Serger?

[blondemomma007]

Anyone have one they like? Pros/ cons?

[aprilsails]

I very recently bought the Brother 1134D. I bought it on resale for $300. It worked perfectly the first time, had been easy to rethread the two times I've done it.

I researched a whole pile and this was a pretty commonly recommended starter model along with the 1034.

[shortcake2675]

I picked up a 1034D when I broke my Huskylock 1002LCD. It's probably repairable, but I was on a time crunch and kind of hate the Huskylock. Amazon had it for $200. It's been a dream to use, but lacks some of the features of my Huskylock. Features I was not skilled at using, honestly. And it's far easier to thread. I think it will work well for the 4 times a year I use it. Two birthdays, Halloween, and Christmas. I should really get into making more clothes.

[justinlove]

I also have a 1034d (have had it for 7 years now). It works fine for what I need it to do. I use it to finish all seams on wovens and to sew knits. I frequently use the rolled hem settings to finish edges for ruffles as well. It has a ruffle foot and some other attachments--but honestly, I never use them. There are a lot of blogs/youtube support posts for it so finding "help" online is a snap.

[cmeon]

My serger is a Janome (rebadged as a Kenmore), my coverstitch machine is a Brother- there is definitely a build quality difference between the two (my serger is sturdier than my coverstitch machine), but, the 1034d is what I generally recommend as it's just SO popular (tons of resources online). And mine isn't made inexpensively ($130 shipped 7.5 ish years ago) anymore, though, it's still selling under other brand names.

If money isn't a concern, air/jet threading IS pretty cool. Hand threading a serger isn't a big deal, though- just be patient (and you never have to rethread if you're lucky and don't break threads- you can just tie on new colors).

ETA: As shortcake2675 mentioned, the 1034d (and my own) max out at 4 threads- to get a cover stitch (the hems you see on t-shirts, around necklines, and in lots of sport-y knitwear can't be done on any 4 thread that I've seen. You can find it on 5 and 6 thread sergers, but, it's a PITA to swap between serging and cover stitching (and you will have to do it multiple times to make a simple tee) with plate changes- it's much easier (and often not more expensive) to just get a 4 thread serger and a dedicated coverstitch machine if you find yourself sewing with knits often.

[adhdfashion]

I really like the juki serger and cover stitch machines lately. They are work horses and very reasonable.

[shortcake2675]

cmeon- if I can fix the looper issue on my husky, I'll set it up as a coverstitch. A coverstitch was on my list, but i bought the serger in a hurry.

[winecat]

Amazon is selling the Brother 1034 serger tomorrow on Prime Day. I want a serger but I'm just learning to sew....

[winecat]

I bought the Brother that was on Prime Day. I'm excited to receive it. I have no idea what I'm doing. lol

[schrodinger]

Jul 12, 2017 10:40:09 GMT -5 winecat said:

I bought the Brother that was on Prime Day. I'm excited to receive it. I have no idea what I'm doing. lol

I got it too!  Too many good reviews at too good of a price to pass up.  Mine should be here tomorrow.  I have two Gemma's that I've been waiting to make, I'm excited to have a serger for finishing these!  I've been googling videos and tutorials all day in anticipation.

[freezorburn]

I have a Juki. Got it on sale at my local sewing/vacuum supply store. I've only made one project with it so far, and pretty happy with it. Easy to learn once I was able to carve out the time.

[cmeon]

winecat, schrodinger, have you had any time to play with your new toys?

[dragon's breath]

I also bought that serger on Prime day! Haven't had a chance to set it up now, but I have a couple quilts keeping me busy at the moment. I'm hoping I can use it for aprons and stockings, but I need to learn it first. And, if not, I want to make more of my own shirts, so it isn't going to waste.

(As an aside... if you are trying to sew knits on a regular sewing machine, use a "stretch needle". I was given this advice and it works great! Not sure if this translates to a serger yet.)

[schrodinger]

Jul 28, 2017 7:34:31 GMT -5 cmeon said:

winecat, schrodinger, have you had any time to play with your new toys?

No finished products yet, just some non-wearable muslins. I've been struggling to get a broad back adjustment just right which has given me lots of opportunities to practice serging on! It's a lot of fun to use, although the faster speed really throws me off at first. Sewing knits is a dream, I have a few t shirt patterns I've been putting off until now.

I don't find threading to be too bad, but patience is required. I didn't realize that only the thread on the furthest left needle shows on the finished side. This saved me from buying a ton of cones of new thread. I keep the loopers in a neutral grey and just swap out the needle thread.

For anyone new to serging, I suggest listening to the Sewhere podcast on it. Zede and Mallory go through all the stitches and when you would use each. Three thread narrow will be your new motto.

[winecat]

Jul 28, 2017 7:34:31 GMT -5 cmeon said:

winecat , schrodinger , have you had any time to play with your new toys?

Not yet.  My schedule just lightened up so I hope to play with it this weekend!