Do you own a serger? Recommendations please.....
 

I think I need (!) a serger. OK, I want a serger. One that is easy to thread and not costing an arm and a leg. Please share what you have and if you love it. I've never had a serger but want to use it for making scarves, table runners and sewing with fleece and also rayon/nylon garden flags. Thanks for helping me with this decision.

I think once you learn how to thread it its not bad. I have one and just need to get moving and learn to thread it. I have heard from many that once you get the hang of it its not bad and to thnk of it as one thread at a time. It looks overwhelming but I have been watching some videos and also paid for a few classes on line and it really does not seem as bad as I was thinking. I just need to try it. You can buy sergers (used) on craig's list or new for around 200.00 for the brother. Used also would be a good deal since many people do not use them alot. There are also some good free lessons on utube that I have found that are very helpful.

Hi Sandy. I have never really felt compelled to buy one. I think of it as something to use with knit fabrics when you make clothes. Maybe if I studied into it I would find a reason to own one, but I put my eggs in a different basket by getting a Sweet 16 for quilting. I use a Janome MC9000 for the rest of my sewing and a Featherweight for workshops and teaching children and occasional use. I can't justify the cost and don't know where I would put it. But I'm sure lots of people have them and can give you good reasons to get one. I use my regular machine for fleece and since it doesn't need to be edged, I don't understand why you'd need a serger for it. Bottom line, though, follow your heart, and do plenty of research talking with folks who use them.

I have had 3 different sergers ( upgrading each time ) My current one is a Pfaff coverlock 4852 and have found ALL of them are hard to thread or set up for a different stitch! :) I think your best bet would be to keep your eye out for a used self threader, Babylock has a nice line up of self threaders. I may not be the best help as I just use mine once in awhile.

I have a Juki 634 and have used it without one bit of problem for over 30 plus years? It's a work horse for sure. it only has 4 spools but that's all I've ever needed it to have. You will love one if you aren't intimidated by learning to thread it.

I keep coming back to the BabyLock (Nancy Z). I may have to go look at a demo. Pricey, I'm guessing but I sure don't want to have to upgrade after I make a purchase of one. Buy the best, you'll always have the best. That phrase keeps haunting me if I only knew what the best was.... Thank you so much for sharing your experience and help.

Juki's are the best sergers at the best prices. They make the Bernina's and Bernina just makes them more expensive with a few changes. Love Juki sewing and sergers.

I do have the Imagine - not for the threading, which is nice, but for the small footprint. I do small items and the larger/wider feet on the new machines don't help. I have no intention of trading up as it does all I want. I opted for the Imagine and a separate cover stitch machine.
Babylock had a model called the Eclipse which didn't have jet air, but did have tube threading with a wire. It did everything the Imagine would do sewingwise. It's probably still around under another name. I've used and threaded one, and it is easy.

Babylock just brought out new models that have people drooling, so there might be some decent used models available. They seem to be pretty sturdy.

I found a link for how to Thread the Elna 614 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84-G7-0704Q first one explains the parts. second one tells you how to thread a kenmore serger - there are 3 videos here is the first one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5hBU5I_3b0

I found my serger - Juno by Janome on craigs list for $150. Had trouble threading it in the beginning but it is great!

I have the Babylock Imagine which I bought because of the auto threading. I had another serger for years and was just thrilled when this auto thread feature came out. It really does make it so much easier to use.

I have a self threading Babylock and love it,may not use it often but when I need it it is there waiting.

Love, love, love my Babylock Imagine, looked into upgrading a couple years ago and just felt there was not enough difference to justify the cost of the upgrade. It was expensive at the time, and I am sure they still are, but worth every penny in my opinion.

I also have the Juki 634 like DonnaPBradshaw, and have used it for at least 20 years. There is a learning curve on threading and using the different feet, but love mine and would buy Juki again. I did take some serger classes to learn how to thread, gather, rolled hem, etc.

I had a Singer serger for years and used it rarely because it was hard to thread and set tension. I finally bought a Baby Lock Evolution. It is wonderful! Self threading and auto tension. I use it all the time. Any of the Baby Lock sergers would be great. People who have the Imagine rave about it too. They are a little pricey, but worth it in my opinion. You can find them on eBay sometimes. Baby Lock has a new serger just coming out. You might be able to find a good used one when people trade up for the new model.

I have an old pfaff serger for $50. If I was going to buy new it would be the Babylock air thread kind. No more threading hassles.

I only use my serger for garment sewing (essential) and the occasional sergered edge on quilts (but a zig-zag on a sewing machine would work too).

I would first think through a few things:
--How much do I want to spend. The self threaders are nice but very pricey. If this were my first time using one, I would save my money and try the old thread it myself type.
--How much would I use it. [I use mine more for sewing or finishing seams on quilted items like purses or bowls or fleece blankets.]

I do have the Pfaff 4852 and love it. I can't justify the cost of the self threading serger.

I have had the Viking Huskylock for nearly 20 years and wouldn't be without it. Once you have threaded it correctly once or twice it will become straightforward and I have never had a problem once I worked it out. It is wonderful for all sorts of sewing and gives a professional finish on everything from chiffon to fleece. I believe some quilters use a serger for piecing but I have never tried it.

I don't have the juki but saw one demoed and it was very consistent beautiful stitches with multiple fabrics. Didn't look the easiest to thread but once you figure it out it should be easier so now I am confused if I want a brother. Babylock are nice but way too expensive you can get a nice server that does a great job for around 500

I LOVE my serger! The best one I have ever had was an Elna; until some incompetent repairman messed it up. I now have a Babylock and it is great also. Very easy to use. Great threading and good instructions.
Judy