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Chain stitching what machines have it?
Sauvage   Advanced Beginner MA USA Member since 7/22/09 Posts: 545	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/29/12 9:41 PM I've been reading up on sergers and coverstitch machines. There's one in my near future (knit yardage keeps arriving at my home--who ordered that??) but probably after the holidays. Looking at reviews and the message board, I know so much more than before (thank you PR-istas! But now my standards are higher and I know too much--durn you PR-istas!). A simple, entry-level serger would probably be fine, except that I'm entranced with the idea of having a chain stitch. I baste and rip an awful lot--to be able to pull out a seam all at once would save so much fitting time. Why is it only the expensive sergers that will do a chain stitch? Or am I wrong about that? Is there a less expensive serger with the chain stitch? Is there a machine that just does the chain stitch, so that I could get that and also a serger? Would it be crazy to get a coverstitch machine instead of a serger? They seem to do chain stitches plus the nice cover finishing the seams. I don't anticipate needing variable width serging or even the cutters....but most of you experienced folk seem to get a coverstitch AFTER getting a serger. Thanks in advance for any advice. ------ Jeanne "Let me live in a world of image and I will never complain." --Louise Bourgeois
Moose Sky Member since 8/28/10 Posts: 5	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/29/12 9:48 PM You need a serger. Period. More than a cover stitch or a chain stitch. I've used my chain stitch once and it didn't pull out as easily as I thought. It's a great idea but you'll use your serger for every project and will be thrilled every time.
nitsel   Intermediate AR Member since 12/25/11 Posts: 96	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/30/12 0:12 AM I agree with Moose Sky: you need a serger! I'd hate to think of sewing most anything, especially knits, without it.
Sharon Rose   Advanced IN USA Member since 3/10/11 Posts: 101	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/30/12 1:05 AM I have both a serger and a coverstitch machine. Both are Babylock. I use my serger 10 times more than my coverstitch machine. I could live without the coverstitch machine, but not the serger. It sits right beside my sewing machine and anytime I make a garment, it is used as much as the sewing machine...A coverstitch machine is to a sewing machine what a dryer is to a washing machine. Please don't misunderstand, I like the coverstitch machine, but it is not as essential as the serger.
Sauvage   Advanced Beginner MA USA Member since 7/22/09 Posts: 545	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/30/12 3:17 PM ....I guess I have to....well, I'll alert the spouse just in case this would solve all his Christmas troubles. ------ Jeanne "Let me live in a world of image and I will never complain." --Louise Bourgeois
KathySews   Advanced Beginner MI USA Member since 10/1/06 Posts: 2898	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/30/12 3:21 PM Well of course say get both, but seriously I agree with others. My serger is used as much if not more than my sewing machine. I had to have a coverstitch but never got into it much. It does hem knits beautifully.
beauturbo Advanced CA USA Member since 5/2/09 Posts: 1457	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sauvage << Like this post Date: 11/30/12 6:27 PM First probably figure out, just what kind of a chain stitch do you want? One done by home sewing machine, uses just one thread. One done by a home overlocker uses two threads, one thread in the needle and one thread in the looper. One done by sewing machine, you can can still pivot pretty good, and on a dime, one done by overlocker, not so much and not that easy, because an overlocker has a huge big presser foot on it, pressed down onto there. One done by sewing machine and one thread, you can't get your thread too thick, as it still has got to go through a needle. One done by overlocker, you could use a lot bigger thread in the looper part, even if it would not go though the needle part. I think most new overlockers (that also do a 3 thread overlock, and 4 thread overlock, or even a 5 thread safety stitch, rolled hemming, flatlock and such) that will do a chain stitch now, do cost more than those that do not, just because they are using a third looper to do that chain stitch there. So in that case, 3 loopers in something costs just more than only two of them, most of the time, I would think. So you don't need a coverstitch capable overlocker to do a chain stitch, but lots of coverstitch overlockers, that do one, also all now have the coverstitch in them now. That makes them more expensive right there. You don't even need any kind of overlocker to do a chain stitch, you could even use a old sewing machine instead, something like a old Singer Touch and Sew, or an even older, chain stitch only kind of machine, but then your chain is made from one thread, not two. So lots of choices. Sometimes better to have stuff in several machines though, rather than to try to jam it all more into one kind of machine, just depends on what you like.
kittykate Intermediate ON CANADA Member since 12/18/02 Posts: 1052	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 11/30/12 6:53 PM If space was an issue you could do any sewing you wanted in two machines: a 5 thread or more serger that does serging, cover stitch and chain stitch, and then a sewing machine with embroidery module. Or you can go cheaper, somewhat, with individual machines for different functions. I say cheaper somewhat because I buy used machines. I have a 5 thread serger/cover, set on cover, a serger for serging, an embroidery only machine, several ! sewing machines, one just set up as a buttonholer, and a sewing machine that is set up for chain stitch only (the old Touch n Sew). I like the touch and sew chain stitch for basting, as it is one thread as Beauturbo described, but it's not the greatest baster on knits. The chain stitch on the serger/cover frankly is better. But the single thread of the sewing machine is easier to pull out. It would depend if you like to sew over your basting, often I do.
Sharon Rose   Advanced IN USA Member since 3/10/11 Posts: 101	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 12/1/12 6:36 AM I just read the posted message I made. Ooops....my analogy that a CS was to a sewing machine was the same as a dryer is to a washing machine. It should have said: a serger is to a sewing machine as a dryer is to a washing machine. Sorry for the flub and not catching it earlier You guys must think I am a real goofball...or what kind of washing machine and dryer I have (Ha,Ha)
Moose Sky Member since 8/28/10 Posts: 5	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 12/1/12 10:46 AM Just a chuckle. You are right about the serger as important as a dryer. !

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