An overlocker, also known as a serger, is a type of sewing machine that sews seams, trims, and neatens the fabric edges all at once. It is used extensively in the garment manufacturing industry as entire garments can be produced in minutes with a neat and durable finish. An overlocker uses between two and nearly a dozen threads to encase the raw edge of the fabric with an overcast stitch, while trimming away the seam allowance - all at speeds of up to 1,700 stitches per minute. Overlock stitches are extremely versatile, as they can be used for decoration, reinforcement, or construction. An overlocker can be used for construction, finishing, or both at the same time, and can involve as few as two or as many as eight threads depending on the make and model of the overlocker and the stitch selected. Overlockers are used to clean-finish the seam allowances, although today’s models can do far more than that, and they have become increasingly easy to operate, creatively diverse in their stitch capability, and more economical than ever. Overlockers are not so easy to use ‘out the box’ than sewing machines and require the user to develop a whole new set of skills.