PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,234 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,234 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
123 
Member since 6/8/13
Posts: 711
Send Message
3 Replies
Posted on: 6/24/14 2:08 PM ET
My elderly Elna 905dx has bitten the dust. I hear 4 thread sergers are less problematic, and I see many have them. I'm primarily a simple garment sewer and used the 905 to simultaneously sew and serge. Can a 4 thread do that?
------
Pfaff 7550, Bernina 185, Elna Carina, Pfaff 5.2
  
Member since 8/2/03
Posts: 7158
Send Message
Posted on: 6/24/14 2:12 PM ET
In reply to textilehappy
Sure! The fourth thread acts as a security stitch. I have a serger that can do five and I don't remember the last time I needed that. Probably never, just to try it when it was new. I use my four thread serger for seams.
------
So many projects, not enough time
At my house in VA:
Bernina Activa 220, Kaffe 475, B790
Singer 201-2, 221, BL Enlighten, BL Acclaim, BL Sashiko, BL Euphoria, Consew 75T, Tipton Boss


At my Lake House in PA:
"new" Bernina B570, Bernina 1010, Singer 503A, BL Evolution

http://sewingtechie.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 12/3/06
Posts: 10072
Send Message
1 Replies
Posted on: 6/24/14 3:12 PM ET
In reply to textilehappy
Visit as many local dealers of various brands to see what they have.

Take some scraps of the fabric you use the most for testing.

Then you decide which one should come home with you.



------
OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 6/8/13
Posts: 711
Send Message
Posted on: 6/24/14 3:22 PM ET
In reply to PattiAnnJ
I've tested many sergers, my dilemma is 4 or 5 threads.
------
Pfaff 7550, Bernina 185, Elna Carina, Pfaff 5.2
  
Member since 12/3/06
Posts: 10072
Send Message
thumbsup 2 likes
Posted on: 6/24/14 3:26 PM ET
Your dilemma can be solved only by you.

What one person swears by may not make you happy.
------
OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 8/2/03
Posts: 7158
Send Message
thumbsup 2 likes
Posted on: 6/24/14 3:34 PM ET
My 5 thread (a Bernina 1300mdc) can also do cover and chain - hense the need for a fifth thread. Most if not all 5 threads have that capability. Changing it back and forth is not all that convenient. I I found recently a bit finicky.

I got a Babylock Enlighten (4 thread) and use it for seams on knits all the time. I just got a Babylock coverstitch to compliment it. The Bernina is now a back up for me.

Hope that helps.
------
So many projects, not enough time
At my house in VA:
Bernina Activa 220, Kaffe 475, B790
Singer 201-2, 221, BL Enlighten, BL Acclaim, BL Sashiko, BL Euphoria, Consew 75T, Tipton Boss


At my Lake House in PA:
"new" Bernina B570, Bernina 1010, Singer 503A, BL Evolution

http://sewingtechie.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 1/12/04
Posts: 6312
Send Message
Posted on: 6/25/14 0:28 AM ET
I use my 3/4 thread serger to finish hems before I sew them and also cut out wovens.
------
Marilyn

January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
  
Member since 6/10/14
Posts: 528
Send Message
Posted on: 6/25/14 3:52 AM ET
In reply to textilehappy
Yes a four thread can sew and serge and I am sure you will be pleased with the results.

I have used Berninas for my serging for more than a decade and I generally only make garments.

These 4 threaded machines are easy to change to three thread and back again if you need to. I personally don't have experience with a 5 thread machine.

Happy sewing/serging
------
2015 Stash In: 219
  
Member since 1/17/14
Posts: 329
Send Message
Posted on: 6/25/14 7:00 AM ET
I do a lot of cover stitch for finishing my garments, so I constantly use my 5 stitch.
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 8572
Send Message
1 Replies
thumbsup 1 like
Posted on: 6/25/14 7:07 AM ET
I've read a lot of complaints about the inconvenience of switching from serging to coverstitch on the do-it-all machines. My preference is a 3/4 thread serger and a separate coverstitch machine. Even the local Bernina dealer urged me not to choose the more expensive (aka profitable) 5-thread machine. Now it's entirely possible that in the years since I bought my machines that someone has come out with a machine that can make the transition quickly and easily; I just haven't read about it yet.
------
“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.

Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?

Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'



  
123 
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Nature's Fabrics
Natural & Organic Fabrics
Specials!
Metro Textiles
NYC Fabric Store
Specials!
Discovery Fabrics
High Performance Fabrics
Specials!