Do I really need a serger???

[Candice2boys]

I want to make fitted and prefitteds as easy and as cost effective as possible. Do I need a serger? DH will buy one if I really need it. Will it make everything more simple? Faster? I going for ease of making stuff (simplicity) and quickness. I have yet to make a real diaper, just bought a sewing machine a few weeks ago and a snap press. Should I add a serger to the mix? Or cna I do it without? I also want to make patchwork pants and fleece shorts/pants and covers. What are your opinions? Will I get a lot of use out of it? I made a prefitted which I totally wrecked and think IF only I had a serger rather than turning and topstitching. I added fleece to it and now know the 1/4" elastic won't hold a premium PF and fleece the way I want it to. Back to serger though... Do I really need one?

[allnaturalmama]

Yes . . . no . . . oh, I don't know!

Here's my take:

All of your sewing projects are completely do-able with just a sewing machine. They *may* be faster with a serger, but that depends. I had an old White Speedylock with no differential setting, and I swear, that thing cost me more time than it saved with thread breakage, rethreading, tension issues, yada, yada . . .

If you can afford a really, really nice serger, then go for it. If you can't, a less expensive serger may end up causing you more hassle than it's worth. Diapering projects really put a serger through its paces with the uber-thick fabrics required, and a more entry-level, budget-friendly serger may not be able to handle it.

Sorry, I'm sure I've been no help at all!

[boscopup]

I don't think you have to have a top-of-the-line serger... But you would probably want a serger in the $200+ range, and you do have to be careful about which one you get (look here for suggestions).

You don't NEED a serger though. As PP said, you can do perfectly fine without one. I my serger and find that it does make things easier, especially the differential feed feature when sewing knit fabrics (I have a Kenmore - $250 when on sale). There is a learning curve, so don't expect to have perfect looking diapers right away. Also, if you mess up and need to un-serge, it's alot more difficult than un-sewing. Ask me how I know... :

For the prefitteds... Have you tried using FOE? Then you don't have to T&T. FOE is pretty easy to work with, IMO. You can get really nice results with it, and it only requires a sewing machine. It also saves you time because your binding and elastic is all one!

[judybean]

just like they said -- you don't *need* one. i don't have one and can still do everything.... BUT... gosh i want one!!! for doublers, trimmer edges, etc ... but vera's suggestion of foe is great!

[rootzdawta]

I was wondering the same thing because I'd love to make diapers and mama pads too. I realized, thought, that none of my pocket diapers ae sewn with a serger (Fuzzi Bunz, knickernappies, etc.) and only a handful of my mama pads are serged. But like for inserts and stuff . . . a serger seems to do the job best and the quickest, I would imagine.

[Candice2boys]

I want to get the Kenmore 791BD it's on sale until today for $249.99 reg.$349.99 Does this sound good?

[boscopup]

That's the one I have. I love it! And that's the lowest sale price it goes for, I think.

[greyskye]

get it. makes life easier, more productive or spend less time...however you want to look at it. that sounds really cheap. i dont have one. wish i did. thought that they were more like 400. check out an e-opinion on it. but buy it, no need for debate especially if you are making all in ones.

[happeeevraftr]

Re: Fuzzibunz--they are serged, but then turned. At least, the ones I had at one point were. I think a lot of diapers may be done this way--even topstitched ones are serged on the inside, because it finishes the edges and it's quicker, and there's no seam allowance to add much bulk.

I wish I had a serger, especially for things like mama pads, soakers pads, doublers, inserts, etc. Those are really a pain to have T&T. It at least doubles the time. I do have some good overcast stitches on my machine and an overcast foot that does a nice mock serge, but it's not the same--not as good.

Question: What is differential feed and how does it help?

$250 for a serger is very tempting, esp. if it has good reviews. But if I had that kind of money right now, I might not be making my own diapers! (Although I am really enjoying it, so maybe I would!)

[beepsmnms]

Funny question! Make a few diapers and you'll be addicted to diaper making and will probably really WANT that serger so much that you'll find a way to NEED it. Heck, you got the snap press, now all thats left is the SERGER. I highly recommend the White superlock 1934D, I just got mine for $299 at a local shop where I live but Joanns carrys it as well. OR that kenmore is good too from what i hear

[cathiasplace]

I just got a White Speedylock 1600. It has differential too. I LOVE it! It makes things so much quicker. Especially soakers/doublers. Haven't done my mama pads yet, but they will be done soon. I already did one diaper and one cover on it too. So much quicker and I love the way it looks! I've made wipes and doublers, so quickly! I highly recommend one!

