sewing machines and sergers

[PassionateWriter]

i want to find both used on craigslist and get them for my bday next month.

the thing is..i know nothing about brands, features, etc. etc.

can someone help me? tell me what to look for...features, brands, etc. etc.

[sewchris2642]

It all depends on you and what you want to sew. But the basics for a sewing machine are: straight stitch, zigzag, blind hem, buttonhole (anything from 1-step to 4-step; size the hole for you or mark the length on the garment), and one stretch stitch. Most modern sewing machines have a free arm. Some sewers use it, some don't.

Basics for a serger: 4-thread (2 needles, 2 loopers), rolled hem and differental feed. A 4-thread serger will also do 3-thread. Some sergers can change the width of the finished seam, some don't. Some rolled hem settings are build in; some need the throat plate and/or the foot changed. Most sergers have color-coded threading and a threading diagram printed somewhere on the machine, usually inside the door to the loopers.

Chris

[PassionateWriter]

i have a sewing machine but i have no idea if it does all that or not.

anyone have brand and model names to look for?

[sewchris2642]

Brand name and model # doesn't matter. Everyone has their favorites. What matter is that you are comfortable sewing on the machine. Your machine has at least one of those 5 stitches--straight stitch. Most modern (built in the last 20 years) sewing machines have those 5 stitches. My advice is to get out your current machine, read the manual, and get to know it. You might find that you don't need a new sewing machine. After you learn the sewing machine, then think about getting a serger.

I sew on a 6-7 yo Kenmore sewing machine (32 built in stitches. I use maybe 5 of them) and a 60 yo Singer Featherweight (only does straight stitch). I also use a Babylock serger (set up for 3 thread) without differential feed and a Phaff serger with differential feed (set up for 4 thread). But then I sew for a living. I also have a blind hemmer and an industrial buttonhole/eyelet machine.

I bought the Kenmore machine with all those stitches because I could drop the feed dogs on it and my old Singer buttonhole attachment worked on it.

Chris

[PassionateWriter]

well, i guess the brands are important to me b/c i have been in a position before of buying a serger, only to have someone tell me that brand is "crap". i just dont want to make a mistake and regret it (even on a used machine).

i bought my sewing machine 10 plus years ago. i have used it for quilting and a few craft projects. i do not have the manual and cant find one online. im OK w/ it but its annoying not having the manual and knowing more about it..thus my "want" to have a machine that i can refer to the manual with, etc. etc. The machine is OK but i did have some issues in my quilting classes with it. It works fine though.

i just thought that more ppl in this forum would have suggestions. As with diapers, i know one brand is not going to be loved by all, but that never stopped anyone (including me) from saying "Thirsty Tushies" are great!

[sewchris2642]

Do a goggle search on your sewing machine brand/model # and buy a replacement manual for your current machine. http://www.google.com/search?q=sewin...A_enUS270US282


I posted that brand doesn't matter because it's all about you. I love Kenmore sewing machines--I have 3. But I also have a Singer Featherweight, an old Mountgomery Wards machine and one that my grandmother bought when I was 2. My sergers are White, Babylock, and Phaff. I bought my machines because they did what I wanted them to do and I liked sewing on them. Also I don't need the after sale dealer service. I used to sell sewing machines including teaching the buyer how to use it. And that was the same advice I told my customers--buy the machine that you like to sew on. Brand doesn't matter if you don't like to sew on that particular machine. In fact, I'd so far as to say that the dealer is more important than the brand of the machine.

Sewing machines are like cars. I loved my 1993 Ford Festiva; my dh hates it. I now love my "new" 1997 Ford Escort which I bought from Joy. Her husband hated driving it. They both are in love with her new (2005) Town and Country mini van which is a Chrystler.

[PassionateWriter]

i will give you an example of what im wondering.

this machine is for sale: http://nh.craigslist.org/art/1075039072.html

i dont know anything about it...brand or price comparison.

so i posted here to see if i could get info. about things that work for many ppl, and things that dont work for alot of ppl.

all im saying..is that saying "brand doesnt matter..its what you like to sew on" may be good for someone in a shop looking to buy new but thats not what im doing. im not going to be able to go into ppl's homes and make 10 baby wipes to see if i like the machine.

[orangewallflower]

The "prestige" brands are Bernina, Viking and Pfaff. My advice would be to get one of these that is 5-10 years old. For the SM, get a computerized model, for the serger, make sure it has at least four threads and an automatic lower looper threader along with differential feed. (I think sergers are really similar to one another.) Automatic tension settings on a serger are a bonus.

These sewing machine brands have their lower end lines that are made in Asia: Bernina Bernette, Viking Emerald and Huskystar, and Pfaff Smart. You are better off buying an Asian brand than one of these spinoffs. I have heard the most complaints about Singers (1960's and later) and Brothers. Janomes, Elnas and Babylocks seem to be the middle of the road in terms of reliability, function and durability. If you buy one of the Big 3, it is great to get one that comes with lots of presser feet because they are expensive. ($30-$40 a pop.)

Another thing you can do is go to a dealer as if you are shopping for a new machine and ask to use the floor models and ask about different features. So you are clear on what makes a high end machine high end. Don't pay for embroidery unless you like the look of computerized embroidery. (I am glad to not have paid the thousands on embroidery.)

[orangewallflower]

Oh, on the serger end of things, people love Babylocks. I have a Pfaff which is great and very similar to the Elnas. Berninas are also nice. None of the European companies make their own sergers. They are all made in Asia.

[sewchris2642]

For me personally, I wouldn't buy a machine I couldn't test sew first. But then I don't buy shoes online for the same reason--I can't try them on first. And I wouldn't buy a car that I couldn't test drive. You never know what you're getting. That Singer serger was a good model when it was new. But you don't know how it sews now. It could need all new tension discs. It's also set up for 4 thread overlock. Without changing it to the chain stitch (that's the 5 thread--2 thread chain stitch/3 thread overlock), you don't know if that feature works or not.

I'm not trying to discourage you although I can see how I could sound that way. I'm very passionate about sewing and just hate for anyone to spend money on something that they end up not using because it doesn't work correctly or because it's just not a good fit for the sewer.

Chris