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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Serger Advice Please  |
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NotQuiteJuneCleaver
True Blue Farmgirl
222 Posts
Susan
Shreveport
LA
USA
222 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 02:33:31 AM
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I am finally seriously considering getting a serger. I have wanted one for a long time and the more sewing I do, the more I think I would actually put one to use. I know there are certain features that are a must and some that are nice but not necessary. If you have experience with owning/using one, please advise me on what to look for and why you love the one you have (or dislike it for that matter!) Thanks in advance I have been reading online but I thought my fellow farmgirls might not mind giving me their opinions.
Thanks so much and dont forget to stop by my blog. I am doing a multi item giveaway!
Susan ~ FARMGIRL SISTER #15
AKA TheSoapMaven who lost nearly 700 posts by changing her name! :(
http://www.thesoapmaven.com http://www.notquitejunecleaver.com
There is immeasurable value in what I do. I won't ever believe otherwise. |
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khartquilt
True Blue Farmgirl
1176 Posts
USA
1176 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 04:50:26 AM
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Good morning! A new serger?? Thats great. I think that anyone who makes clothing should have one. It finishes the seams nicely.
What to get??
At the least get one with four threads. More threads is nicer.
Your machine should be able to do a simple rolled hem, and a cover stitch.
yes I know you can roll the hem on your sewing machine and if you use a twin needle you can do a cover stitch on your regular sewing machine too.
Some brands offer an air flow self threader. I have been told that they can clog if you use cheap threads or wooly threads. That is a trip to the sewing shop. Money that could have been spent at the fabric shop.
But most important...make sure the shop offers you a few lessons. Threading the machine can be very hard. But once you have done it a few times, its a piece of cake.
Good luck with your purchase.
Kathy H
Farmgirl Sister #81
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world..." (anomymous)
http://khartquilt.blogspot.com |
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soapmommy60543
True Blue Farmgirl
2197 Posts
Ann
Oswego
IL
USA
2197 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 05:26:54 AM
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Speaking of threading the machine...
While I do not own one (at least not yet) when I was looking a while back the lady at the store told me to be sure you get one you can thread easily. When you are dealing with that many threads, that is extremely important.
Hope that helps!
Ann in Oswego
Times may be tough, but farmgirls are tougher!
Craft Fasting since October 21, 2008 |
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nut4fabric
True Blue Farmgirl
885 Posts
Kathy
Morgan Hill
CA
USA
885 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 07:21:24 AM
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I have a BabyLock Esante and wouldn't trade it for the world. The air flow threader has been a dream and though used frequently has been trouble free.
Kathy |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 08:58:21 AM
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I agree with Bonne and Kathy I have one of each one I have to tye the threads together to rethread and one that has the air flow threader. 4 threads is the way to go I think baby lock makes a very good product but I know there are others out there. I have mine set up next to the sewing mahine. Jst remembe to watch the rest of the fabric when you sew as it won't give a darn what it will sew and also trim to 1/4 inch. And pins are a serger killer you will need to get use to either not using them or turn them so the are not poking into the sewing field.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 09:43:31 AM
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If I were in the market for a new serger, I'd get a jet threading serger. It's air-threaded with jets of air. I have an old serger and when that puppy unthreads or a thread breaks, it's a pain to rethread. I do the tie-on method to change colors too. Of course, I know my machine backwards and forwards after owning it so long so it's nothing I can't tackle but it's not the fun part about it! Please visit Pattern Review website and read up on the Babylock serger (it's one of those jet threaders)...think it's called a Dream-something and go try some out at your local machine store. I love having a serger and hope to always have one. No raveling and professional looking seams. I also make heavy-duty stuff on the serger with my needle felted fleece. I like that it minimizes bulky seams. Do you need one to sew? No, but they are nice. I know it's almost a luxury item for sewing but I hope to never be without one.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 5:56:21 PM
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Susan, I have a Singer that my hubby got for me 4 1/2 years ago and personally I would be lost without it! I would agree with everyone to find one that is easy to thread! Mine is fairly simple! It has a very clear diagram for which thread goes where! The Singers don't seem to get too good of a review anymore, but I have not ever had trouble with mine and I just recently bought new cutting blades for it! It came from Walmart and price wise it was inexpensive compared with other models! I have see Babylocks at a good price through Nancy's Notions!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
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NotQuiteJuneCleaver
True Blue Farmgirl
222 Posts
Susan
Shreveport
LA
USA
222 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2008 : 05:02:28 AM
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Thanks for all the input...though now I am a bit scared!!! Maybe I should just stick with what I have! I will talk it over with hubby a bit more before I decide. I am not willing to pay too too much - not knowing how well I will do with it. Better keep thinking and reading!
