Sergers? What do you recommend?

[*~*SewHappyNow*~*]

I'm thinking about sergers. What type and features do you recommend? I want a quality serger for the best value for home sewing, crafts, diaper making, etc.. I don't need an industrial serger, but I don't want some junkie thing that just frustrates me more than anything.

So what do you recommend or warn to stay away from? What price range are we talking? I often see them in ebay, but still am unsure as to just how to evaluate them.

[PatchyMama]

I mine! I got a New Home 534D II Mylock off ebay for $238 with shipping... its work house and is perfect for everythign i do (patchwork, diapers, etc). It was brand new and the warranty was valid cause i got it from an authorized dealer! I highly recommend them! seller : easyterms i think ....

[LuvMy2Kidz]

I love my Elna!!! It's super easy to thread, and easy to use I got it on sale for 399.00(down from like 800 )

[*~*SewHappyNow*~*]

Originally posted by LuvMy2Kidz
I love my Elna!!! It's super easy to thread, and easy to use I got it on sale for 399.00(down from like 800 )

any particular model? I have heard Elna is good, but I'm not sure which model would be a good choice for me.

[dharmama]

bumping this becuase we're looking at an Elna 686.

[BCmamaof6]

Excellent question! I want to know, too.

[bionicsquirrel]

I really recommend going to a couple of sewing stores and trying the different sergers for yourself. I did a lot of research on the web to find out about different brands, then went to two different stores and tried Babylocks, Janome, Elna and Singer brands. I also asked here for suggestions, but you really can't know until you test the machines.

The sales people were great, they let me bring my own fabric (multiply layers of hemp and fleece) to sew, this way I could see what blades worked well and what the tension was like on each machine.
I felt a little guilty, but I then bought my machine used on Ebay for 150 and it is a $500 machine. I would have bought from the dealer, because he was giving me a really good price, but I went with a machine that was more reasonable for me. If you can get a good price at a dealer though, I would take it only if they offer classes on that machine, my dealer didn't. I think the classes are a plus.

I own a Janome My Lock 634d