Sergers...

[mamaMAMAma]

I'm thinking about getting a serger for the holidays, but I know nothing about them. I would like to convert some prefolds to prefitteds and there are times when I wish I have a serger. So, please tell me about them. Are they easy to use? I know they can be very expensive, but do you think I can get a decent one for $200-$300? And if so, what features should I be looking for. What brands? Any advice welcome.

[AinNJ]

i have brother 1034D and i really like it. it's my first serger so i dont have anything to compare it to, but it does everything i need it to do, is easy to use, and its FAST! actually, i can't stand my regular sewing machine because the serger makes it seem to run at a snail's pace.

the brother 1034D is relatively inexpensive, but i got an *awsome* price buying on ebay (brand new in sealed box too!).

i was also told that the simplicity serger is another decent, low-cost machine. you might want to check that one out too.

you're gonna LOVE serging!!!

[mamaMAMAma]

Anyone has experience with Brothers 1034D or Jukis?

[laurabfig]

Another good brand is Janome. I have the 634D which will run you about $370 but their lower models (I think the 104D) are always on ebay for about 200. It is a good brand that kept getting recommended to me when I was doing serger research like you are! I don't have any experience with juki or brother though to comment on those. Anyway, HTH!

[heatherdeg]

I have a White and I like it--it's heavy so it doesn't "bounce" on the table.

My mother has an Elna which is also really good--and REALLY expensive!

[bubbles]

I am looking too and lots of people have recommended the Janome/New Home 104D or the one up from it. (can't remember the model number). Both models are the same price (about $199) on many sites. The only reason I am not going w/ it is that I sew through multiple layers of hemp fleece or sherpa and this model won't do it. It is supposed to be awesome otherwise and as I understand would be great for what you want and is super for the price.

[boingo82]

Originally Posted by mamaMAMAma

Anyone has experience with Brothers 1034D or Jukis?

I have a Juki MO-134 circa....like 1984?
It is still going strong. And cutting blades are super, super cheap. ($5.65 for lower.) It is supposed to be one of the more durable brands, they also make one of the Bernina machines. I forget which one.

[ChattyCat]

I have a Babylock 418. My mom bought it in the early eighties. She got a fancy new one recently, so I got the hand me down. It's a 3 thread, but it's a really solid machine that's been used fairly often by us over the last 20 years, and it's showing no signs of slowing down. I think the older machines are a bit trickier to thread than the newer ones though. You're supposed to be able to just tie on the threads and have them go through, but the bottom looper on mine has a tendency to get stuck, so I have to thread it by hand. I think you could probably get a good deal on an older one that works just fine still. It may not have all of the bells and whistles though

[boingo82]

How much can my Juki sew through....

I have done 7-8 layers flannel at once. (Dulled my lower blade though.)

Today I did 4 layers cotton weave, 1 layer poly knit, another layer poly weave, and a layer sweatshirt fleece. And it went through that all fine.

Also today, it went through 8 layers of the cotton weave w/ 2 layers velvet.

It is a workhorse! I just wish I had a differential feed.

[Izzybee]

I bought a 644D Juki, and it was a sweet, sweet serger. I paid about $270ish for it, and I sold it to an MDC mama because I got an industrial one, but it was a dream machine. the msrp on it is like $900(ish), and you will see other sergers in the 200-300 range where the msrp is like 400-500, ykwim?
I Love the Juki brand
And what ever you get, make sure it has differential feed!

[bluenail]

Just one other point. If you are like me and are a decent sewer (but have no clue about sergers) - take a class at your local sewing centre. Seriously, when I think about the hours of screaming frustration that I could have saved if I had just taken this class in the first place...well...