Should I Buy A Serger?

[aprilsails]

I've found a Janome serger on Kijiji that is regularly $650 available for $225 including carrying case, cover and 8 spools of thread.

I don't sew clothes frequently but would like to do it more often.  I'm also terrified of working with knits with my current machine. My machine is really quite slow at zigzag stitching. It is definitely a straight line stitching quilting model workhorse.

So I should get a serger right?  Is this going to lead me down some awful rabbit hole of buying multiple machines? I'm already imagining all the satin stitch edging I can do and how I can finish off the curtains I need to sew for downstairs.

[shortcake2675]

The rabbit hole is awesome. Nice and cozy.

[cmeon]

YES.


Wrong board if you want people to tell you no. Try Money Matters?

[shortcake2675]

And really before you buy that serger, do some googling on the model #. No matter how good of a deal, if I had to do it over again, I might not have bought my huskylock and would have kept looking for a more common machine.

[aprilsails]

Nov 26, 2014 17:47:24 GMT -5 shortcake2675 said:

And really before you buy that serger, do some googling on the model #. No matter how good of a deal, if I had to do it over again, I might not have bought my huskylock and would have kept looking for a more common machine.

I've looked at the photos and as far as I can tell it's a Kenmore (by Janome) which matches exactly the current model that is available from Sears and the Janome website. They just change the decals to make it Kenmore.

The seller has informed me that it is 8 years old and used about 12 times.  Comes with instructional VHS!

[cmeon]

It sounds like MY serger- a Kenmore branded Janome! FWIW, I paid $135 for mine, from Overstock- 5 ish years ago. I don't think Sears carries Kenmore sewing anything anymore, at least in the states- but, the last time I checked, I could find feet there.

[cmeon]

Oh, and at it's highest, the Kenmore ran $299- there are lots of other brands that relabel this exact Serger, so yes, you can find it all over the place for quite a range of prices! I love mine, yes- threading it takes some time to get used to, but, I can do it in my sleep now.

[aprilsails]

Nov 27, 2014 10:53:22 GMT -5 cmeon said:

It sounds like MY serger- a Kenmore branded Janome! FWIW, I paid $135 for mine, from Overstock- 5 ish years ago. I don't think Sears carries Kenmore sewing anything anymore, at least in the states- but, the last time I checked, I could find feet there.

Sears Canada still carries the full line of Kenmore sewing machines. They have two sergers - one that is at $300 and another at $600. The one I would be purchasing is the same as the more expensive model:

Sears Canada Link

It doesn't have the ability to do cover stitching, but based on my research that only comes with $1000+ models. The $225 includes a lot of thread, the machine, a carrying case, and all manuals and information.

[shortcake2675]

I have the ability to do cover stitching. I have to ask my husband to rethread it and it's not a fun day when we do. Coverstitch only machine seem like a better option.

[cmeon]

I have a separate coverstitch machine, and LOVE having it. I sometimes want a different color for the coverstitch and the seams. A coverstitch machine is insanely easy to thread compared to a serger. And I don't even like going back and forth between a rolled hem and a regular overedge serge stitch- it's not that hard, just drop the knife, turn a few tensioner dials, and slide the switch- but, I'm laaaaazy.

[adhdfashion]

Sergers are awesome. I have two. Personally I have been a eyeing the new Juki home serger. It's like $350 brand new, full price. It is built like an industrial. Which means it will hold tension and be a lifetime machine. Check it out! I think I like better than my $1000+ Pfaff serger.

[aprilsails]

Hmmm. After speaking to a girlfriend here I'm going to pass in it for now and do some more sewing with knits without for a little while to see how often I am actually going to do it. I make pretty limited clothing, and most of the clothing I make is dresses, so not knits either generally.

She also reminded me yesterday about how much spending money we are going to need for our trip to Austin for Quiltcon and how I will likely find some stuff there that I have to have. Smart lady.

[Redpoppy]

Nov 30, 2014 10:46:25 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

Hmmm. After speaking to a girlfriend here I'm going to pass in it for now and do some more sewing with knits without for a little while to see how often I am actually going to do it. I make pretty limited clothing, and most of the clothing I make is dresses, so not knits either generally.

She also reminded me yesterday about how much spending money we are going to need for our trip to Austin for Quiltcon and how I will likely find some stuff there that I have to have. Smart lady.

She is very wise regarding quiltcon . I'm trying to decide what suitcase to bring given previous issues with buying something too long for a suitcase.

I'm interested in a serger but I can zigzag to finish a non-knit seam just as easily. I think a straight stitch only machine will come first.

[hunniapple]

My Singer does cover stitch and I think it runs about $500?

[mdana]

This is making me twitchy for another machine.