Finish Knitwear and Wovens Like a Pro with the Brother AIR1800 Air Serger and Jet-Air Threading
Level up garment edges, seams, and hems with the Brother AIR1800 Air Serger. This 2/3/4-thread serger uses jet-air looper threading and one-touch needle threading to eliminate setup headaches, so you spend time sewing rather than wrestling with threads. A bright LED work area, differential feed control, quick-change rolled hem levers, and a cutting knife on/off switch give you clean, consistent results on everything from performance knits to structured wovens. With a top speed of up to 1,300 stitches per minute and shop-friendly reliability, the AIR1800 is built for both home sewing enthusiasts and small studios that need fast, repeatable, professional finishes.
Why choose the AIR1800 Air Serger for professional garment finishing
Serger seams make garments look store-bought. The AIR1800 adds modern air-threading convenience and precise controls that reduce rework and make tricky fabrics easier to handle. Whether you are finishing activewear, kidswear, or boutique pieces, the machine’s balanced stitch formation and strong fabric control will help you move from raw edges to polished results in fewer steps.
- Jet-air looper threading: Send thread through both loopers at the touch of a button for near-instant setup and color changes.
- One-touch needle threading: Thread one or both needles quickly to get sewing faster.
- 2/3/4-thread versatility: Tackle overlock, flatlock, narrow hem, and rolled hem applications with the combinations you use most.
- Up to 1,300 stitches per minute: Produce clean seams at speed for deadline-driven projects.
- Bright LED work area: See stitch formation clearly on dark or textured fabrics.
Air threading and needle threading that remove setup friction
Traditional serger threading can stall a project. With the AIR1800, the looper system uses air power to move thread through enclosed tubes, bypassing the tedious loop-by-loop path. Pair that with one-touch needle threading and you can change color sets between garments or sizes in minutes. The color-coded guides help you confirm each path at a glance, which is ideal for beginners and efficient for high-volume users.
- Jet-air loopers: Thread both loopers in seconds through sealed channels.
- Needle threading assist: Engage one-touch threading for left, right, or both needles.
- Color-coded guides: Reduce errors and speed training for new operators.
- Reliable rethreading: Swap thread colors mid-run without losing tension settings.
Differential feed and fabric control for knits, activewear, and delicate materials
Stretchy and lightweight fabrics often pucker or wave on basic machines. The AIR1800’s differential feed lets you tune how the front and rear feed dogs move your fabric so seams lay flat and hems curl only when you want them to. Use higher ratios to smooth jerseys and rayon, or lower ratios to create controlled lettuce-edge effects on ruffles and kidswear.
- Differential feed ratio 0.7–2.0: Match feed to fabric to prevent stretching or puckering.
- Stable seam formation: Achieve balanced overlocks on slinky knits and fine wovens.
- Creative edges: Dial in lettuce edges or subtle fluting for decorative finishes.
- Consistent results: Store preferred settings by fabric type for repeat jobs.
Quick-change rolled hem and knife control for fast style shifts
Switching from an overlock seam to a rolled hem is a common production step. The AIR1800 includes quick-change levers for rolled hems and a dedicated switch to activate or deactivate the cutting knife. Move between trimming and non-trimming operations without tools, which keeps you sewing and reduces setup downtime.
- Rolled hem levers: Convert to rolled hem quickly for chiffon, organza, and lightweight knits.
- Knife on/off switch: Finish edges with or without trimming for exact fabric control.
- Precise stitch length: Adjustable 1–4 mm stitch length supports fine hems and strong seams.
- Professional edge finishes: Create narrow hems for scarves, ruffles, and special-occasion wear.
Safety, visibility, and reliability to support long sewing sessions
Clear feedback and lighting reduce mistakes and eye strain. The AIR1800 includes a safety sensor and error LED that prevents sewing when the fabric or front cover is open or when the presser foot is raised. The LED lighting evenly illuminates the needle and knife area so you can monitor stitch formation and placement along curves and corners.
- Error LED and safety interlocks: Machine will not sew if a cover is open or the presser foot is up.
- LED illumination: Crisp, cool light for accurate threading and trimming.
