| Author |
Stitching & Crafting Room:  Should I buy a Serger  |
|
|
Sweet Harvest Homestead
True Blue Farmgirl
279 Posts
Lindy
Stanfield
NC
USA
279 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 15 2007 : 7:19:45 PM
|
For any of you ladies who make drapes, curtains, etc....
I wondered if you used a serger? I have always made most of my curtains and pretty soon I will be making more for our new house.
I own a good sewing machine and have used that in the past for curtain making but I was wondering if you think a serger would be a good and helpful investment?
Thank you,
Lindy
www.sweetharvesthomestead.typepad.com |
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2007 : 7:23:35 PM
|
I have never owned a serger, in fact I am new to the whole sewing machine. I think you will get split answers on this because it seems half of the ladies love their sergers and half are afraid of them! :)
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora!
http://home.test-afl.tulix.com/aleeandnora/ |
 |
|
|
Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
|
|
BotanicalBath
True Blue Farmgirl
1014 Posts
Elizabeth
Ohio
1014 Posts |
|
|
Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2007 : 9:08:05 PM
|
I got mine from Nancy's Notions, but I also saw Singer's at Walmart today for under $200.
They've become so affordable now.
If anyone wants a couple tips with them that I've learned, here goes:
1) when changing cones of thread, don't rethread the machine, just clip the old cone thread at the cone and slip the new cone on it's holder and tie the new thread to the old thread (already threaded through the machine) Set your tensions to "0" and run the machine pulling the knitted threads until the new thread appears past the needles. Sounds complicated,it's not, but it's easier than rethreading.
2) I usually use just 2 thread colors. White for light color fabrics and black for darker color fabrics. You aren't constantly changing cones(4 of them)and you just have to stock up on 2 colors. (watch for Joann's 1/2 off sale on cone thread and get them for a buck each, then load up)
The stitching isn't visible on the outside of the piece you're sewing anyway and you can use matching colored thread with your regular machine for any required hemming and topstitching.
http://www.bonne1313.homestead.com/spiritspace.htmlSoap
http://groups.msn.com/spiritspaceCrafting Group |
|
|
|
Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2007 : 9:14:51 PM
|
Bonne I totally agree with you. I LOVE my serger. The seams lie flat and usually do not pucker at all. The serger also removes alot of pesky bulk and when you do a curve, it cuts it and binds it and they are so nice on the outside of the garment.....LOVE MINE!! Got it as a used machine at a sewing machine shop.
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
http://auntgeorge.etsy.com
"Made With Love" |
|
|
|
MsCwick
True Blue Farmgirl
775 Posts
Cristine
Farmville
Virginia
USA
775 Posts |
|
|
Lizabeth
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Washington
560 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2007 : 10:37:40 PM
|
I am one of the ladies who loves loves her serger. I own the viking 936 (http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/us/421.htm). This is an incredible serger. I have so enjoyed using it.
However, the serger is not a "heavy duty" machine. I, um, actually overwhelmed my poor serger with a mistake that in retrospect was rather obvious. I was making a set of pillow shams that have a gathered ruffle, piping, facing and two layers of fabric. hee hee. much too much for a serger. So I now also own the mega quilter: http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/us/3537.htm
That was not a purchase I expected to make, but wow am I glad I did. This is an incredible machine. It sewed through all those layers with no problems what so ever.
So, yes, get a serger. Sergers are fabulous not just for basic hems but for decorative stitches and even heirloom sewing (one of my recent finds that I can't wait to make projects from: http://store.marthapullen.com/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=1586&category_id=20c1033bdca40523fcf7cff7da248886&). Just keep in mind if you do heavy home decor a serger is not the best option.
For serger or other machine reviews check out sewing.patternreview.com
Thanks for your patience with the long post. As you can tell I am passionate about sewing!
|
|
|
|
Sweet Harvest Homestead
True Blue Farmgirl
279 Posts
Lindy
Stanfield
NC
USA
279 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2007 : 05:43:27 AM
|
Lizabeth and all of the other ladies,
Thank you so much for your input. This helps so much.
Now, Lizabeth when you say heavey home decor... That would be the reason for my purchase. I am going to make my curtains for our new place. I won't be using any really heavy fabrics, but I will be using some drapery fabric and putting in a liner. Do you think it would be too much for one?
www.sweetharvesthomestead.typepad.com |
|
|
|
Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2007 : 08:42:27 AM
|
I am on the side of those who are "scared of it"! My sister-in-law got one for Christmas last year, though, and I have seen her use it and it is AMAZING! She admitted she was scared at first, but her husband got it from Joanne's and they offer free classes on how to use it! She swallowed her pride and took the classes and I think it really paid off. She is really comfortable with it and it makes a project go so much faster!
