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Stitching & Crafting Room:  I Want A Serger -- Any Advice?  |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 06 2006 : 08:49:26 AM
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I've decided that I'd like to have a serger. There are things that I make that would be so much niceer with finished seams. I do zigzag on my sewing machine but it just doesn't look the same. So I don't need anything really fancy. I know nothing about sergers -- any tips or recommendations from those that have them?
I choose faith not fear.
Lotion bars, linen water & more in my online shop! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2006 : 08:53:24 AM
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My husband ( yes I said husband) owns a Neccki he likes it and so do I it has all meatal parts inside which makes it very durable.
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe
http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com/
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Edited by - sunshine on Jul 06 2006 2:49:13 PM |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2006 : 09:24:14 AM
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dont get a gemsi. too complicated. i hate mine. i think i may get rid of it. i rarely use it.
"I would not interfere with any creed of yours or want to appear that I have all the cures. There is so much to know...so many things are true. The way my feet must go may not be best for you. And so I give this spark of what is light to me, to guide you through the dark, but not tell you
what you must see."
-Author Unknown
"Contradiction is not a sign of falsity, nor the lack of contradiction a sign of truth."
— Blaise Pascal
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose |
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UrbanChick
True Blue Farmgirl
331 Posts
Ayako
Atlanta
GA
USA
331 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2006 : 09:30:15 AM
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I have a Babylock Evolve. Very easy to use but extremely expensive. I paid Approx $1850 for it. If you want easy top of the line it's the way to go. I had a White Superlock 2000 ATS it was a nice one and fairly easy to thread it was only $300 but you can find them used for about $150.
"Courage dosen't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying: I will try again tomorrow." |
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berries
True Blue Farmgirl
475 Posts
gloria g
Florida
USA
475 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2006 : 09:44:31 AM
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I'm a quilter and serge all my quilt top edges, and make pillow cases for gifts! I love my 700D Bernina. Runs around $500.00. I think most sergers are hard to thread! But I wouldn't be without one!
Enjoy,
gloria g.
Richards, TX
strawberry fields forever and ever! |
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JanO
True Blue Farmgirl
53 Posts
Jan
Washington
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2006 : 2:46:22 PM
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I have an old Singer serger, can't even remember the name of it, but I don't like it. I have been looking into getting a Babylock though. I hear that they are very easy to thread and although they are expensive, they are worth it. When I buy something like a sewing machine I plan on using it forever. So when I finally decide to get a new serger I will be getting one that will last forever.
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KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2006 : 4:11:39 PM
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Kay,
I purchased a 4 thread Babylock (elite I think)back in the 80's and still use it from time to time.
I did alot of research before I bought it. this one is very durable and have not had any problems with it since I bought it.
I got it thru a dealer, and am not sorry I did.
He has been great for advice and good needles.
I think you should try using a couple at a fabric store if the have a demo or at a dealer. Even bring along the type of fabrics you are going to used the most of, to demo the machines.
just my 2 cents
KarenP
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
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ktknits
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Kathy
Northwest Indiana
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 05:10:04 AM
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What is the difference between a serger, sewing machine, electronic sewing machines, computerized sewing machine, quilting machine, embroidery machine, and others? Are they all the same basic machines but with different features & attachments that make them more "friendly" to one type of sewing or another? I saw a Singer model 7466 on sale at Joanne fabrics for $269 that I was thinking about getting.
I want to be able to piece quilt tops, machine quilt, sew aprons and basic clothing, maybe placemats, maybe curtains, maybe seat covers or slipcovers. No tailoring, no wedding dresses, I'm not a professional sewer - beginner/intermediate at best, but I want to do more and improve my skills/confidence. Quilting is probably going to be the primary sewing project. Oh, and I make teddy bears too, so I would be sewing the fur material (bulky).
