lirael
Advanced Beginner
AUSTRALIA
Member since 11/22/11
Posts: 4 |
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Date: 1/19/13 8:23 PM I have a wonderful opportunity to buy a serger and after seeing the evolution demoed at a craft show, I want that one. ;)
Right then (a few months back), I had no time but I do have now and have gone to my closest dealer and asked for a demo. Well, they didn't have one on the floor at that moment (they had several other babylocks though) and since they wanted one for floorstock if I didn't take it, they've ordered one and when I come in, will open the box in front of me and help me try it out and show me a bit.
Now, I learned to sew as a child on my mother's Elna Lotus and am sure enough of myself with a regular sewing machine to do basics and work out techniques from books and youtube, etc. Currently, my sewing machine is my mother's 'new' Elna - a 3003 that is in the vicinity of 20 years old. But... my never had a serger and until I started reading on the internet and actually learning more than the basics I was taught, I had no idea what could be done with one. This will be my first and if the Evolution lives up to the promises from it's enthusiasts, it will be *wonderful*.
So... what would experienced overlockers suggest I take along to try out? Thus far, my list is:
* old soft cotton sheet
* coloured patchwork cotton (easier to see stitches on coloured fabric)
* lightweight knit fabric
* denim (plain and stretch?)
* polar fleece.
Anything else? Any recommendations as to what stitches to try? I'm pondering if I should try some slippery stuff, the sort of stuff my pre-schoolers think I should make up princess dresses in.
Currently, it will come with bonus Flat Sole foot & 3mm Piping foot. I was also thinking to get the coverstitch only foot and the clear foot; is there any others that people would recommend? My sewing will be a mix of household items, garments for myself and 'fancy' stuff for my daughters who are 3, almost 4 years old right now. I also make dolls clothes so the tiny-scale is of some interest. I also do patchwork and quilting (I'm looking at a new sewing machine for quilting but that is another post) but I probably won't be doing much of that with the serger. At least, that is what I think right now.
-- kati. |
allorache
Advanced Beginner
OR USA
Member since 12/10/11
Posts: 74 |
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Date: 1/19/13 10:40 PM I just got an Evolution. I am very new to serging and it is way beyond my skill level, but I wanted the combination of cover stitch and serging. So I am hardly an experienced serger, but I can offer you this: make sure they show you the threading for cover stitch and overlock. At least I think those are the ones I am going to use most. You might want an elastic foot also. So far, I love it; SO easy to learn. You won't be sorry. ------
Now a Babylock girl almost all the way - Ellegante 3, Evolution, and Melody. Plus a Sailrite LSZ-1 for those heavy duty projects |
SandiMacD
 
Intermediate
FL USA
Member since 2/8/09
Posts: 1055 |
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 1 member likes this. You have the right combinations of fabrics. You might want to pick up some pearl cotton and wooly nylon so she can show you how to get them through your looper. I was the first to order an Evolution in MT in 2010- the dealer and BL educator had never seen one before. It was just released to replace the Evolve.
My biggest learning curve was how to handle seams and corners. Take your fleece and bulky fabrics and knits and sew them together. Take those in so that you can learn how to serge across seams- like when doing a CS hem or a serging over a crotch seam.
Another is curves. Next time you cut a garment save the scraps that have inside and outside curves and corners. They are great for learning and practicing how to serge an item with corners and tight curves.
I just finished a BL serger class last weekend and learned a few more tricks. It is such a fun serger to use. ------
re-living my youth through sewing... |
SandiMacD
Intermediate
FL USA
Member since 2/8/09
Posts: 1055 |
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Date: 1/20/13 8:04 AM Oh yes, get that clear foot! You don't need an elastic foot to put in elastic and if you have a sewing machine ruffler you dont need a serger ruffler- your differential setting will make a soft gather. I haven't used any of my extra feet really except the clear one.
I did find out from my BL Educator last week that BL now has a skinnier foot to do a CS on the Evolution that offers better visibility. My dealer doesn't know how to get it yet. But I use the clear foot which is also skinny. Heavier fabrics work better with the metal feet though.
If you are sewing mostly small sizes take a cut pattern with you and try the Imagine. I think it handles tight curves and corners better but it does lack a CS.
It was a hard choice for me.
-- Edited on 1/20/13 8:12 AM -- ------
re-living my youth through sewing... |
lgrande
Advanced Beginner
MT USA
Member since 1/18/12
Posts: 1053
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Date: 1/20/13 8:27 AM I also would recommend the Clear Foot and the Coverstitch Foot.
I purchased those separately and use them all the time.
Haven't found the need for any of the others but I don't do a lot of garments. ------
Linda
Bernina 830LE
Bernina B530
Janome 6600P
Pfaff 1209
Babylock Evolution
Janome 644D |
Judy Kski
Intermediate
FL USA
Member since 10/26/08
Posts: 1020 |
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Date: 1/20/13 10:39 AM The Evolution doesn't come with the cover stitch foot? If it has cover stitch capabilities wouldn't Babylock include that with the serger? ------
Judy |
CSM--Carla
Intermediate
FL USA
Member since 1/21/06
Posts: 1058 |
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Date: 1/20/13 11:21 AM Try a delicate silky fabric and do a rolled edge.
This was the most challenging thing for me with my old serger. the Evoluion handled it easily and was one of the things that sold the machine to me.
I agree with sewing all the fabrics together and then running them thru the Evollution. Sew denim to charmeuse to fleece etc. The tension adjustments that the machine makes are amazing.
|
lgrande
Advanced Beginner
MT USA
Member since 1/18/12
Posts: 1053
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Date: 1/20/13 11:41 AM Some dealers will include a full set of feet with purchase.
Mine disn't. You don't NEED a coverstitch foot but I like it.
-- Edited on 1/20/13 3:01 PM -- ------
Linda
Bernina 830LE
Bernina B530
Janome 6600P
Pfaff 1209
Babylock Evolution
Janome 644D |
tatica
Beginner
Member since 10/31/09
Posts: 28 |
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Date: 1/20/13 2:11 PM Evolution has coverstitch capabilities. |
SandiMacD
Intermediate
FL USA
Member since 2/8/09
Posts: 1055 |
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Date: 1/26/13 1:12 PM The standard foot that it comes with is used for every stitch it can do- overlocking, flatlocking, rolled hem, wave, coverstitch, gathering, elastic, etc.
The speciality feet either make the job easier or offer better visibility. If you are on a budget get the clear foot. Then add others down the line after you have had your Mastery Classes. During the class you will know better what feet you want for the way you use your serger. ------
re-living my youth through sewing... |
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