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Member since 5/30/08
Posts: 472
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Posted on: 7/27/08 8:46 AM ET
I have been sewing for six months. I made my daughter a dress...made p.j.s and skirts. I am not terrific but I am moving along nicely. I just bought the Brother 1034D serger from allbrands.com. It will be here in a few days. What would be the best project to start with new serging skills? Are there patterns that have serge instructions? Anyone else had experience with allbrands? They did match the Amazon price. Service good? Alas....I need the name of a great easy first pattern for my first serging pattern. I picked this serger based on reviews from this site. Who knew I needed a serger? I am learning so much about myself as I improve in sewing. I want something EASY....I am not good with new machines.
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I sew....I rip....I create.
Kenmore 19110, Brother 1034D, Innovis 900D, Juki Excite HZL G210
  
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Member since 4/8/07
Posts: 2911
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Posted on: 7/27/08 9:04 AM ET
In reply to mandeedee
Kwik Sew has a line of patterns (Kwik Serge) designed to be sewn completely on the serger. I have always liked Kwik Sew patterns as I think their illustrations and instructions are good.
-- Edited on 7/27/08 9:05 AM --
  
Member since 5/30/08
Posts: 472
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Posted on: 7/27/08 10:26 AM ET
In reply to Lynnelle
This is the sort of thing that is sooo helpful. Thank you.
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I sew....I rip....I create.
Kenmore 19110, Brother 1034D, Innovis 900D, Juki Excite HZL G210
  
Member since 7/23/07
Posts: 7276
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Posted on: 7/27/08 11:19 AM ET
PJ's are great - bottoms, at least. Then you take the leftover material and make squares (I do mine 11" x 11") and serge the edges either square or rounding the corners as you go, to make lovely little face cloth/hand towels. Have fun!
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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
  
Member since 9/29/02
Posts: 3237
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Posted on: 7/27/08 11:22 AM ET
And grab those fabric scraps (you know you have them) and practice the various stitches. Just being comfortable with a serger is important -- they go soooooo fast that it's easy to feel that you're not in control.
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Patti

R-r-r-ripping my way to fitting success
  
Member since 12/22/07
Posts: 311
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Posted on: 7/27/08 5:27 PM ET
I've had the same serger for about nine months, got it from All Brands, and I love it. I second the Kwik Sew recommendation, but when you browse the Big 4 pattern books, you'll see some patterns that note that serger instructions are included. I think the first thing I did on it was a very simple knit flared skirt with an elastic waist. (Actually, the very very first thing I did was bravely unthread the whole thing and start fresh so that I'd completely understand just how the machine did its magic. Threading hasn't been a problem since.)

Be sure to watch the DVD that comes with it! Very helpful.

Have fun!
  
Member since 5/30/08
Posts: 472
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Posted on: 7/27/08 8:52 PM ET
In reply to plazaglass
Plazaglass...you make me feel better about my purchase. I really worried that maybe a serger was just too complicated. You make it sound like it is something I can do. I really want to make this sewing thing easier and faster. I will look for serger instruction notations on patterns. This site makes me smile with all the sewing information that gets passed on through the boards. Thanks for helping a new sewing convert.
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I sew....I rip....I create.
Kenmore 19110, Brother 1034D, Innovis 900D, Juki Excite HZL G210
  
Board Moderator
Member since 4/8/07
Posts: 2911
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Posted on: 7/27/08 9:19 PM ET
In reply to mandeedee
Nothing man made is ever complicated! Muahaha...there's an instruction manual to the International Space Station somewhere around here...=)

Just practice on the scraps as mentioned before and jump right in.

Have fun!
  
Member since 7/23/07
Posts: 7276
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Posted on: 7/28/08 11:54 AM ET
Operating a serger is not a bit complicated. Threading one may send you to the funny farm temporarily, but once you get a handle on that, you'll love it
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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
  
Member since 1/12/06
Posts: 51
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Posted on: 7/28/08 8:11 PM ET
In reply to mandeedee
I got a brother 1034d a few months ago,i'd never even seen a serger working before.I had no problem threading it and it came with two great cds full of info.
You'll love it:)
  
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