Serger recommenedations, please!

[punkrockmomma]

I am planning on buying my first serger in the next few weeks, and I really need some guidance and recommendations on what to get. I'm looking to spend between $400 and $500 on it, and I would actually prefer to get a used machine, because I had such good luck finding an amazing used sewing machine already, and also I don't like to buy new stuff when I know there's really good used stuff out there that is cheaper and possibly works just as good or better then a new one. I do need it by the end of the month so if I can't find a used one that fits my specifications, I do want to have a new one in mind if I have to come to that.

What I'm looking for is a serger with differential feed, is easy to thread, holds thread tension well, easy to move from one type of fabric to another with out too much adjusting, and I'd like it to do a rolled hem.

As far as new machines go I was looking at a Juki MO654DE.

Also, as you can probably tell, I've never used a serger before, so if there's anything else I may need to think about when buying a serger please let me know.

Thanks for your help ladies.

[deditus]

I don't think you need to spend that much money. I have a Brother 1034D that does all those things fine and was way cheaper.

http://www.amazon.com/Brother-1034D-.../dp/B0000CBK1L

[punkrockmomma]

The reason I want a good serger is that I do a lot of sewing, and I'm going to try and have my own little sewing business to help get me through school, (I plan on getting a Phd, and will be in school for about 9 more years.) I also just went from a newer Singer (that wasn't one of the cheap ones either), to a Bernina 1090, and even though the Bernina is 20 years old it's amazing how different the two machines are. I LOVE my Bernina, it sews like a dream, and it doesn't struggle with somethings the way the Singer did. One of the main reasons I got a new machine is because I could tell the Singer was struggling with with the amount of sewing I do and some of the projects I've done. So I'm taking this experience into account in regards to the type of serger I get.

[punkrockmomma]

Originally Posted by deditus

I don't think you need to spend that much money. I have a Brother 1034D that does all those things fine and was way cheaper.

http://www.amazon.com/Brother-1034D-.../dp/B0000CBK1L

So, after writing my last reply I'm going to eat my words, because I did follow the link to Amazon and I read the reviews, and I actually learned something from one of them, and that is I probably want a cover stitch machine too. So, now what I'm thinking is that I'll get this machine, do to the great reviews of it, and the Brother cover stitch machine. It puts me over what I want to spend, but I'll be able to do what I need to get done, and I have say that anything that will help me to save time on my sewing is worth considering to me.

I would still like more information, and opinions on this topic though, as I haven't totally made up my mind yet. I consider what I said above to be just a new serious consideration, but not a decision. Thanks for your help ladies!

[EmmalinesMom]

I absolutely adore my Janome My Lock.

http://janome.com/index.cfm/Machines...ed/MyLock_644D

I've had it for several years (it's actually retired, but you can often find them used). I do once-per-year maintenence on it, and have had few, if any real problems. Very easy to thread, easy to adjust tension, etc.

Have fun shopping!

[punkrockmomma]

Originally Posted by EmmalinesMom

I absolutely adore my Janome My Lock.

http://janome.com/index.cfm/Machines...ed/MyLock_644D

I've had it for several years (it's actually retired, but you can often find them used). I do once-per-year maintenence on it, and have had few, if any real problems. Very easy to thread, easy to adjust tension, etc.

Have fun shopping!

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll look into this one too.

Anyone else out there have a serger they love?

[luv-my-boys]

Originally Posted by deditus

I don't think you need to spend that much money. I have a Brother 1034D that does all those things fine and was way cheaper.

http://www.amazon.com/Brother-1034D-.../dp/B0000CBK1L

I just got this serger for last month. I'll be honest it sat in the box unopened for over a week because I was intimated by the threading I finally took a afternoon and just did it. O.M. G I LOVE it!!!! I am no pro sewer I think im more moderate-crafter sewer most of what I knwo has been from trial and error and what I remember my grandma doing growing up.

The machine comes pre-threaded so you can follow along w/the cd or booklet on how to trhread it. Plus it is actually number literally 1-x for each thread and there are pics on how to thread it on the machine itself which was really helpful. You can even just tie on your thread to the thread it comes with and feed it in on a scrap fabric and it'll be threaded (which is the super easy way to go)but starting from scratch is pretty straight forward. I've worked on 2 projects so far and really like the serger for them, a tote bag and some baby items. LOVE that i dont need the huge cones, I bought regular thread spools. I did do large ones for basic colors-white,black,navy since I'll probably use those. but I had some specialty color fabric so I didnt want $20 in thread for such a small project.

[Jenn_M]

I've had the Brother 1034D for almost 3 years and it hasn't given me ANY problems. At all. But if I was going to buy another it would probably be a Juki.

[fawnanddoe]

I also have the Brother 1034D and I use it for heavy duty sewing for my business. It's constantly in use. I have had it for about 1 year no and it's never given any problems and it's super easy to use!

[ms.shell]

Janome 634d, for sure.
it doesn't cover stitch, tho, although Janome does make a coverstitch.
I wouldn't buy anything except Janome; I think they are far and away the best.