"There is a Happy Dale far, far away. . ." -Arsenic and Old Lace |
|
|
|
Lizabeth
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Washington
560 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2007 : 09:00:34 AM
|
Two layers (upholstery weight/home decor weight plus lining) would not be too much, at least not for the viking machine I own. Honestly, I would take into your dealer the weight of fabric you would be serging and see which machine works best for you.
I love to make pillows and such on the serger, and it does fine with two to three layers of upholstery weight fabric.
Probably the most amazing thing about a serger is that you can do a rolled edge for light weight fabric seams (sheers) all the way up to a 4 thread overlock for denim. just so many possibilities!
I just finished serging and sewing a whole bedroom set... comforter, lined valance, pillow shams, bathroom valance and drape. I did some of the seams on the serger, some on the new mega quilter. Using these two machines in tamdem, the set turned out gorgeous. I will be taking pictures this next week and I can post some if you'd like. I could have done everything with just my basic sewing machine and the serger, but with the ruffle and with the piping it was too much for the serger. I really liked the fact that the serger trims the seam allowance as you sew, so for the comforter especially this made everything a lot simpler (perfect 1/4 seam allowance :) )
http://www.handcraftsbyheather.com |
|
|
|
tziporra
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Robin
Seattle
WA
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2007 : 10:28:37 AM
|
I've had a serger for six years now (a Viking, and a real workhorse), and I find the more experienced I get at sewing, the less I use it. Not that there isn't a place for serged seams in my repetoire, but in so many cases a different finish is the "right" answer.
However, I do mostly garment construction rather than home dec, so your needs may be different than mine. Primarily, I use my serger on 1) knits and 2) alterations for clients where the seams were originally serged.
Otherwise I'm inclined toward felled seams, french seams, pinked seams (in lined garments), bound seams, and on and on. Maybe I just have a fetish with seam finishing? It's possible. I do like a serge rolled hem on a tablecloth, though, and I wish more and more that I had the serger with a coverstitch so that I could do a decent hem on knits (right now I do a twin needle hem and trim close to stitching, the serger never gets close to the hem).
Would I buy my serger again (it was a gift, actually)? Absolutely. In my line of work (alterations and custom sewing) - it's a must. Do I think it's a must for all sewers? Probably not. If I was told that I could only have one machine for the rest of my life would I be able to live with only my standard machine? You better believe it.
My two cents.
Robin |
|
|
|
Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2007 : 10:48:59 AM
|
I don't know about the sewing machine, but wanted to tell you that I was looking at your site and I see the house is moving along. How exciting!!!
NANCY Jo
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
queenofdreamsz4u
True Blue Farmgirl
3845 Posts
Stephanie Suzanne
Smoky Mountains Tennessee
USA
3845 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2007 : 12:51:57 PM
|
Living without my serger would be like living without my good coffee and I couldn't do that! LOL
The serger has unlimited technique abilities whenever you wish to learn them but just the simple use of the "overcast" stitch on your fabrics during the construction process adds durability, stability and a professional touch.
When I slowed down on handsewing about 10 years ago and started machine sewing it took me all of about 3 months to realize that "zigzag" seam finish wasn't gonna fly! LOL
Anyway, there is a very wide range of machines and prices so the market offers something for everyone and if you buy from a sewing machine shop they will give you lessons.
Talk to ya later, Stephanie
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.blogspot.com
"hold close your inner child and always listen to the gentle whispers" ~queenofdreamsz
|
|
|
|
Sweet Harvest Homestead
True Blue Farmgirl
279 Posts
Lindy
Stanfield
NC
USA
279 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2007 : 1:03:49 PM
|
Wow,
I certainly am glad that I asked you ladies. The Serger has been somewhat of a mystery machine to me and you all have helped me see what it does.
I think I will go to JoAnne's and ask to see one in action. It sounds to me, with ALL of the curtains that I will be making... this would be a big time saver.
Lucky to be part of such a talented and knowledgeable groupd of farmgirls.
Thanks to all of you.
Hugs,
Lindy
www.sweetharvesthomestead.typepad.com |
|
|
| |
Stitching & Crafting Room: Should I buy a Serger |
|
Should I buy a Serger
