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do I have to have a serger?
pinkrhody Member since 4/22/12 Posts: 3	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/1/13 8:47 PM I have been away from sewing for many years but want to get back into it. I just can't find RTW clothes that fit me well and why buy things I won't wear? I'm not a complete newbie but I've never sewn with knits and I doubt that these days I'm going to want to just wear wovens. What I want to know is can you sew knit shirts without a serger? I have a good older Pfaff that wasn't made in China and it has the dual feed. Also, Is there a good book or other resource I can use?
GlButterfly Intermediate CA USA Member since 8/28/08 Posts: 2391	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/1/13 9:06 PM Have an older Pfaff also and have never had a problem sewing on knits. There have been many debates here on serger or no serger. I don't have one and will never have one--don't need it (and don't have the space.) ------ I have not yet begun to procrastinate
Sherril Miller   Advanced CA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7473	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 1/1/13 9:32 PM I recommend you get one. While Gl is right, and you don't NEED one, you'll be forever grateful that you got one. I didn't think I needed one until I got one. It makes sewing so fast and neat and easy. No fighting with the needles on knits with a SM. No popped seams. No unfinished seam edges. I'm still regretting that I waited until I was in my 40s to get one. ------ Visit my blog at http://sewingsaga.blogspot.com If it's worth sewing, it's worth sewing well; and if it's worth sewing well, it's worth FITTING FIRST! - TSL
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1370	Login to reply to this post In reply to pinkrhody << 1 member likes this. Date: 1/1/13 9:33 PM I sewed many many years without a serger. I didn't think I wanted to mess with 4 threads and 4 tensions. My old Kenmore wouldn't sew a knit no matter what I did. I like to wear knits and wanted to sew them-so many RTW clothing (knits or wovens) do not fit me right. I wanted to start sewing for myself again, so I bought a new sm 2 years ago that would sew knits. I got along ok. I found PR and kept reading posts on here about how great it was to have a serger I bought a Brother serger a year and a half ago. I was sewing knit tops this weekend. That serger saves so much time and sews such a nice seam. I can whip up a top in about an hour or less. I will always have a serger and now have my eye on a coverstitch. You can get along fine with a sm (and you have a good one) but I think a serger makes sewing knits a whole lot easier.
diane s Intermediate OR USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 3887	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 1/1/13 10:43 PM A serger makes sewing wovens that ravel easily a joy. Linen, rayon, flannel, and denim are fabrics I hated sewing until I got a serger. ------ My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.
ShantiSeamstressing Advanced Beginner Member since 6/11/10 Posts: 1204	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 1/1/13 10:47 PM Oh, you can do fine without one. Years (and I do mean years ago - 1930's) my great-great aunt sewed everything for my grandmother, including stretchy swimsuits, without a serger. (I think adjustable pressure foot pressure on a sewing machine would be a help, though. That said, with the right needles, I have had no problem sewing knits. The very first item I ever sewed for myself was a knit dress - total newbie!)
B Intermediate MN USA Member since 12/5/03 Posts: 626	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 1/1/13 10:47 PM I sewed for many years without a serger, but I really love having one these last few years. I wouldn't spend lots of money for the fancy ones, but that's just me. It is so quick and finishes nicely. ------ Janome serger 634D, Brother PC6000, Singer 500A & 328K, Bernina 600, White Rotary treadle, New Homestead A VS treadle
PattyE   Intermediate MI Member since 9/7/10 Posts: 652	Login to reply to this post In reply to pinkrhody << Like this post Date: 1/1/13 11:08 PM No, you don't have to have a serger. Do I recommend getting one...absolutely. You will love it and wonder how you did without one for so long.
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4991	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/1/13 11:25 PM Before making a purchase visit as many sewing machine dealers as you can and see which one is the easiest to thread. I know Babylock has air jet threading (have one and it sure is a lot better than the old Funlock I started with) but there may be other brands with models that are easy to thread.
KLK7 Beginner Member since 10/12/12 Posts: 35	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 1/1/13 11:57 PM I am a beginner and it has improved my sewing more than any other thing: new machine, lessons, practice, etc. it has given me a lot more confidence to try new things because 1) items turn out so much better that I don't get frustrated and 2) it saves me so much time that I have more time to play with decorative stitches or trims or fit and if I have a "wadder" it's not as maddening. I got mine used off Craig's List in like new condition. They aren't nearly as expensive as they used to be.

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