Help needed!
 

I am looking at buying a serger machine. I have never had one. My question is which one do you recommend? I am excited to get one now that I have been looking at them.

I recently got the Brother 1034D for a basic model. So far it works fine and I have had no problems with it.

I have the Brother 1034D for about 2 yrs now and I just love it very user friendy easy to tread. Love It.:thumbup:

A serger will last you a long time! So buy the best one that you can afford! I am still using the same one that I purchased 32 years ago.It's on it's 3rd. motor and going strong! It's been through 5 kids, 16 grandkids, and 5 greatgrands so far! Which ever machine you choose, just remember to keep it well serviced and maintained. Mawluv

Baby Lock with the burst of air threader.What a nice machine.Won't sit there like allot of sergers because of threading problems. Like Mawluv said get the best you can afford.

Toni C is right that if you can afford one that threads easily, you will be happier.

I have Babylock Proline my husband bought 15 or 15 years ago. To this date, it is still going. I love having a serger, made a lot of napkins, doll clothes etc.

Whatever you get, make sure it's a self-threader!

I recommend one of the Baby Lock self threaders. They are wonderful! I bought the Evolution earlier this year and I love it.

I agree with everyone, I have a Baby Lock with the self-threading feature and it is so nice. However, if you can only afford a basic serger, the most important feature to me would be self-adjusting tension. My first serger didn't have that and I was forever breaking thread and having to rethread (and no self-threading). Rarely do I break a thread with the self-adjusting tension.

I purchased the TOL Bernina Serger almost 30 years ago now and it's still going strong. I want the BabyLock Evolution but just can't justify it. As for the air threading etc.. that would be nice but it's not necessary. Almost all the sergers are fairly well labeled on the paths to thread.

If I didn't have a serger I would purchase the BabyLock Evolution but that's me. I've spent a number of hours test driving the various machines and it is a very very nice machine. So the most important thing is for you to spend a great amount of time testing. Define precisely what you want (write a list!) and take that with you when shopping and grade each machine in each area. Then you will know what is a fit for you and your pocketbook.

I have a Husquevarna Viking Huskylock 905 that I adore. My mom has two that she uses for her business, and she puts them through the wringer.

I have the current Bernina TOL serger which I bought lightly used at a very good price and like a lot. I took the classes and don't find threading a big deal. I really like the micro control to get tensions just perfect. It is 3/4/5 thread and has coverstitch too. It seems to do everything I want without being fussy. But is is made by Juki and Juki makes similar models that are cheaper.

I have the Bernina 1150. I didn't go top of the line because I doubt that I'll ever need to do a cover stitch. I'm not sure I've even done a rolled hem. The Berninas are not self threader, but it's not hard once you know how to follow the diagram on the inside of the machine. Don't go bottom of the line no matter what you get. And take a class or something to get started. They are fun machines!

If you are considering a serger - go try one out. Most of the ones that people here have are very good sergers. I found that some are make it harder to do small items with the distance between the knife and the stitch. I do doll clothes at times and got frustrated with the larger foot. There was one Elna and the Imagine that had very short feet. I own the Imagine and have played with the Evolve. The Evolve is a very nice machine, also Babylock. It serges and cover stitches in one machine. I found the foot too wide for my taste although it is one of the easiest sergers to convert to coverstitch. I have an Imagine and a separate coverstitch. The chain stitch is handy for decorative.

Babylock has the best threading so if I were in the market babylock would be my choice

I agree, mine is well-labeled on how to thread, but actually threading it is a different matter! I have to use tweezers, a flashlight, a hand mirror, and a Twister mat! :D

threading on some are a frustrating chore-----baby lock is a dream to thread --- watch the threading being done on all the machines you check out

I have an old Bernina that works fine and has sewn many things. But if I were looking for another serger I would definitely look into the Baby Lock air threading machine. A serger is very finicky to thread and can be frustrating.

BabyLock again Ihated the threading process on my Husky and got rid of it. Babylock rules

Do lots of research and try them out. I have two Husqvarna Vikings, a 910 and a 936. The 936 is nearly always set up for the cover stitch. I make a lot of fleece throws for charity and use the 910 for that. I used to do a lot of apparel sewing for the DGKs and myself, but now I just do the throws and pillowcases. The threading is the most annoying thing about the Vikings, but they are workhorses and I do love them. Just make sure you get your machine cleaned yearly if you do a lot of sewing with fleece or flannel. Mine seized up on me, thought the motor had gone, but it was just packed with lint way inside. Doesn't matter how well you clean what you can see, the fuzz migrates way inside.

