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which brand? (Moderated by Sharon1952)
Posted on: 10/21/06 2:29 PM ET
When I bought my new serger in March '06, an Elna 744, I was given strict orders by the dealer not to use anything but Maxi Lock thread. That didn't work in my old serger so I used the Metrocor, which I loved. I thought I read some time ago on the boards about the Atlanta Thread Company. I just checked their website and they're having a sale, $1.99/3000 yds. I've also searched the boards and couldn't find anything on ATC. What kinds of thread do you use? Any info greatly appreciated.
I was finally called the other day to attend a class on the new serger. When I purchased mine there weren't any available and I've been stumbling around ever since. I got the basics down, but today I tried doing a lettuce edging and the setup instructions given in the manual aren't working.
I was finally called the other day to attend a class on the new serger. When I purchased mine there weren't any available and I've been stumbling around ever since. I got the basics down, but today I tried doing a lettuce edging and the setup instructions given in the manual aren't working.
Posted on: 10/21/06 3:42 PM ET
I am going to tag this question on here too, please....
Why should I buy wooly nylon? Or can i get by with Maxilock--because I just bought dozens of spools of this--ON SALE--at Atlanta Thread!!
Thanks, in advance, for any info you can provide.
Carla
Why should I buy wooly nylon? Or can i get by with Maxilock--because I just bought dozens of spools of this--ON SALE--at Atlanta Thread!!
Thanks, in advance, for any info you can provide.
Carla
Posted on: 10/21/06 5:41 PM ET
I use Maxi-Lock because a) I cannot get Mettler Metrocor here locally and b) when I find it online I cannot get the colors I want.
Except for the occasional broken thread (already broken on the spool) Maxi-Lock has been great for me.
Mettler's thread is actually better. I think your dealer was wanting you to avoid some of the cheaper stuff out there. Those are very "linty" and can mess up the tension disks.
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Except for the occasional broken thread (already broken on the spool) Maxi-Lock has been great for me.
Mettler's thread is actually better. I think your dealer was wanting you to avoid some of the cheaper stuff out there. Those are very "linty" and can mess up the tension disks.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
Posted on: 10/21/06 5:51 PM ET
Doris, I agree with you that the Mettler is better and I'll use what I have on hand in my current machine to see how it does. Have you tried threadpro.com for the metrocor? I've ordered from them before and their service is very good.
CMS-Carla, I, too, wonder about wooly nylon. I've never tried it, but folks here on the boards give it high praise for edge/hem finishes. I think I'll give ATC a try on the Maxi Lock, especially with their sale going on.
Love the word "sale"!!
ETA website http://www.threadpro.com/mettler1.htm
-- Edited on 10/21/06 5:53 PM --
CMS-Carla, I, too, wonder about wooly nylon. I've never tried it, but folks here on the boards give it high praise for edge/hem finishes. I think I'll give ATC a try on the Maxi Lock, especially with their sale going on.
Love the word "sale"!!ETA website http://www.threadpro.com/mettler1.htm
-- Edited on 10/21/06 5:53 PM --
Posted on: 10/21/06 6:40 PM ET
Recently, I've had bad luck with Maxi lock-- cones with deep slashes (I've encountered about five of those) and black cones with fuzzy thread that breaks easily. Other Maxi lock cones work fine, which is good, because I have a large supply. However, I won't buy any more Maxi lock.
I even sent the manufacturer one of the defective spools, along with a cover letter explaining my bad experiences, as others have done on this site. But instead of the box full of thread that some others have received back, they sent me a paltry three cones of replacement thread.
My dealer doesn't recommend maxi lock, but he doesn't carry the premium brands. In the future, I'll try one of online sources mentioned here (Thanks!) or on one of the serger yahoo groups.
-- Edited on 10/21/06 6:40 PM --
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I even sent the manufacturer one of the defective spools, along with a cover letter explaining my bad experiences, as others have done on this site. But instead of the box full of thread that some others have received back, they sent me a paltry three cones of replacement thread.
My dealer doesn't recommend maxi lock, but he doesn't carry the premium brands. In the future, I'll try one of online sources mentioned here (Thanks!) or on one of the serger yahoo groups.
-- Edited on 10/21/06 6:40 PM --
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aka Joanne. (Penelope was the cat. RIP.)
"What mother nature gives, father time takes away."
Yahoo group: Sewing-with-Industrial-Machines
"What mother nature gives, father time takes away."
Yahoo group: Sewing-with-Industrial-Machines
Posted on: 10/21/06 7:41 PM ET
Well, I like MaxiLock. But I've used lots of brands of serger thread and my Brother 929D sews 'em all with equal ease. Only had a few spools in the last five years that this machine wouldn't sew.
