Do you own a serger?
 

I am trying to get some information on a good serger that doesn't require a bank loan? Every time I think I have made the decision as to what I am going to buy I start reading reviews and then it's back to the drawing board. Suddenly it occurred to me to post the question here. So for those of you who own a serger or have a nightmare to tell I would appreciate your help.

I have the Brother 1043D. It does not have air threaders. I think it is still available and there is one similar with a different number and color. I watched a tutorial on how to thread it. It isn't hard. It works well for me. It's on Amazon for $199 so it is probably around that price elsewhere. It has differential feed. Also, use the search function because we have discussed sergers before. I know the air threaders are very popular but, they are very spendy. Mine works fine for me.

I did use the search but didn't get any information about a serger at all and the only word I used was serger that is why I posted this thread. I bought the Brother 1034d a few years ago and was considering the 1634 but before I make a decision I would like input from the people here. The reviews for the Brother's, Singer's and not just the one you own but the 1634 as well were awful. Thanks for your response.

Many years ago I bought a Juki serger. I used it (I have been sewing since 4yrs old, now 75, so not a newbie) and struggled with it. About 20 years ago I bought a VIking 936 (I have Viking sewing/embroidery machines) and it was great! Has computerized settings, screen to show you what to do, etc. It is now set up as a coverstitch machine, as I went to a show and found the air threaded Babylock and came home with it! It is soooo much easier to use, thread, and maintain I never looked back. Yes, spendy, yes, I have two! I would sell the Viking but really like the coverstitch is already set up and I don't have to futz with it, so I will keep it.I would not replace it if it goes down however. The Babylock I would replace in a heartbeat if it goes down. The fact that I don't even have to think about the order in which I thread the thing, that I don't have to follow a convoluted path to get it right, that I can switch to rolled hem with a turn of a knob and flip of a switch and go from 3 thread to 4 or 5 thread in moments is so worth the $$ to me.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...e-t295461.html
https://www.quiltingboard.com/genera...r-t293223.html
https://www.quiltingboard.com/genera...r-t293223.html

Hmmm on Amazon the 1034D has very good reviews. What don't you like about it?

I have an older Pfaff Hobbylock 4760. It does everything I want it to do. I use it to overcast or sew seams and narrow rolled hems. I bought it in 1998 and it still works fine. I have no plans to upgrade. It is easy to thread and sews beautifully.

I have an older Bernina serger. I don't remember the number and can't get upstairs to check it. It's a bit of a pain to thread but works really well. I don't use it a lot now, because I'm not doing as much garment construction as I used to but I'm glad I have it.

This site has reviews on sergers and sewing machines.

https://sewing.patternreview.com/

These gals use their machines a lot ( like this site but clothing) so they are pretty right on the mark.

I have a janome serger and am happy with the results. I used a babylock for years and my new janome is better.

I have a New Home (owned my Janome) 234D. I've had it over 25 years. Never been in a shop for maintenance or anything. I keep it clean and well oiled. It's been a great machine, no complaints. I just bought a used 234D on e-bay and it stitches up fine as well. Good machines.

Hi Alyce, thanks for the links makes me feel stupid though since before I did the thread the first thing I did was a search and nothing of what you listed came up. I have nothing against the 1034D I bought one maybe last year or the year before not sure but it had an issue. I am just trying to decide which one to get I have a Singer 14SH654 (I think that's it) that I am looking at and the Brother 1634D which I kind of liked but just thought I would get some help from everyone here before I decided. But seriously I looked at so many reviews and they were quite bad like don't waste your money type of review.
But thank you to everyone for responding and I now feel like I can buy with confidence.

I have a "vintage" serger, Babylok 3-407(I think), bought it new(82 I think), it probably has at least a million miles on it, it's been serviced twice during the years, have never had any problems with it, and although I don't use it much now, there's no way I'd get rid of it.

Juki made Bernina sergers for about 25 years. They parted ways, about 1 1/2 years ago. So, you can buy what was a Bernina 800DL for $549 on Amazon. It's the Juki MO 114D. And it is a workhorse! I ran a business from home where we serged 4 layers of Jersey knit, and it didn't skip a beat. My old White couldn't do it. If you need a self-threading serger, the Juki MO 1000 is on Amazon for around $1000.

4 things to look for in a serger are differential feed, built-in rolled hem, adjustable presser foot tension and a tall thread mast. I know the tall thread mast may not seem like anything to think about, but it makes a big difference in how the thread feeds into the tensions.

Maxilock thread is the best for sergers! Some threads twist so much that they form loops that have to pop through the tensions. And you can imagine what that does to your stitch quality.

Of course, you could pay $3,500 for a Babylock serger that threads itself and runs 10 spools and does the wave stitch.

Don't let a cat knock it off a table. It takes a lot of work to get it back in operation.

I have several Babylocks, they are the best, but are expensive. However, since the air threading patents are available to other brands, I will probably buy a Janome next time....if there us a next time. Babylocks see to last forever.

I bought a Bernina L450 last June. After 25 years with a Singer 3-thread serger ), I am thrilled with this one. Initially, I went into the dealer to look at the Babylocks intending to buy one with the air threading but once the clerk showed me a few different ones I changed my mind. The Bernina L450 is so easy to thread that the air threader wasn't worth double the amount it would cost to buy it. The best part is that it stitches like a dream!

I recently took a sewing class by a very experienced seamstress who says the Brother 1043D is the best bet.. I used hers in class and it worked fine but honestly I didn't have to thread it. We used home decor fabrics and it was a breeze.. another poster already shows it's about $200 on amazon. Having said that - my husband bought me the Juki that has the air threader and digital settings. I've serged through multiple layers of pleather (is that a word?), minky, knits, home decor, etc.. It's definitely a bit more solid of a machine with lots of fancy bells & whistles that make me feel more confident (as a beginner) to operate it but I wouldn't say it's necessary - $1,000 price tag.

I think it really depends on what you're intending to use it for and how much use will it get? I think most folks buy a serger intending it to last for years, decades, etc.. So buy what you think you'll need to last.

Good luck finding what works best for you!

I bought a 5 thread Singer serger last year. Not the easiest to thread but it has a ton of options and it even does cover stitch. Serged some headbands, scarves, and pajama pants. Works well. Link here: https://sergerpro.com/singer-14t968dc-review/

I would get a brother if budget is an issue. Juki are the most solid to me of the brands, they don't scoot and the stitch quality is better to me. People love the babylocks but I feel they are overpriced and didn't care for the stitch on the evolution I used. I did get the air thread juki but if I hadn't I would have got the higher end brother serger. I used it and it was nice but juki is more solid

I have an older (15 yrs.?) lower end Bernina serger (Bernette). Used it when new, not much any more. But have had no issues with it. Except operator ones! ;)

April is national serger month. Not only will there be some new ones coming out, there will be lots of specials and I'm sure lots of trade ins. I purchased many trade in machines from dealers and have had good luck. They are normally recently serviced and a dealer warranty is on them. I have the Ovation from Babylock. Absolute love my machine.