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Member since 6/30/11
Posts: 105
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Posted on: 1/26/14 9:32 PM ET
My serger is very old (a Juki 634) and will need replacing soon. I am very interested in an Enlighten. I already have a BL Coverhem, which finally seems to be working correctly, although until lately it was a big disappointment. When I bought the Coverhem, they showed me really great things made with it, but the lessons they promised were never delivered. Another dealer in San Francisco will sell me the Enlighten for $1900 and include free lessons on both that machine and the Coverhem. And I saw plenty of proof that the lessons would be very worthwhile!

Last Wednesday I walked into the Pfaff, Brother dealer and found they had added Juki's, including the Juki 1000. It seems like a great machine, although there is no automatic tension adjustment. I couldn't see a difference between the two sergers' output and it would be a savings of $600, and hours of driving since the Pfaff dealer is closer. I have seldom adjusted my old serger and the stitches were always nice; I've always sworn it knew how to do it itself, and I feel very loyal to Juki.

If I don't buy the Enlighten the lessons are $60 an hour, and I would probably still do it. But it's hard to decide what to do. I swore I was going to wait for a good used Enlighten, but here I am again.
  
Member since 4/15/07
Posts: 9121
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Posted on: 1/26/14 10:36 PM ET
I love my Juki serger mainly because of the beautiful stitches but also it is so solid. I haven't seen the 1000 and wonder if it has the same knife system as the rest of the current line up. If so then my vote would be for Juki.
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Janome MC6700 Bernina Q16Plus Bernina 240 Juki MO735 Singer 201-2 Singer 221-1
  
Member since 2/8/09
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Posted on: 1/27/14 6:48 AM ET
I haven't met an Enlighten user that didn't love their machine. But so do the Juki users! Try them both.

I have an Evolution and Enlighten. Its nice to stay with a familiar machine and a good dealer. Those lessons will be quite helpful. But sometimes its nice to have contrasting machines. I'm not much help today!
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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 5/30/13
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Posted on: 1/27/14 7:57 AM ET
Having replaced my old Juki 634de a few months ago, I'd say either machine is going to be great. In your situation I might go for the Juki, I didn't have a coverhem machine and bought a used BL Evolution. I do love it, but I know Juki makes a heck of a serger.
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 7941
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Posted on: 1/27/14 8:13 AM ET
In reply to nestle
A friend of mine loves her Juki serger. And looking at your post, sure you could upgrade and buy the Enlighten, but you wouldn't have those classes (or maybe you would). You could spend the savings by buying the Juki for more stuff. Your question about which one is why I have two Singer sergers and lots of Singer sewing machines....
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"Play the cards you are dealt, but choose who is sitting at the table"..AARP magazine

SEE MY ETSY SHOP HERE: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AuntMaymesAttic
My blog: http://auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com/
  
Member since 6/30/11
Posts: 105
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Posted on: 1/27/14 2:50 PM ET
Thanks everybody. Am I the only one who ever thinks what they would buy if they didn't have a husband watching??? I'd get both the f600 and 1000 Juki's and convince whoever would listen that I easily saved the money on the jeans I made (or intend to). Maybe I'll try that on him anyway.
  
Member since 12/3/06
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Posted on: 1/27/14 3:10 PM ET
Why do you need lessons when you already understand the basics of using a serger successfully?
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 6/30/11
Posts: 105
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Posted on: 1/27/14 9:40 PM ET
The lessons would include the coverhem, and judging from the things the dealer has on display and made in front of me, the lessons would be valuable. I was always too proud to let anybody teach me anything but this list, more than anything, has taught me how much more I have to learn (but the binder for the coverhem still defeats me).
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 5885
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Posted on: 1/31/14 9:38 PM ET
In reply to nestle
Have you looked at the tutorials by Debbie Cook? She uses a BL coverstitch.
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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.
  
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