[our3boys]

Originally Posted by happeeevraftr

Question: What is differential feed and how does it help?

It feeds the fabric in faster or slower than it feeds it out.

Those feed dogs that grab the fabric underneath the presser foot are what do it. The presser foot is the thing by the needle that you clamp down when you start sewing.

It allows you to sew on stretchy knits (or even the fabric bias, which has stretch) and keep them from stretching too much as you serge so the edges are still flat. Serging in itself has some give to it, so if you use differential feed so that your fabric is not stretched, it will still have a little give to it. This would be helpful in some areas like throught the top of the legs all the way through the wings. You would still have a little give in the fabric and the thread would not break.

You can also use it to make other effects like rippled edges (by feeding it out faster than in).

[happeeevraftr]

It feeds the fabric in faster or slower than it feeds it out.

Those feed dogs that grab the fabric underneath the presser foot are what do it. The presser foot is the thing by the needle that you clamp down when you start sewing.

It allows you to sew on stretchy knits (or even the fabric bias, which has stretch) and keep them from stretching too much as you serge so the edges are still flat. Serging in itself has some give to it, so if you use differential feed so that your fabric is not stretched, it will still have a little give to it. This would be helpful in some areas like throught the top of the legs all the way through the wings. You would still have a little give in the fabric and the thread would not break.

You can also use it to make other effects like rippled edges (by feeding it out faster than in).

Sounds wonderful.

Now I NEED a serger.

[Jes'sBeth]

You definately don't NEED a serger.

I have access to a serger (my friend's serger... she lives 3 doors down) and I do like it for prefitteds. I also like it for inserts and wipes because it speeds things up.

HOWEVER!!!!! I really like the look of turned and topstitched diapers. I like the neat edges that I get and much prefer making my diapers with my sewing machine that I've been using for a long time than the serger that I'm new to. I just understand my sewing machine better. The $300+ that I would spend on a serger (I'm in Canada... things look like they cost more here) I use for fabric instead and $300 goes a LONG way when it comes to buying diaper making supplies. I could probably work out how to make a prefitted without the serger by adding an extra layer and then T&T and just haven't gotten around to it (I acutally figured out a way to make them with just my sewing machine... I hadn't asked if my friend had a serger yet, and got them to work though they're a bit more ratty than the serged ones I have)

I'd definately play around with my sewing machine for a few weeks/ months before I added a serger to the mix though. Then you'll know what your sewing machine can do for you and whether or not you really want the serger.

[brogansmomma]

A local store has the White Speedylock 1600 on sale for $299 (Canadian) and says it's MSRP $599 (?? but again, Canadian $$) if I remember correctly from the flyer. No payments for 6 months too but I'd rather pay in full straight out. Do I NEED one?? No. But I WANT one for inserts (I plan to do a bunch of pocket diapers) and wipes and maybe for some of the fitteds. I'm sure it'll go on sale again but I want it NOW even though tax refunds won't be showing up for awhile yet.

Maybe I'll have a serger by the end of the week? I can think of things that I'd be more responsible to spend my money on (housefundhousefundhousefund) but I could use the serger to finish the seams of the clothes I plan to make Brogan this summer. Right?

It's like once you're bitten, it's over.

[Candice2boys]

I got the Kenmore and am thrilled-another post about it is on here.

I thought about it and realized that if DH said go ahead then I'm jumping on it.LOL He just got all this stuff for way more than what the serger cost. He has an XBOX 360 on the way, a new $$$computer case he didn't really need, and a ton of stuff for his lifted JEEP. LOL SO I decided I need to get what I want even if I don't really need it.. I'm sure I could live without it, but got it anyway I may just make prefitted for the newborn stage and fitteds later on or something. LOL Always chanign my mind on this So I am off to read the manual and then watch the video. Dh took the boys with him to get MIL from the airport, so I have alone time.

[Carolinamidwife]

You definitely don't need a serger but they sure are nice to have.

Oh, and Knickernappies are serged, they're just also turned so you can't see the serged ends. If you look inside at the pocket opening you can see serged edges.