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Member since 2/8/09
Posts: 4188
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Posted on: 1/24/10 7:02 PM ET
I have a Bernina Aurora 430 and just received a Baby Lock Evolution. I have ruffle foot for the Bernina. I know the differential feed will gather but is it worth buying a Baby Lock serger ruffler foot so that I can ruffle and attach in one step?
I would like to do some home dec piping but unsure which machine to buy the piping foot for.
I would also like to make/put elastic in sportswear, swimwear and underwear but not sure if I should use the SM or if it would be easier or faster if I got the elastic adjusting attachment for the serger.
I would like to make jeans for grandson. Is the feller seam serger attachment helpful for this? Or should I just seam and topstitch on the SM?
I bought a pricey Binder foot for the Bernina and it was not "user-friendly" and I have never tried it again. The Babylock serger also offers a binder attachment and I wondered if that would be worth buying. I would like to do placemats.
My Babylock dealer is 2+ hours away and does not carry the feet in stock so I can't actually try them first. He will order and mail out to me and if I don't like them he will offer a refund or store credit.
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Needlework brings joy and meaning to my life...member of ASG
Now using: Singer 301, Pfaff 6152 & BL Enlighten serger
  
Member since 2/8/09
Posts: 4188
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Posted on: 1/25/10 10:25 AM ET
I thought that feet were considered "notions" but I think this may be the wrong forum so I just re-posted my request to this forum: Sergers, Coverstitch and Blindhemmers.

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Needlework brings joy and meaning to my life...member of ASG
Now using: Singer 301, Pfaff 6152 & BL Enlighten serger
  
Member since 6/14/06
Posts: 557
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Posted on: 1/25/10 10:29 AM ET
The only foot I've ever bought for my serger was for piping, and it let me cover the cording and attach it in one step. That was really handy - but it was also expensive because I had to buy some kind of an arm thingy to help feed the fabric in the correct position. That was something like $100.

Usually a serger sews faster than a sewing machine, so if you're going to do a lot of ruffles, or you are going to do things were having the edges overcast as you sew will save you time or look better, then I'd go with the serger feet. If it's an occasional thing, then it probably doesn't matter, I'd go with what's least expensive.
  
Member since 1/25/09
Posts: 5195
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Posted on: 1/25/10 10:38 AM ET
I agree with the comments about how often/frequently you'd use these as to which to get...
I am amazed when I see people use the serger versions at how quickly and easily they do it. I worked for a dealer for several years and the owner could flip on those feet for the Evolve to demo faster than I could jet air thread the thing.
I think (just my opinion) it takes more practice and coordination using some of these on the serger but am sure once you're up and running it's faster. For me rather than investing the practice time I use the sewing machine (want to get rid of that Bernina binder? ). I never really liked the elastic foot for sergers, took some fiddling to get the degree of stretch right and on swimwear the amount of stretch you'd put in front leg differs from back - plus I could never prevent that lycra from slip sliding around and found it quicker and easier (for me) to do on the SM. You could always turn and coverstitch for finish on the serger.
Why not go to the dealer and see if they'll let you try the feet on the floor model of their serger so you get an idea of how easy they are to use? If I had a customer who was on the fence about a foot (not a cheap purchase for our Pfaffs) I'd put one on a machine for them to try out.
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