I looked around at comparisons on the internet, and read the back pages here on sewing machines & advice, and I'm still wondering. I called our local sewing shop, and they sell only Viking. I know that is a good brand, but I kind of hate not having the comparison of other machines. I called our local quilt shop and she said she'd go with a Janome or Viking or Pfaff or Bernina, and she recommended that I talk to their repair man. I called him and he said I could get a Janome 6600 for $1200, and that should be a very good machine that I could use now and "grow into".
My problem is that price is a far cry from the Singer at $269. If I sewed all the time or was planning to make a living sewing, then it would probably be worth it. The other thing I'm hesitant about is would I be overbuying if it get the Janome? Meaning would I be paying for a lot of bells & whistles that I'd never use. On the other hand, I want to be able to enjoy sewing so I want something that isn't going to give me a lot of trouble, somthing that makes the sewing easier, and I may find that I will want some of those bells & whistles once I get going, so I don't want to "underbuy" just to get away cheaper.
And what about a serger? Why get a serger instead of a sewing machine? Or would you get a serger along with a sewing machine? Does it do something completely different? I know these are a lot of questions, but I know you all have a lot more knowledge in this area than I do!
http://ktknits.blogspot.com |
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queenofdreamsz4u
True Blue Farmgirl
3845 Posts
Stephanie Suzanne
Smoky Mountains Tennessee
USA
3845 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 08:37:45 AM
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Hey Kathy,
A serger gives the professional overcast finish to your fabric edges as well as lots of other features like rolled hems, lettuce edge, etc.
A sewing machine/embroidery machine combo will give you the best of both worlds. You will have a large choice of decorative stitches for sewing and then you can plug in the embroidery module and sew out embroidery designs using the Embroidery design cards that plug into the machine and you can also buy the module that hooks to your computer that allows you to download designs from the internet onto a blank card that will plug into your embroidery machine.
I have the Babylock Estante sewing/embroidery machine and love it! I go in spells with the embroidery and it's nice to have in the event you to play....LOL
Anyway, my machine when it was new cost over $4000 back in 1999....I saw one just like mine on Ebay about a month ago close out at less than $550.00.....
The nice part about these major brand higher priced machines is that you will always have access to cleaning and maintenance for them...Even if you don't buy it through a dealer they will still service it for you at their regular rate.
Most Sewing Machine shops have used machines that others have traded in for an upgrade model...and there is usually never anything wrong with them....the prices are very good and alot of dealers will give you a Lay-a-way plan to buy one or a 90 day same as cash plan.
You pay more going in but you've got a machine that will last you a lifetime.
If you want economy and new then Janome has several entry level machine..even a few that are not electronic....meaning you will manually turn knobs for all of your settings...the electronic models give you the ease of a touch screen or buttons that switch the settings for you.
Actually, most all of the high dollar machine dealers have entry level machines in all of the brands...they may not stock all of them or show them to you first but they are available if you know what to ask for...You can research at the online main sites for the different machines and see the entry levels and then call the local dealer and ask for pricing....
Also the big thing is to always ask what kind of promotion the different brands are offering right now...that can really save you a lot of cash..
That's how I wound up with my Janome Needlefelting machine (I can make my own Wool Felt)...they had a promotion and I got the machine for $150 less than retail plus extra needles, etc...
Sergers are wonderful! I couldn't ask the price for some of my items that I do if they didn't include these professional finishing details.
Sooo..there's my 2 cents worth 
Peace, Stephanie
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com
A Creative Journey
"hold close your inner child and always listen to the gentle whispers" ~queenofdreamsz
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cinnamongirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1682 Posts
Carrie
Canada
1682 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 08:43:50 AM
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| Take classes! Or it will be in closet with mine, unless you have a lot of patience. Threading is the hardest part i think. |
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Lizabeth
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Washington
560 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 08:55:42 AM
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Oh wow Kathy! You raise so many questions...
