Date: 2/4/03 8:58 PM

Ok, I confess. Sewing is taking over my life! I'm stashing fabric in places that my cats can't get to, sewing new garmets every weekend..and loving every darn minute of it!

I have finally decided that I'm ready to take the plunge and buy a serger.  I don't want to do on impulse though. That is my usual modus operadi, and since I really don't know what to look for for the price, it behooves me to take a deep breath, slow down, and learn all I can.

Money is an issue, but I am willing to go into some credit card debt to insure I get the best machine for me.  I don't want to regret those extra features I didn't think I'd ever need, once I 'grow' into the machine (and I plan to increase my sewing skills and time).

So, does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should be looking for? I know next to nothing. What I do know is that I want something that will last a long time, be as easy to use as possible, and create the highest quality seams.  I am willing to spend between $500 and $1000.
Are there any particular brands that have stronger durability? What particular stiches should I make sure it has? What things are not that important to have? (I won't be doing any professional or industrial level sewing, just making home garmets and home decor)  Is Bernina as strong a serger as it is a sewing machine? Joan's Fabrics had a White's serger on sale from $500 to $400 today when I went in the store, but I didn't know if it was a good deal or not.

Any help out there would be appreciated.
thanks so much!
Tara

Date: 2/10/03 6:49 AM

Hi, Tara! I think if you get the right serger for you, you'll be so happy you did. Getting the right one involves comparison shopping, just as for a sewing machine, including taking sample fabrics to compare overlock stitches, flatlocking & rolled hems. And because using a serger seems so daunting for so many, dealer support is especially useful. I don't know anything about the White serger, but the two cautionary points I would make are: will JoAnn's provide help with learning to thread it and adjust tensions? And how easy is it to thread and adjust tensions on that machine? I believe that as a general rule, as you go up in price on sergers you gain ease of use, more so probably than you gain in stitch quality. I personally love my Babylock Imagine because its jet air threading system makes it really fun to thread.  Some of the lower priced BL Eclipse models also have jet air threading. That's a feature that adds to the cost, but I hope you'll consider Babylock. Do check out the Berninas and also the Elna sergers. My own opinion on valuable features, after ease of threading, are: differential feed (very important), easy rolled hem conversion, stitch quality and consistency, and if you are willing to pay for it, cover stitch & chain stitch capability. These two stitches enable you to do twin needle type hemming as in RTW, and allow decorative stitching away from the edge of the fabric. The Imagine doesn't have that; it isn't essential, but I see an awful lot of serger patterns & projects that call for chainstitching, and with the wonderful possibilities of using heavier decorative threads (check out Designer 6 by YLI!, it would be nice to be able to do.
 Hope I haven't confused you further. Good luck and let us know what you buy!
Mary Beth

Date: 2/10/03 7:19 AM

Tara, check out the chat transcripts for the serger chat that Gigi ran last fall.  Also, do a search on buying a serger.  There was a lot of discussion last fall, I think in the miscellaneous category of the message board.  

One of the themes that came up multiple times is first shop for a good dealer, then shop for the serger.  Most sergers seem to have similar capabilities, but not all dealers have similar capabilities!  The purchase should include at least some instruction, preferably one on one.  I just bought mine last fall, and the purchase included one-on-one instruction as I required (no set amount) for the next year, plus the first year's tune-up.  

If you have multiple reputable dealers in your area, then start shopping between the sergers they carry.  

I agree with Mary Beth that differential feed is essential.  The less expensive machines do not have the coverstitch or chain stitch.  I personally was not willing to spend the money for those stitches; I haven't had the machine long enough to tell you if I will regret that decision but I don't yet.  I bought a Janome 634D and have been happy with it.  I spent $400.

Have fun!

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With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
Fabric = clothing (some assembly required) (from Re Becca's DH)

Date: 2/10/03 9:40 AM

Hi Tara,

Congratulations on your decision to buy a serger. I know it can be a daunting task but I would advice you to take your time and come up with the best machine that would suit you.

I am also a new serger owner and bought it only a couple of months ago. I have a Bernina 800DL which has differential feed and self threading lower looper. Its very easy to thread and I am saying this cause if I (who had never even touched a serger before) can now thread the whole thing completely in less than 3 minutes everyone can!

I did however take everyone's advice here. Here's the link to the topic which I created in november 2002 asking everyone to help me make this decision. It might help you.

Which Serger to buy?

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- Deepika
Founder, PatternReview.com
Vote for the 2010 Contests
http://sewing.patternreview.com/poll/38

Reply to Tarawebster
Date: 9/7/05 10:05 PM

Hi Tara!
Good Luck in deciding what serger to buy. I went through this myself a couple months ago. There are really no places around here to go and try one. So I did some research and came up with the Brother 1034D. I actually found it in ebay for about 179.00 with shipping. It is a factory refurbished and is in perfect condition with a complete Brother warranty. It is as quiet as one can get and doesn't jump around on the table.
Check it out in the review section on this site too.
So again Good Luck!

