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Viking, Bernina, Juki or Babylock Serger Which to buy??
lehighalums Member since 2007 Posts: 39	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/11/08 5:28 PM Hi! I'm looking at getting into serging for some basic home dec, craft type of stuff as well as sewing flannel and fleece layers. I have a Viking Designer I and just love it, but have been told that the Viking Sergers are made by Brother, so I wasn't sure about that since a repair guy told me the Brothers are less balanced and more "clunky". I was also told that Juki, Bernina and Babylock are the best. I even looked at the $250 brother from Walmart and Amazon for a starter, but figure I'm better off buying one that has classes and service centers right near me. I'm torn because the Viking 905 was pushing my price range already (At $600 on sale) and the Bernina (model 800) and Babylocks (Eclipse) are $800 minimum. I have read the reviews on all of those and none of them have had negative reviews really. I also saw a Babylock 450 for $299 at a dealer. How do I know what's worth it? I want a basic machine, but need something I can grow into long-term. I can't swing a top of the line anything, and I frankly don't think I need it. Does it come down to trying them all out?? Any input on how to go about selecting one would be so helpful! Thanks!
Betakin Advanced AZ USA Member since 2004 Posts: 7210	Login to reply to this post In reply to lehighalums Like this post Date: 2/11/08 5:39 PM I think the best way to chose a serger is to sit and try them for yourself. Some of the sergers have a few more stitch programs than others but basically all do the same thing. Some models like the Babylock 450 I believe requires a needle plate change to do a rolled hem where maybe the other models do not but it still does a lovely rolled hem and offers many stitch programs including 2 thread. The 450 is much the same model serger as the Simplicity 390 and the Sewing with Nancy Serger. I might be wrong but I think the Viking sergers are now made by Jaguar or maybe Toyota. I do hope you get the chance to try some out for yourself. You might find that one model threads more quickly than another or one might stitch better than another etc. I hope you find a serger you will love to use and grow with. -- Edited on 2/11/08 5:41 PM -- -- Edited on 2/11/08 6:11 PM --
Juniper76 USA Member since 2006 Posts: 90	Login to reply to this post In reply to lehighalums Like this post Date: 2/11/08 6:50 PM I've been told that Juki makes all the sergers... ------ www.berninacentral.com
Betakin Advanced AZ USA Member since 2004 Posts: 7210	Login to reply to this post In reply to Juniper76 Like this post Date: 2/11/08 7:32 PM Well, you might say that Juki started all the home sergers. In 1967 Juki Co. Inc. of Tokoyo Japan had industrial sergers in factories but decided to make a smaller one "the baby" . Many tailors used this "Baby" and when taken home their wives also loved it and it became a home serger. Tacony Corp. became the exclusive distibutor of the Baby in the USA and it is now known as Babylock. I read in a sewing magazine over a year ago where somebody had an article about White developing the first home serger in the USA which disagrees with the book, "Know Your Babylock" that has a chapter on the history. Juki does make machines for Singer and sergers for Bernina and for other companies but almost all major brands now market sergers under their name with all sergers still having certain patents still held in Japan.
Fictionfan   Advanced VT USA Member since 2006 Posts: 1046	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/11/08 7:58 PM The Kenmore serger (Sears, KMart) is a decent 3/4 thread serger with differential feed (you WANT this), and is only $230, likely to be on sale at times (especially Mother's Day). My sil has one and it's worked just fine for the last 6 years. If you want coverstitch or chain stitch, you'll have to spend more money. Otherwise, I'm not sure that the higher priced machines are worth it if you just want basic serging capability. The DVD and manual were fine for my sil, who had never even seen such a thing before my brother got her one, and I think she had a book or a DVD for more instruction. The most important part: watch the knife and don't go over any pins. With sewing, you watch the needle, but serging requires watching the knife. Second: vacuum the dust from the machine, don't blow, or use really dry canned air in bursts. Third: threading in the right order makes a huge difference in avoiding tangled threads, and the manual will tell you how to do that. You can spend a lot of money for air threading if the threading scares you, or you can use the knot method: tie the new thread to the old thread, loosen tensions, and pull or run the thread through--new thread is in. I just watched Serging with Confidence (Nancy's Notions DVD, a three part show put on one DVD) that covers nearly everything you would ever need to know about using the machines. I think it was $20 for the DVD. If you spend more money at a dealer, be sure they give you lessons as part of the deal. That is partly why the machines are more from dealers. -- Edited on 2/11/08 8:10 PM -- ------ Fictionfan
nancy2001   Advanced AL USA Member since 2005 Posts: 5224	Login to reply to this post In reply to lehighalums Like this post Date: 2/11/08 8:04 PM I bought my first serger just after Thanksgiving, and I absolutely love it. It's a Babylock Imagine Wave (jet air threading, automatic tensions, tight turning radius), and I got it for an incredible price -- $800 because its previous owner had traded it back to the dealer within 90 days. I highly recommend this machine because it's extremely easy to use (jet air threading, automatic tensions, tight turning radius) and stands up to a lot of abuse. I find it's the perfect complement to my beloved Viking Platinum 770 sewing machine. ------ The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale. Richard Dawkins
Sewing Diva Susan Advanced USA Member since 2006 Posts: 410	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/15/08 11:35 AM OK, I will cast my vote for either a Babylock or Bernina. I use to be some what up on Juki, but not so much on the newer ones, so I have no real opionion on them. And yes Viking is made by Brother, brother makes a good machine, but the bottom line is what you want, the machine that meets your needs. Good luck! ------ John 3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." NIV
LesleyLesley Member since 2012 Posts: 2	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/12 2:15 PM For the subject of sergers.... I'm am looking at a Singer Quantum 14T957DC. It looks like it can do everything I could ever want it to do. Has anyone had any experience on this machine?
LesleyLesley Member since 2012 Posts: 2	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/12 3:22 PM Does anyone have any experience with a Singer serger 14T957DC? What do you think of if?
diane s   Intermediate OR USA Member since 2002 Posts: 3343	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/12 5:01 PM I bought my daughter the Kenmore that was reference above, it's a Jamome clone that has the most important features. It's easy to use and sturdy. I had a Viking 905, it was OK, very heavy and it had a free arm which was nice. I feel the Kenmore is just as good. ------ My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.

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