Atlanta Thread is where I get serger thread and wooly nylon. I've ordered from them lots and never had a single issue.
Why use wooly nylon? Makes for stronger seams in knits. I sew for 4 kids and I've experienced the difference. If you sew a hem in a knit with a double needle, it is priceless to have wooly nylon in the bobbin. If you can find double needles with larger eyes, you can run wooly nylon through both needles and the bobbin for a practically indestructible t-shirt hem.
I don't favor wooly nylon as a rolled hem finish, but that's just me. Lots of people like it, but I'm the kind of person who'll melt the stuff the first time I iron it.
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Atlanta Thread is where I get serger thread and wooly nylon. I've ordered from them lots and never had a single issue.
Why use wooly nylon? Makes for stronger seams in knits. I sew for 4 kids and I've experienced the difference. If you sew a hem in a knit with a double needle, it is priceless to have wooly nylon in the bobbin. If you can find double needles with larger eyes, you can run wooly nylon through both needles and the bobbin for a practically indestructible t-shirt hem.
I don't favor wooly nylon as a rolled hem finish, but that's just me. Lots of people like it, but I'm the kind of person who'll melt the stuff the first time I iron it.
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Trinity
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 10/21/06 8:24 PM ET
Maxi Lock is really good, just an fyi, with cheaper brands, many times navy and black thread causes breakage. It has something to do with the dye and although I don't know really why, I was told this in a serger class ages ago.
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Life is short, eat dessert first.
Posted on: 10/22/06 0:05 AM ET
I always get the faulty maxi lock too. Mettler is alot nicer, I think. Not so fuzzy.
I did get alot of boxes of thread, so I will be using Maxi lock for years to come, as I will never run out! They gave me a ton of embroidery and fancy threads too.
They even gave me boxes of zippers and other things.
I have alot of wooly nylon, so I haven't tried the new one yet that doesn't melt.
Since it was free, I will use it, but if they were both just sitting there to buy, I would get mettler.
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I did get alot of boxes of thread, so I will be using Maxi lock for years to come, as I will never run out! They gave me a ton of embroidery and fancy threads too.
They even gave me boxes of zippers and other things.
I have alot of wooly nylon, so I haven't tried the new one yet that doesn't melt.
Since it was free, I will use it, but if they were both just sitting there to buy, I would get mettler.
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"What you WANT is irrelevant, what you've CHOSEN is at hand." --Mr. Spock
Posted on: 10/22/06 2:30 PM ET
RhodaK - I'll check out the threadpro site. There was a time a few months ago - perhaps a year ago - I could not get onto it and quit trying. I was looking for their famous ThreadPro thingy. Metrocor is more expensive but I have one spool and it is really nice. I've even used it for sewing seams on occasion.
YLI makes a serger thread that is impossible to find anywhere. All I can say is "YLI, why bother?"
Penelope - I had that problem with some dark Maxi-Lock, too. I finally tossed the spool. Thre was a discussion either here or at the now defunct sewingworld.com site about it. I guess by the time you sent yours back, they realized they'd go bankrupt from goodwill.
My sewing machine dealer told me that the independent dealers and fabric shops got a better grade of Maxi-Lock than the chain stores do. Sort of like some brands of fabric, so I've been told by teachers at AQS workshops. I have no idea if any of that is an urban myth or not.
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YLI makes a serger thread that is impossible to find anywhere. All I can say is "YLI, why bother?"
Penelope - I had that problem with some dark Maxi-Lock, too. I finally tossed the spool. Thre was a discussion either here or at the now defunct sewingworld.com site about it. I guess by the time you sent yours back, they realized they'd go bankrupt from goodwill.
My sewing machine dealer told me that the independent dealers and fabric shops got a better grade of Maxi-Lock than the chain stores do. Sort of like some brands of fabric, so I've been told by teachers at AQS workshops. I have no idea if any of that is an urban myth or not.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
Posted on: 10/24/06 6:49 AM ET
In reply to Doris W. in TN
I just ordered a bunch of Metrocor from threadpro.com
My dealer doesn't carry serger threads, and I decided to skip the Maxi Lock and stick with Mettler, it's always served me well.
They seem to be only set up for PayPal orders though, as long as you don't mind using it to purchase items.
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My dealer doesn't carry serger threads, and I decided to skip the Maxi Lock and stick with Mettler, it's always served me well.
They seem to be only set up for PayPal orders though, as long as you don't mind using it to purchase items.
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Bernina 740, 700, and 430 -- Babylock BLCS, and Ovation -- APQS Millennium -- Vintage Singers 401a, 403, 404, 421g, 301, 15-90, 201-2
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