I own the Viking 936. It is a computerized serger. You tell the machine what stitch you want and what fabric you are using; it then sets your stitch length and differential and "advises" you on how to set your thread tension (which can vary from what is reccomended if you are using special threads). When I took my new owner class, I really saw the value of the computer advising. The students who had the lower models spent a lot more time fixing their settings to acheive the right stitch. Here is a link to Viking's overlocks: http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/us/421.htm
I for many years thought sergers were a short cut machine and not worth owning. But I was completely wrong. A serger does much much more than only finishing edges of material. You can even do heirloom sewing! (pintucks, lace insertion... check out: http://store.marthapullen.com/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=1586&category_id=20c1033bdca40523fcf7cff7da248886& ) I just went to a Martha Pullen instructor's trunk show where she showed off the items you can make in her classes. I cannot describe to you how beautiful they are. And when working with light weight batiste there is nothing like the serged rolled edge for seams.
The book I'd reccomend getting from the library to see what a serger does is by Nancy Zieman, Serge with Confidence http://www.nancysnotions.com/NNVia/viaImagePageTacony.jsp?row=2&pgName=viaListProducts.jsp&searchText=CFSE&modifer=CFSE&reqTitle=TITLE_VIAUSERDOCLIST&stackTitle=Sewing%20With%20Nancy%20Books&newWindow=Y
It will help you in knowing what a serger is capable of for the basic construction of decor and garments.
Myself, I chose to stay with my lower model no bells and whistles sewing machine that cost under $400 dollars and go for the expensive top of the line serger. Because when I saw what the 936 was capable of I was quite impressed. You can attach elastic, lace, do hemming, attach piping or cording, you can decorative top stitch patterns... I could go on and on, but check out viking's site and see what stitches are available. It will blow you away.
btw I am partial to Viking because I have a long family history with owning machines from this company. You cannot go wrong with their quality and ease of use.
I am currently drooling over their new sewing machine, the sapphire. oh, sigh. what a beautiful machine. and a 10" bed! that's incredible! But I do not need a new machine... I do not need a new machine... I do not need a new machine...
Each of the machines you mentioned have particular functions; and yes, they are specific to the type of sewing you see yourself doing (ie quilting v. home decor). I found the most versatility with a serger.
http://www.handcraftsbyheather.com |
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ktknits
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Kathy
Northwest Indiana
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 08:55:58 AM
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Thanks so much for the info, Stephanie and Lizabeth (or Heather)! I just want to know a little about what I need to look for and ask before I seriously shop, and you've given me lots of ideas--Thanks!
http://ktknits.blogspot.com |
Edited by - ktknits on Jun 26 2007 08:59:42 AM |
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littlegreen
True Blue Farmgirl
68 Posts
Katelyn
Spanish Fork
UT
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 09:02:20 AM
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okay, so I have to say I didn't get a chance to read all of the replies... but I had to add my two cents:
I have a JUKI and I looooove it! Would never trade it for the world!!! Thanks for listening... my SIL got a Juki too and she loves hers too, I use it all the time and have never had any problems. It is very user friendly too! good luck, you will love one once you get one!
www.littlegreendesigns.com ~ handbound blank books, purses, jewelry, and other fun stuff for the naturist in you! |
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Lizabeth
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Washington
560 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 09:04:06 AM
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Stephanie and I must have been writing at the same time... I just take longer to post because I keep pulling the 18 mo ds off the table where he wants to spill my coffee, rustle the newspaper, spill my pins... ;)
IMHO, I would not recommend an embroidery machine to a self described beginner/intermediate sewer. The cost of materials can be quite overwhelming when you add up stabilizer, thread and other necessary notions. Certainly at some point you may look at this option, but if you see yourself doing more construction of projects, I wouldn't look at embelishment just yet.
But that's just me!
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Lizabeth
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Washington
560 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 09:05:25 AM
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gloria, when you serge your quilt tops, how do you get the adjacent seams to line up? any tips for this?
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Kathie
True Blue Farmgirl
2436 Posts
Kathie
Thonotosassa
Florida
USA
2436 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 1:55:44 PM
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Carrie there we go Sweetie.. Feel a bit like lookingin from an intervention program that went bad don't ya??
