overlockserge

Overlockserge is a term used in the textile and garment industries to describe serge fabric that has been finished with an overlock edge. The overlock finish is produced by an overlock machine, which trims the edge slightly and encloses it with interlocked threads in a three- or four-thread stitch. This results in a neat, durable edge that helps prevent fraying and stabilizes seam allowances during sewing and wear.

Serge is a twill-woven fabric known for its diagonal ribs and varying weights. Traditional serge is wool or wool blends, used for suits and outerwear, but cotton, polyester, and other blends are also produced as serge. Overlock finishing is widely used on serge and other woven fabrics in ready-to-wear production to speed finishing and to provide a clean inside edge.

In practice, an overlocked edge on serge may be visible along seam allowances inside a garment or, in lighter fabrics, along the outside edge if pressed open. The finish is valued for its combination of speed, strength, and resistance to fraying, though it can add a slight edge bulk at thick seams or require subsequent trimming and pressing for a flat appearance.

Terminology varies by region. The compound term "overlockserge" is more common in some European textile contexts and may be described in English simply as a serged or overlocked edge on serge fabric. In catalogs and technical literature, the concept is generally presented as edge finishing using an overlock machine.