? to purchase a sewing machine or serger

[emilys_mom1]

My mom is going to teach me to sew. I'm starting with cloth dips. I don't see myself few to much more than that, but who knows. Is it better to buy a serger or a sewing machine?

about how much do they run?

Kim

[judybean]

I don't have a serger, so I could be biased... but I'd go with a sewing machine for more versatility. For a while all I wanted was a serger, but really, I like the look of a turned and topstitched diaper So Darn Much I don't know if I could give that up!!

(although I admit to longing for a serger when I'm making doublers... it would be *way* easier to just serge the edges than t&t the doublers and then avoid the thick edges... but I'm still happy )

Plus, I think that sewing machines are cheaper... and easier to figure out right from the beginning (this of course only hearsay because I've never even touched a serger!)

[judybean]

My sewing machine is a cheapy, but does the job I need it to (with diaper-making). It's the most basic Singer machine out there (model 1120 I believe) and dh bought it for me at WalMart for under $100. It has done everything I've needed it to do, so for now I don't need anything fancier!

[Kari_mom]

You can make a diaper with just a sewing machine, but you can't make much more than flats with just a serger. So you will really want to start with a sewing machine. If you find yourself addicted to sewing, you can add a serger later.

[RosieCheeks]

I agree, the sewing machine is a must-have. You can't do much with a serger alone. It's a great compliment to a sewing machine, but can't replace one.

[Jes'sBeth]

SEWING MACHINE!

They're cheaper and you can do WAY more with them (even if it's just hemming stuff or making curtains that require a straight stitch you need a sewing machine not a serger.)

Sergers are really nice and I'm really glad I can borrow my friend's when I want one but I wouldn't trade my sewing machine for a serger if you paid me a million dollars (well, okay maybe I would, but I'd use the first couple of hundred to buy a really nice sewing machine just like the one I already have )