want to buy a serger - advice?

[JillyD]

I have been wanting to buy a serger for a while. I have used one a few times (it was a huskylock I think) but don't really know anything about what is out there in terms of machines. Ideally, I'd like to buy one used but am having a really hard time figuring out what to get. What machine do you have? Do you love it? What are the "good brands" and what should I look for? How much should I expect to spend????? Help!

[sabrinat]

a good solid workhorse serger is the brother 1034. I think you can get it on Amazon shipped for under $250. It's very popular. I have several friends who have that one and love it. Also the kenmore one that Sears carries is made by Janome and also a good buy.

[Carson]

Originally Posted by sabrinat

a good solid workhorse serger is the brother 1034

Yes, I have this and I love it. I know you can spend a lot more, but I think it has a lot of good functions and is easy to operate.

[Pumpkincat]

I have the singer profinish, with differntial feed and 2/3/4 thread capibilities. some do not rate this machine so well. At first i disliked it too, until i really got to know it. It is a strudy machine and does a beautiful rolled hem. the thing i did not like about it at first was that threading was tricky, but after spending time with it, it doesn't take much to do it now. It is the same price as the brother that others are mentioning. IT comes with a 25 yr warranty, so that is really good. In the future i will upgrade, i think i would like a babylock self threading unit.

[KariM]

Another vote for the Brother 1034! I've had mine for several years now and use it weekly. It's easy to thread (charts and cd to show you how) and keeps on working well time after time.

[Noelle C.]

I have a Huskylock 334D that I love.

You probably won't need more than a 3-thread for basic home use, and the largest learning curve is in threading them!

[JillyD]

thanks!! I love the idea of $250. much better than some other prices i have seen.

[scrapadoozer]

I love love love my Janome 634D!

[mamafever]

I researched a lot for a serger and have a Huskylock 3 thread. It is the best! I have to thread it manually, which is hard to learn at first, but it is really smooth and quiet.

[E.V. Lowi]

Originally Posted by scrapadoozer

I love love love my Janome 634D!

Take some of the fabrics you plan to sew and the threads you use, such as decorative, metallic, wooly and so forth and test drive different machines. Look at used ones, too.

[Noelle C.]

Originally Posted by mamafever

I researched a lot for a serger and have a Huskylock 3 thread. It is the best! I have to thread it manually, which is hard to learn at first, but it is really smooth and quiet.

An easy way to re-thread is just snip the thread before it goes through everything, and tie the end of a new spool to it, a simple knot, and let it go through the machine.

[candipooh]

I just got an Elna. It had been sitting in my friend's mothers closet for over 15 years. I got it serviced and it is a great machine!!!

It has 4 threads.

[MrsChickenhead]

I just bought a Janome serger for around $300. I like it fine, but I don't know much about sergers. I bought a used one about 6 months ago and it ended up being pretty messed up and the lady wouldn't refund my money. So if you buy used, have it checked out first.

[fwlady]

I also LOVE my Janome 4 thread serger. I hate threading it, but it has a cheat sheet on the machine. LOL I have had mine for 7 yrs, used it for 5 of them pretty regularly, and only had to have it serviced because it sat and my kids touched it. I never needed it repaired, oiled, or serviced otherwise. It was pretty affordable. And, I LOVE IT. Kymberli

[luv-my-boys]

subbing...

Im looking for a serger for simple home use. For instance serging hems of pants before heming them up and such. Looking for something that is super easy to use and well affordable.