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OK, I bit the bullet... finally bought my serger The Brother 3034D has arrived :)
iBaloo   Intermediate Member since 7/2/12 Posts: 43	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 8/7/12 7:36 PM I have been looking at sergers for a while, Brother has a sale on at present (until 27th August 2012) and the 3034D was available at $399. Costco was $449. I bought the machine at a local Brother dealer, included in the price is a free lesson and some discounted thread. Rather than attending the lesson straight away, I will get some real world experience and then attend with my list of difficult questions. The 3034D box included the usual tools, brush and extras, also included are the trim trap (it works well), and in addition to the standard presser foot, a blind stitch foot and a gathering foot. I raided the local library for serger books, so if you are Ottawa, I apologize, all the serger books have been checked out by me! I tried the "tie on new threads" trick, because I thought threading process would be difficult. Bad news / Good news - the bad news was my knots were too big, so the threads did not run properly, the good news........ After deciding to remove all the threads, rethreading the 3034D was easy (once I had read the manual). So the old adage, "If all else fails, read the manual" also applies to sewing machines. This afternoon I have been serging up a storm, well, lots of strips of material actually; checking what the tension dials do, getting aquatinted with the machine. I will watch the included Brother DVD later today. It is too early to provide a review, but at this point I am happy with my purchase. -- Edited on 8/7/12 8:03 PM -- -- Edited on 8/12/12 8:31 PM -- ------ Brother SE400 & 3034D, it's a start :) I really don't want to become a klepto-machine-iac.
marymary86 Intermediate GA USA Member since 7/20/08 Posts: 2204	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/7/12 7:56 PM Congratulations!! I look forward to reading your review. ------ Mary http://checkmatesystem.com
Judy Kski   Intermediate FL USA Member since 10/26/08 Posts: 1020	Login to reply to this post In reply to iBaloo << Like this post Date: 8/7/12 9:23 PM Congratulations on your new serger. May it be everything you wanted and more. ------ Judy
minggiddylooloo   Intermediate VA USA Member since 5/17/05 Posts: 1794	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/9/12 9:13 AM Fun!! Be sure to check out the "Getting the most out of your Brother 1034D" thread in the Serger/Coverstitch/Blindhemmer sub-forum. I know your machine is the next level up from the 1034D but I think there will be lots of helpful tips that can still apply to your new toy. Hope you'll have many years of joyful sewing with your machine. ------ I'm finally a blogger! sewming.blogspot.com
Montarville Advanced Beginner ON CANADA Member since 2/22/11 Posts: 109	Login to reply to this post In reply to iBaloo << Like this post Date: 8/9/12 4:18 PM Quote: iBaloo I raided the local library for serger books, so if you are Ottawa, I apologize, all the serger books have been checked out by me! I did the same thing when I bought mine last year! In Ottawa too! Whenever I want to borrow a book on sergers at the library and there are none, I think that someone just bought a serger! Congrats on your new purchase! I hope you have fun with it.
iBaloo   Intermediate Member since 7/2/12 Posts: 43	Login to reply to this post In reply to minggiddylooloo << Like this post Date: 8/9/12 5:05 PM Quote: minggiddylooloo Fun!! Be sure to check out the "Getting the most out of your Brother 1034D" thread in the Serger/Coverstitch/Blindhemmer sub-forum. I know your machine is the next level up from the 1034D but I think there will be lots of helpful tips that can still apply to your new toy. Hope you'll have many years of joyful sewing with your machine. It's a long thread, but I will read all of it. There are a lot of great tips and ideas in there. ------ Brother SE400 & 3034D, it's a start :) I really don't want to become a klepto-machine-iac.
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 5000	Login to reply to this post In reply to iBaloo << 1 member likes this. Date: 8/10/12 1:39 PM WOW! A manual.....that's number 1. Read and apply. Videos are okay but, I bet you fall asleep before it is over. At least that is what the voice over for my rescued Janome 634D did to me. This is a used, maybe once; stored in a dusty closet because previous guardians did not know what it was; more physically traveled miles than the Velocity Gnome. But here is the kicker....drum roll..........it was a VHS tape ! OMG would be a better clickable smiley. No pertinent accessories, no manual (downloaded a free one at the Janome site and found a few of the needed accessories on EBay). Anyway the machine was (not is) a toss away. Free or not, my baby lock Imagine is totally awesome and will not take a second seat to any freebie that just walked in the door! Enjoy your new machine. The more you use it, the more you will learn. BTY - make those tiny square knots, snip their tails and thread in the correct order, which is a must for many sergers. Correct threading, stitch features and maintenance - gotta keep the manual handy for these important "musts"! Enjoy the new serger - try all the features.
CosmicFabulosity Intermediate VA Member since 12/15/07 Posts: 145	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/10/12 5:15 PM The... video... will... put.. you... to... sleee....zzzzzzzzz. I remember the fantastic 1980's vintage (or so it seemed) VHS that came with my serger back in the 90s. The only thing it was good for was showing me how to thread the machine since the illustrations were HORRIBLE. Enjoy your new serger ------ www.iamchristianmichael.com I'm proof that men really will ask for directions :-D Bernina 240 & 130, Pfaff 1222E & 2020, Singer 503, Janome 3434D, closet way too full of spandex and I think there is a puppy somewhere in this mess.
iBaloo   Intermediate Member since 7/2/12 Posts: 43	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/10/12 9:52 PM The disk was a DVD, but you are right, it is boring. It seems the 3034D only gets the instruction video, not the second tutorial disk that the 1034 is supplied with. I have grasped the process of threading from scratch, the manual and the diagrams were easy to follow. Loads of books to read, plenty to try..... It's going to be a busy weekend :) -- Edited on 8/10/12 9:52 PM -- ------ Brother SE400 & 3034D, it's a start :) I really don't want to become a klepto-machine-iac.
navyseal   Beginner NY USA Member since 4/11/04 Posts: 17	Login to reply to this post In reply to iBaloo << Like this post Date: 8/11/12 1:20 PM The brother 1034D videos are all on youtube. Start here for the techniques videos.Brother 1034D youtube videos Have fun with your new serger!

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