- Balanced design: Smooth operation with moderate noise for home or small-shop settings.
- Durable build: Designed for repeated daily use with consistent stitch quality.
What you can make with a 2/3/4-thread serger
The AIR1800 covers core serger techniques for apparel, costumes, crafts, and home décor. Use 4-thread seams for strong knit construction, 3-thread for edge finishing and seam allowances that will be pressed open, and 2-thread for ultra-lightweight fabrics and delicate rolled hems. Flatlock stitching lets you add decorative contrast seams or join layers with minimal bulk.
- 4-thread overlock: Durable knit seams for tees, leggings, and athleisure.
- 3-thread narrow/wide: Clean edge finishes on wovens and seam allowances.
- Rolled hem: Sheer scarves, flounces, and ruffles with crisp edges.
- Flatlock: Decorative sportswear seams or low-bulk joining for fleece.
Speed and ergonomics tuned for both home and small business
At up to 1,300 stitches per minute, the AIR1800 keeps pace with batch sewing and production-style workflows. The front-facing controls, smooth handwheel action, and bright LED lighting make it comfortable for long sessions. Combine that with quick threading and you have a machine that makes frequent color changes and fabric switches practical, even on short runs.
- 1,300 SPM max: High throughput for deadlines and batch work.
- Front-facing controls: Easy access to stitch length, differential feed, and knife control.
- Fast color changes: Air threading supports frequent palette swaps.
- Balanced handling: Smooth fabric transport helps maintain accuracy at speed.
Key specifications at a glance
These specs align to the most common requirements for apparel finishing and knit construction. Verify your fabric and thread choices with a test seam before production runs to fine-tune tension and differential feed settings.
- Threads: 2/3/4-thread capability
- Needles: Two-needle operation
- Maximum speed: Up to 1,300 stitches per minute
- Stitch length: 1–4 mm adjustable
- Differential feed: Adjustable, approx. 0.7–2.0 range
- Lighting: LED lit work area
- Safety: Cover and presser-foot sensors with error LED
- UPC: 012502671244
- Unit dimensions: 14.6 in W × 14.0 in D × 15.9 in H
- Unit weight: 21.5 lb
- Warranty: Limited 1/5/25 year serger warranty (see official warranty terms)
Included and recommended accessories
The AIR1800 ships with the essentials to start serging out of the box. Add specialty feet and serger thread cones to expand techniques and speed. Keep quality blades and needles on hand for consistent trimming and stitch formation.
- In the box: Serger machine, standard presser foot, foot controller, needles, and small toolkit (contents may vary by region or retailer).
- Recommended: Cone thread set for knits and wovens, extra blades, assorted needle sizes, clear foot for visibility, gathering and piping feet for specialty work.
- Maintenance: Brush out lint regularly and replace blades as needed for clean edges.
Included machine accessories.
Setup and workflow tips for cleaner results on the first try
Small adjustments have big impact on seam quality. Use test strips from your project fabric and note the settings that give you the look and strength you want. Save those preferences for future runs to reduce guesswork and rework.
- Thread choice: Use quality serger cones; match fiber to fabric and intended wear.
- Differential feed tuning: Start near 1.0 for stable wovens, raise for stretchy knits, lower for controlled lettuce edge.
- Knife engagement: Use the knife for clean edges; switch off for decorative joins or when pre-trimmed.
- Stitch length: Shorter for lightweight hems, longer for bulky fleece and seam allowances.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can beginners use the AIR1800?
A: Yes. Air-threaded loopers, one-touch needle threading, and color-coded guides reduce setup time. Start with 3-thread overlock on stable cottons and record settings as you go.
Q: What stitches does it support?
A: Core serger stitches including 4-thread overlock for strong knit seams, 3-thread overlock for edge finishing, 2-thread narrow options, flatlock for decorative joining, and rolled hem for fine edges.
Q: How fast is it?
A: Up to 1,300 stitches per minute, which suits both home projects and batch sewing in small shops.
Q: Does it handle stretchy athletic fabrics?
A: Yes. Use the differential feed to prevent waviness and puckering on jerseys, spandex blends, and performance knits.
