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Member since 4/3/07
Posts: 15
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Posted on: 6/23/10 4:07 PM ET
I read through a lot of the reviews and am still uncertain on how to start my search for a serger. I have the task of making a 5 dresses this summer and would love anything that would make the job easier. The dresses will contain all sorts of material....satin, cotton, sheer, knit, etc. I would love to have a serger that is easy to use, easy to thread, and will be able to still fit the bill as my sewing skills advance. I hate playing with tension. I love solidly built machines that are workhorses and have a good reputation for not needing repairs. Price doesn't matter as much as quality and the manufacturer's willingness to back their product. Thanks to this board I bought my Viking Emerald 118 about 3 years ago...this machine has done everything I need it to do without being intimidating to me as a person who was new to sewing. My ears are open, I'll take all the advice I can get. And yes, when I narrow the choices down I will march into a store and actually try them. :-)
-- Edited on 6/23/10 4:08 PM --
  
Member since 5/22/06
Posts: 3084
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Posted on: 6/23/10 5:13 PM ET
In reply to ladyver
I'd recommend any of the Babylock sergers with jet-air threading. There are several, depending on your needs and your budget.
  
Member since 12/3/05
Posts: 6572
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Posted on: 6/23/10 5:13 PM ET
In reply to ladyver
See if you can get your hands on a Babylock Imagine or even better, an Imagine Wave, used if possible to bring the cost down. These sergers are extremely reliable and have automatic tensions and jet air threading. They're so easy to use, you can teach yourself how to use them.
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No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
  
Member since 7/19/07
Posts: 200
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Posted on: 6/23/10 6:05 PM ET
In reply to ladyver
I own the Babylock Evolve and love it! Also, at one time, I owned the Babylock Imagine, but sold it because I wanted the Evolve that has a coverstitch and chain stitch. Both sergers are easy to use; you can easily teach yourself. With their jet air threading, they are a breeze to thread. They are well worth the price. You never have to worry about tensions.

Linda in TX
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Linda Ann
  
Member since 3/9/09
Posts: 11323
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Posted on: 6/23/10 9:44 PM ET
In reply to ladyver
I gotta think about this one...which serger would I recommend. Oh boy...that's a tough one...


Babylock. The Imagine, Imagine Wave, or the new Enlighten are all superb machines. The Evolve or new Evolution are serger/coverstitch machines, and likewise superb, although I myself prefer separate serger & coverstitch machines.

Easier to use right outta the box than most sewing machines, imo!


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I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
  
Member since 4/3/07
Posts: 15
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Posted on: 6/24/10 1:44 AM ET
Wow...I guess it's the Babylock hands down! Now, since I'm still somewhat of a novice, what benefit aside from the coverstitch comes with getting the Evolve over the Imagine Wave? The one thing I've picked up from the bit of research I've done is that the combo machines are usually a PITA to switch over, which is the reason a lot of people buy a machine that solely does coverstitching.

And then there's pricing...what price should I pay for a new Imagine Wave or the Evolve? I know that when I bought my sewing machine, I went in expecting to pay sticker price and then the dealer kept throwing in all these discounts. I'm not good at haggling unless I have a pretty solid number in mind that I expect the dealer will take.
  
Member since 12/3/05
Posts: 6572
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Posted on: 6/24/10 9:19 AM ET
In reply to ladyver
The Imagine Wave, which is the machine I have, is said to be much easier to maneuver than the Evolve. A separate coverstitch machine is handier because you can switch back and forth between serging and coverstitching as you construct your garment.

I don't know what new Imagine Waves are going for, but since this machine has been discounted, you should expect to get it for a good price. When I bought a barely used Imagine Wave three years ago, I paid $800, which was considered an excellent price.


-- Edited on 6/24/10 10:51 AM --
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No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
  
Member since 3/9/09
Posts: 11323
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Posted on: 6/24/10 10:10 AM ET
In reply to ladyver
The Evolve (or new Evolution)

Advantages:

-serges and coverstitches in one machine

-one combination machine takes up less space

-switching between the two is very fast & easy (altho I still found it to be a PITA to switch, as I was often switching during construction of each garment; if you will be serging and then only coverstitching at the end of construction, ie for hems, and only 1 garment at a time, this likely wouldn't be a PITA for you)

-can be less $ than buying two separate machines (serger & coverstitch)

-has 5-thread safety stitch

Disadvantages:

-Switching back & forth is quick & easy, but is still a PITA if you need to switch often due to more than 1 garment at different construction stages at a time

-wider feed dogs & feet, due to the number of needles (one set for serging, the other set for coverstitching). Wider feet & dogs hamper maneuverability to some extent, and going over thick seams can cause the fabric to pull away to the left.

-wider turning radius; also due to the wider dogs & feet, the turning radius on the combination machines is not as tight (altho the new Evolution has a much tighter radius than the Evolve)

The advantages & disadvantages to separate machines are the opposites of the above; separate machines take up more room, tend to cost more in total (altho one can snap up an Imagine Wave and then choose a less expensive coverstitch machine such as the coverpro), don't require switching back & forth, have the narrow dogs & feet and tighter turning radius. However, the separate Babylock sergers don't have the 5-thread stitch (which I have on my Pfaff serger yet have never in x-many years used).

I had the Evolve, and it is a fantastic machine. However, I chose to trade mine in for separate serger & coverstitch machines (Enlighten, and BLCS2) and am very happy I did so. I love not having to switch back & forth, as I often coverstitch during garment construction, not just afterwards for hemming, and I just wasn't 100% happy with the wider dogs & feet of the Evolve.

I personally find the separate machines each do their own particular jobs better than combination machines do.

If it were left up to me, as a buyer for a serger-newbie, I would purchase said serger-newbie a Babylock Imagine Wave (or the Enlighten, preferably, if $ were no object) and the Babylock coverstitch machine. The quality, ease of use and plain FUN of using them makes them worth every penny, imo!
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I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
  
Member since 4/23/10
Posts: 195
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Posted on: 6/24/10 1:20 PM ET
I have the Imagine Wave and am brand new to serging. I agree that you can teach yourself on these machines. It is extremely user-friendly and so far, it has performed beautifully. I paid $1300 at the dealer but he is not known for giving discounts.

As far as the coverstitch machine, I haven't "had" to have one up to this point. I would suggest starting with the Imagine Wave and adding the coverstitch machine later if you feel you need it.
  
Member since 12/3/05
Posts: 6572
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Posted on: 6/25/10 1:16 PM ET
As far as coverstitch machines go, you can always get a Coverpro, which is usually half the price of the Babylock coverstitch machine.
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No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
  
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