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Linda B
http://picasaweb.google.com/sewperfection/Crafts

Date: 9/9/05 2:23 AM

I, too, decided to take the plunge and bought a serger which I just received 2 weeks ago. I did the research and bought the Juki 654DE on the internet at a fabulous price - $281 delivered to my door - average price is $399. Features are: 4 thread, differential, power-off safety when doors are open, self threading lower looper, etc. I believe that Juki makes certain Bernina models. I've found it easy to thread and it works like a charm. Although I'm an expert seamstress, I'm not good at adapting to new machines, but I'm extremely pleased with my serger. With the help of the easy to read instruction manual and an excellent article on serging from Threads, I've been able to use my serger without any lessons.

What I learned from my research is that the most mentioned item is ease of threading. The second thing I noted is that many people bought top of the line to get the coverstitch, and then found that it took some work to convert to the coverstitch and back to serging so they tended not to use the coverstitch (It was suggested to buy a separate inexpensive coverstitch machine if you do a lot.) A differential is desirable and most midlevel machines have them. I saw comments about the cutting knives being hazardous so the power-off safety feature is important to me. The Babylock airthreading is great but you're also buying top of the line. For a first serger I have everything but the coverstich which works for me. If I find I need it, I can pickup a used coverstitch machine on ebay or even a new machine and will have spent less than I would have for a loaded model, and I won't have to change the setup back and forth.

Shop the internet and compare prices. You'll be surprised at the deals you'll find. Good luck shopping!

Date: 9/9/05 3:50 PM

LB and Twoimps, congratulations on your new sergers. I do feel it is important to be comfortable with your serger. It seems you both made good choices. I hope you enjoy them in years to come.

Date: 9/9/05 5:54 PM

I also found a Brother 1034D on eBay and paid about $170.00 for it. I felt like I was "taking a chance" but it was alright in the end. It is easy to thread but that may be because I had a hand-up being as it came with an instructional video. I love, love, love my new serger!!

I didn't take the time to go try out different models but probably should have. Next time!

Good luck!

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Leah

My blog:
http://www.journeytocouture.com

My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.

Reply to Tarawebster
Date: 12/14/08 1:13 PM

Tara,
I would check into the Babylock sergers, they are so user friendly especially those models with the jet air threading. Whoosh and you are done, it takes me longer to thread my sewing machine than my Evolve. Ok not quite but it is so simple I taught myself as I never took the time to run for the lessons included with the purchase. I can cover stitch, bind, hem and overlock with ease, all self taught without the use of the extra workbook, though I do have that on my wishlist! I have spent the last 2 weeks serging Christmas presents for my husband's large extended family. Changing the thread is never a chore and with just a couple twists of the dial, throw a switch and I go from overlock to a rolled hem. I have used it on everything from silk to upholstery, even jeans with french seams. I was intimidated by sergers but not anymore.
Dear hubby thought it was good to have the decorative wave, cover stitch and chain stitch options all in one machine to save space. I utilize the overlock and rolled hem stitches the most. My favorite stitch is the 3 thread overlock with the safety stitch which is the predominate combination in RTW clothes. I do have to use the special feet and needles both of which I buy online since I live out in a small town. The model I have uses a wide presser foot that took some definite adjusting to and I am still learning how to serge corners without trying to watch the needle.
I have a friend who owns a Bernina serger that lives in a closet, never used and yet another who loves her 15 year old White serger. My sister owns a Pfaff and swears by it. I love my Babylock and while it is pricey you can find some amazing deals if you start watching. Bottom line is test drive and don't rush your purchase. Spend your money on something you will use and not be frustrated by. A problematic machine can take all the joy from sewing.

Date: 12/14/08 6:35 PM

Hi Tara: I agree with the other girls - don't rush into anything and find a good dealer. I got my first serger in 2001, a Janome 744D, and it was a very nice machine. I bought what I could afford at that time and figured I would learn to use it. However, I found it frustrating to thread and adjust tensions, so I rarely used it. Every time I wanted to use it, it was an ordeal . Last year I traded it in on a new BabyLock Evolve Wave and I love it. I don't really use the coverstitch or chain stitch much, but I wanted to be sure I wouldn't regret not having those features later. I haven't taken any of lessons that were included with purchase, but the machine was easy to learn with the dvd and workbook. Bottom Line - don't settle for something you aren't sure of just to save $ because it isn't a bargain if it isn't used.

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Topshelf Pod