serger recommendations

[nascarbebe]

I want to buy myself my first serger next month. Would someone like to recommend one to me? I'm not even sure how much I want to spend. I don't want a cheapie that I'll regret buying later on but at the same time I don't need the top of the line one.

[autumnbloom]

just a quick DITTO!

[KariM]

I love my Brother 1034D! I've had it for several months now and I have serged washcloths, mama pads, wipes, used it for seam finishes, and serged skirts and pj pants with it.

It's a lower-end model that's very reasonably priced. I might upgrade at some point in the future, but right now it's meeting my needs.

My only complaint is that it doesn't have a free arm, so it can get challenging to sew some items.

[cottonwood]

Originally Posted by KariM

My only complaint is that it doesn't have a free arm, so it can get challenging to sew some items.

Examples?

[medaroge]

well I am not KariM (obviously, lol) but I can anwser the question. A free arm is good for doing small circumfrence things, like sleves, doll clothing, any close quarters sort of thing. hth!

[AllisonK]

I have the same one and love it. It is working great and I use it all the time. I do wish it was easier to do sleeves and such but I manage.

[Max'sMama]

Originally Posted by KariM

I love my Brother 1034D! I've had it for several months now and I have serged washcloths, mama pads, wipes, used it for seam finishes, and serged skirts and pj pants with it.

It's a lower-end model that's very reasonably priced. I might upgrade at some point in the future, but right now it's meeting my needs.

My only complaint is that it doesn't have a free arm, so it can get challenging to sew some items.

I just used this one today and it had a free arm. Not a super easy one, but did they change the model a bit in the past year? A friend has this one and the specs agree that the arm does transition to the free arm. Huh....need to keep looking myself. I want one but don't want to spend a fortune, yet don't want to end up with junk either. YK?

[Queen Gwen]

I got a Babylock at about this time last year. I think they have a big sale right about now every year.

I love it. I have the Imagine with the self-threading.

My only complaint -- no free arm. But I'm learning to deal with it.

On the other hand, I never have to worry about switching settings depending on fabric, or how many layers I'm putting through it. I just flip it on and serge. So the only thing I have to be organized about is the bottom of sweat pants (tough to attach the ribknit without a free arm if the leg seams are already sewn up) and the bottom of sleeves (ditto).