Date: 11/17/09 1:17 PM

I'm in the market for a serger. Awhile ago, I went back and forth about getting one. But this time I'm serious. Anyway, I've looked at several. The Brother 1034D. However, the dealer that sells it has a $449 price tag. Yeah right, when I can get it for quite a bit less at Amazon. I've looked at the Janome 634D and the Magnolia, which number escapes me now. 1034 perhaps? I also have looked at an Elna 645. Beautiful. But it was $699. I think that I don't want to spend that much.

I'm thinking perhaps $400. I want a serger that will last me, not real cheaply made. And can do a nice rolled hem with sheer fabrics. Plus I want it to work everytime without hassle. Easy to thread would be nice.

Am I asking for too much for my price range?

Please do help me! Thank you!!

Reply to Sewnsewmom
Date: 11/17/09 2:33 PM

You can purchase the Brother 1034D on line at a much lesser price, even Walmart's on line price is $219.99.
I suggest if possible to go to several dealers and sit and serge and find the differences in ease of use and the different features of each. You could also check many brand websites on line. Sears Kenmore sergers are also made by Janome and not very expensive and they have sales often.
I hope you find a serger that you love to use.

Date: 11/17/09 3:16 PM

I got my serger on ebay for $200. It was a new in box Elna 686. Doesn't have cover stitch, but runs very smooth and quiet. Be cautious of buying a machine from WM. The specs for those are often different from the specs for the machines at dealers. This is to meet WM low price point.

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"Let's make the most of this day"
bluefly

Date: 11/17/09 3:48 PM

Hi, If you find the exact same model at a dealer's as you do in Walmart, then they are the very same machine. Just be sure that you like the machine that you get. I actually called Brother when I was interested in the Brother CS6000 sewing machine as a lightweight machine to take to classes with me. I asked the lady on the phone if the machine at the dealer's was the same exact machine with the exact same specs and she said yes it was. She said that I could also get the machine registered online on the Brother site.
Harriet

Reply to Sewnsewmom
Date: 11/17/09 7:41 PM

A vintage Bernina 334D or 334DS may be worth looking at. From what I've seen and heard it's known to be an extremely solid, dependable machine that makes a gorgeous rolled hem and runs in the $250-$400 price range on ebay. I can't speak to the easy threading part but if my memory serves me the 334DS has a feature that makes it a little easier to thread than the 334D model.

The new standard in easy to thread probably goes to BabyLock for their jet air threading. From what I've read though I suspect the Bernina 334 series may surpasses BabyLock in stitch quality. I haven't seen any side by side however.

Reply to Sewnsewmom
Date: 11/17/09 9:14 PM

I upgraded my 20 yo serger about a year ago to a Baby lock....with jet air threading....tension is a breeze and I love the ease of threading....I just hate changing the threads on my serger or CS machines...even with the jet air threading.
I even batch similar color garments so I don't have to change threads

The babylock may exceed your price point, but I have had zero trouble in over a year and it has done everything from thin sheers to heavy denim type materials.

Good luck in your search and try to get as much hands on try out on the machines as you can...even several hundred dollars for a machine that you end up not liking, is money not well spent.