Go to some local shops and try out various brands - find out if they offer classes on their machines. I believe classes and support far outweigh most other features!

I agree with Baby Lock. They are so easy to thread with the air threader. I have the Baby Lock Imagine and LOVE it!

I have this and love it!!! It can do so many stitches, cover stitch as well as serging! Well worth the high price tag!

I just don't think a serger is used enough to make the purchase worth while (?)
I've seen many posts here about purchasing a serger, and it sits on the shelf and never used.
Are you sure you will use a serger enough to account for the purchase price?

Agreed - the new burst of air self-threaders are nice, though I often go back to my White Superlock 2000....just can't part with it. The color coding for threading makes it relatively simple to set up. Either way, go for the best you can afford and don't let it sit on the shelf!! Don't be intimidated by it. You will not regret your purchase - best of luck!

I don't see the question asked, what do you plan on using a serger for? Not all sergers are alike. Decide what all you want to do with one and buy the best one you can afford. I agree Babylock makes a great machine. Try them all out.

Definitely the Baby Lock self threader. So easy even a novice can do it.

When I bought mine White was the machine of choice so I bought one. Took it out of the box and put it in the rolling carrier and have never had it out again. Just seemed to complicated and intimindating. I would like to sell it as it has never been used. Still is threaded with the factory thread.

I have the Babylock Imagine which is a self threader and uses 4 spools of thread. You need to have a dealer demo some models and decide what you want now and what you will want in the future. GET A SELF THREADER. SAVE THE CUSSING! SAVE THE FRUSTRATION! SAVE THE DOWN TIME! and when things go completely wrong on the wrong day, save the crying! The more advanced models with more spools do things that don't even look like serger sewing.

Yes - buy the one with burst of air threader! I have an old one that I use fairly often but threading is a pain. One of these days I'm gonna give it away and buy a new burst of air threader.

I NEVER have to thread my serger's bottom loopers - the ones that everyone hates to thread, and I have had it for more than 20 years. When I want to change colors, I cut the looper thread about two inches above the tension disks. This is just below the thread guides. Take off the old thread cones and add the new ones. Put the thread through the guides until you come to the cut end that is still in the machine. TIE THESE ENDS TOGETHER SECURELY.
For the top threads, I remove the spool and pull out all the thread. The top threads are very easy to get through the needle and put under the foot.
Then just sew until your new looper thread is coming out under the foot.
Well, once in a while the knots come loose, and I have to rethread the bottom, too, but a few times in a few years doesn't bother me.

I have this machine and love it. I use it all the time in concert with my other sewing. Never again will I fear threading my serger.

I have an Elna that I bought over twenty years ago. I don't use it a lot, but I'm glad I have a serger. Yes, it has given my fits from time to time. I'm so happy when the tension is right and it sews beautifully. I didn't know they now make sergers that are self-threading. If I used mine more, I'd seriously think about upgrading.

If you can afford the self-threading ones, get one of those because machines of that quality are going to be quieter and nicer to work with.

I have the Brother 1034D and it's been working great for about 3 years. VERY easy to thread - next best thing to self-threading. Switching to narrow rolled hem or back to normal serging takes about 10 seconds.

But it *is* noisy. I just live with it because I love it so much. But, when it breaks, I'll look at the air-threading sergers and see if I can afford one of those. If not, I'd definitely buy this model again. :)

I've tried this and for some reason, it just doesn't work for me! :( I tie the ends in a square knot, but the thread breaks before it finishes its journey. I sure would like to know what I'm doing wrong.

I have a Babylock, one of first sold back in early 80's, a three thread and it is a wonderful machine, although threading can be a pain, it is not that bad. Looked at the new self threading baby lock and could not justify the cost when I had the baby lock. Go check them out and then check Overstock.com and see if they have it on there and how much they want. I got a brother sewing machine for $131. including shipping and Wal Mart wanted $199 for same machine. Also, maybe a used one that someone is selling. Here in FL they come up for sale when someone passes on and you can get great buys on almost new machines.

I have had 3 sergers. The last 2 (which I still have) are Babylocks. The jet-air threading is a life saver. The first serger I bought (another brand) Had a wonderful stitch, but I spent more time threading it that sewing with it. The Babylock sergers are so much easier to use and so much more versatile.

Make sure it's self threading, whatever it is. I also like the differential feed on my Janome. I can put ruffles on things in one swipe!

This is what I have also...had it for 15 yrs...best thing ever...never had a problem with it either and I have used it dailey for window treatments and duvet covers,etc.( home business )