Serger.. Fooey!! I just don't know what this thing wants from me in our relationship .. We don't even talk anymore.. i don't think we can go on like this for much longer.. I'm thinking divorce.. or a very long seperation.. i need some time..
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
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smoothiejuice
True Blue Farmgirl
6309 Posts
Jessica
Bloomington
Indiana
USA
6309 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 3:35:27 PM
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| Darnnit Kathie...go take a class and stop belly achin'!!! You can post pics, now learn to use your serger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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ktknits
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Kathy
Northwest Indiana
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 5:29:19 PM
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Boy, you're stalkin' poor Kathie all over the board, aren't you Jess !!!!!!!!!!
Kathy T
runnin' & duckin' ;)
http://ktknits.blogspot.com |
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queenofdreamsz4u
True Blue Farmgirl
3845 Posts
Stephanie Suzanne
Smoky Mountains Tennessee
USA
3845 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 7:59:49 PM
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I'm a gadget gal at heart  I would never have considered just a sewing machine to start with...that would have been way too restrictive for me..LOL I like to have one of everything just in case I get the urge to try it.... It's been a 10 year and growing acquisition so far as the machine and gadgets go...
I have a friend in Mobile, AL that has a sewing shop and studio and has been a licensed Bernina instructor for 20 years. She pulled in the Bernina dealership as well as the Singer dealership.
So we are talking one extreme to the other in price range. She says that the Singer sewing/embroidery machine that sells for around $650 or less at some places is a very nice machine for entry level sewers.
Lizabeth, you are right about the cost of supplies...What I could buy for $25 three years ago now cost at least $50..I collected my Embroidery thread as the years went by and you can get such great deals for everything online these days so it's fun to shop for all those gadgets.
And as Elizabeth (Botanical Bath) pointed out the resources for buying so many products at wholesale or close to it are very appealing for everyone that is more or less a part of the "cottage industry" business. It's really never been easier to start your own homebased internet business with the large wholesalers offering buying programs for the "designers" that can't buy in large quantities.
The Cottage Industry businesses in the USA are one of the fastest growing segments of new business so the Big Boys finally got down to reality and realized how much business they are losing by not selling to us.
Anyone that enjoys the cotton bastite, microchecks, cashmere cottons, etc. can also buy direct from Spechler-Vogel..I know their minimum has increased through the years but I think it's still a minimum of 3-4 bolts..they can all be different...You will have to have your state tad id number though..
Peace, Stephanie
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com
A Creative Journey
"hold close your inner child and always listen to the gentle whispers" ~queenofdreamsz
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cinnamongirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1682 Posts
Carrie
Canada
1682 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 8:15:22 PM
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Well Kathie it looks as though we should take a class together. I just keep mine covered and locked in closet, that way I can sleep at night. Its ok I think you just gotta let that serger know once and for all who is BOSS. Still waiting on that tutorial though lalalalalal |
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cinnamongirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1682 Posts
Carrie
Canada
1682 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 8:17:18 PM
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| Actually a serger is handy you really should take any help they offer to teach you how to use it though! |
Edited by - cinnamongirl on Jun 26 2007 8:39:20 PM |
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Kathie
True Blue Farmgirl
2436 Posts
Kathie
Thonotosassa
Florida
USA
2436 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 8:42:50 PM
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Yes Kathy.. She IS pretty hateful to me at times.. ISN"T SHE??
You'd never know she really loves me to pieces!! The little brat!
I adore her too of course.. or I'd be threatening to bank her off the wall by now..
One of these day's Carrie... we will have beautifuly finished garments & projects!!! Can you just see it now!! ?
ok.. I must have dosed off!
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
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smoothiejuice
True Blue Farmgirl
6309 Posts
Jessica
Bloomington
Indiana
USA
6309 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2007 : 2:42:56 PM
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Kathie..You know I love you and cannot resist the urge to throw in a cheeky little comment here and there...and everywhere it seems!! 
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Stitching & Crafting Room: I Want A Serger -- Any Advice? |
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I Want A Serger -- Any Advice?
