like rolled hemming

Conclusion

The Brother 1634D serger earns its reputation as a top choice for beginners venturing into serging. It provides professional-quality results once you master the basic operation. The combination of easy threading, ample accessories, and quality construction make it a machine that will keep up with your skills as they progress.

While more limited in advanced features than high-end sergers, the 1634D truly excels at basic overlocking stitches. The adjustable settings empower you to customize stitches for any type of fabric. It has the versatility to handle both simple everyday projects and small-scale professional work.

For sewists seeking an affordable serger loaded with friendly features, the Brother 1634D is sure to satisfy. With proper care and maintenance, it will continue churning out beautiful seams and hems for years to come. The 1634D hits a sweet spot of value, reliability and performance that makes it a favorite for good reason.

Image of finished sewing projects neatly serged with the Brother 1634D