Susan ~ FARMGIRL SISTER #15
AKA TheSoapMaven who lost nearly 700 posts by changing her name! :(
http://www.thesoapmaven.com http://www.notquitejunecleaver.com
There is immeasurable value in what I do. I won't ever believe otherwise. |
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khartquilt
True Blue Farmgirl
1176 Posts
USA
1176 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2008 : 05:53:21 AM
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Susan,
Do not be afraid of the serger!
With just a little time no matter which machine you purchase, you will learn the ins and outs. Don't be discouraged because of what you read here. I believe, like with most equipment, it’s the users fault, not the equipments fault. But with time, whether it’s an air flow or a manual threading, you can become an expert on your machine.
We all have our own preference. We all have horror stories. And we all have happy endings.
Take a trip to the sewing shop again. Tell them your concerns. See if they will let you sit in on a lesson. See if the shop offers a trade up. I purchased a used Elna. I had the option to trade it in at cost for a different machine within the year. That first couple of months my husband was threading it for me, (he is an engineer, “Mr. Mechanical” sometimes know as "Mr. Always Right". But thats a different story) Well, I still have that Elna. I love it. I now have no problem threading it from scratch. My sister has a babylock. 5 threads. Jet air flow. She loves it. One of the ladies in my sewing club has this monster of an "industrial" size machine. I don't even know the name/brand of it. And she loves it.
Think about it for a while.
Kathy H
Farmgirl Sister #81
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world..." (anomymous)
http://khartquilt.blogspot.com |
Edited by - khartquilt on Nov 16 2008 05:55:13 AM |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2008 : 08:00:27 AM
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Ditto Ditto Ditto what Kathy said!!!!
Just do it!
The most beautiful thing you will experience is the ease with which you can sew knits. KNITS!! NO PROBLEM!!
You seem an expert and everything looks professional. You'll be looking all over for things to serge! lol
 http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2008 : 09:07:59 AM
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I LOVE my serger and wouldn't be without one! But I'm like Shari...when a thread breaks, it sends me over the top because they are frustrating to thread and it's always in the middle of a project. I have a great diagram printed right on my machine and yes, I know how to do it but it's a real pain in the brain--tweezers and flashlight, etc. If I were in the market for a new one, I would only look at the air threading ones. If you can have all of the wonderful attributes of a serger PLUS no frustration threading--the best of everything! Susan, I can promise you, you'll love having a serger if you like to sew at all. They are really really useful and you'll wonder how you ever did without it after having one a while.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2008 : 9:40:48 PM
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I think it all depends on how much you sew clothes? Do you do that a lot? Do you use knits a lot? Because if you don't it may sit there and not get used and any more they are kinda pricey. I do use heavier threads on mine and I do nice edges on blankets and napkins and stuff like that there. But I do not like to sew clothes so it probably does not get used as much as others use theres. and remember it sews in a straight line , it does not pivot like a sewing machine can. So turning things and going down the other side can not be done with ease. Just a few things to think about before spending that much money. Beverley
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2008 : 07:39:21 AM
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I make lots of home decor items with my serger too in addition to clothes and purses and dog coats, etc. I believe it is only limited by your imagination--doesn't that sound like an advertisement? Again, you might not use it for the entire project unless it's knit fabric but it's great to use for seaming. You can then topstitch with your regular SM.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Serger Advice Please |
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Serger Advice Please
