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Some people do all their sewing on a serger, but I have never used one and I have made over 50 quilts. Some people like them....never saw the need myself.
I guess it's just personal taste, like so many other things related to sewing. Unless you are going to use lots of fabrics with edges that could unravel all over the place, I don't see the need. Up to you, in the end. |
:thumbup: I use my surger all the time .... I always make pillow cases to match my quilts and to surge the seams is the only way to go ... so I say if you make anything other than quilts..... shirts or pj pants the surger is the way to go
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Originally Posted by Crazy Quiltin Robin
:thumbup: I use my surger all the time .... I always make pillow cases to match my quilts and to surge the seams is the only way to go ... so I say if you make anything other than quilts..... shirts or pj pants the surger is the way to go
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I know there are several serger ladies (sorry can't remember their names) that use a serger for making their entire quilts. They are well known ladies but their names escape me at the moment but they do rave about using one for quilting and have books out on how to do this. I have one but don't really use it much.
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There was a booth at the Houston Quilt Show that was all about quilting with a serger. From the little I've used one, I think it would be a good deal. If I had that opportunity, I'd take it in a trice!
Try these sites: http://www.sewaquilt.com/quilting-with-a-serger.html http://www.lindaleeoriginals.com/ http://www.sewvac1.com/Library/serger_baby_quilt.htm http://www.ehow.com/how_4929062_make...ng-serger.html Go for it - for $200, you can't lose! |
i have one that was given to me and as a quilter i never used it i used it maybe 3 times and that was on a garment , personally i think if i were you and only quilted i would save the 200.00 for something you could use more often
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I bought a serger and it sat in the box for abt a yr...I then stopped being afraid of it and started to use it in my quilting....I now love using it for putting together my quilts. It gives a finished edge when piecing together and no bulk, seams lay flat...Once you get use to using it it's faster and has a straight edge guide which feets your material thru and cuts off excess material as it goes thru. I get straighter lines using it...It's wonderful...So treat yourself and don't wait a yr to give it a try.
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Originally Posted by Windwalker
I have the opportunity to purchase a Janome Serger 204D machine for $200.00. A friend I've known for over 40 years received it last Christmas from her husband. She told me she just hasn't been able to bond with it and wants to sell it. It is still in the box. She has offered to let me take it home and use it to see if I like it before purchasing.
Now my DH is willing to get if for me for Christmas if I want it. The problem is I don't know enough about quilting to know if I might need this machine. I am working on my first quilt top, I've just had so many family issues that I haven't had time to do any sewing. I have Singer sewing machines now that I am using. And whenever I do get my quilt tops finished I want to machine quilt them myself. So for those of you who have the knowledge, should I seriously consider this machine? If my life slows down enough for me to get serious about quilting like I hope, would I use it? (In case you cant' tell, I'm not even sure what a serger is used for.) Your thoughts and suggestions please. |
I've had a serger for years and use it often when sewing for the grandchildren. The only time I have used it in quilting is to serge quilt backings together. I learned this when taking a class at my local quilt shop several years ago. When it came time to make the backing, the instructor told us what a beautiful job the serger did, and she was right. It was fast and easy. You cannot tell the back has been serged from the right side of the fabric. The quilt went together beautifully, and when I need to piece fabric to make a backing, I am always so glad I have a serger!
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I don't use my serger much for quilting, but if you sew for kids they are so quick for T-shirt & pants. They work great for flannel nite gowns or PJs too. Any knits are done so much easier on the serger too.
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I have a Babylock serger and it is used more than anything else that I have. It also threads very easily. There is a method of 'quilt as you go' where you can piece and quilt at the same time on the serger. It makes a slightly different effect, but works quite well. I also do a lot of sewing of clothing on the serger, as well as household furnishings. However, it depends on motivation, as I have a friend who bought (and wanted) the top of the range serger and sewing machine and both of them have been idle ever since.
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I've had a serger for almost 20 yrs. and I love it.I have pieced quilts with it, I serge around the edges of my quilt, and I just learned the trick of serging the fabric raw edges before washing..
But as you can tell by the comments it is a personal choice and not a necessity. So maybe try it and see what you think. |
I was given a serger machine 5 or 6 yrs. ago, Used it once, and that was to see if it worked. $200 is a lot of money, find out if it is still under warranty also. Check around, I think you can beat that price even with a new one that for sure will be under warrant.
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Originally Posted by sherriequilts
Originally Posted by bearisgray
Serger - I use mine for finishing raw edges before washing fabric
Also - if one makes bags/purses/totes - serged edges really look nicer and wear better than raw edges. I have made two duvet covers as I really prefer to sleep under down than quilts! I used a friend's serger then. Now that I have moved I am thinking about buying one for myself. I asked here on the board which I should buy and most people said Babylock. Yesterday I stopped at a shop to look. They had a Brother on sale that appeals to me, but I don't know anything about them. Also, they had Janome and spoke highly of them. Unfortunately, they don't carry Babylocks. The Brother is self-threading which I really like. Now I am really conflicted as I was READY to buy a Babylock! I make quilts because I like the way they look, but I think I'd make more duvet covers if I had a serger. Serge potholders etc sounds like a great idea. as did the prewash serging! Sounded like a great price. Don't think you can go wrong! |
I have a serger and really do not use it for quilting. I have used it for gk's costumes, dd scrub tops for work - more for finishing seams in clothing.
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Originally Posted by Carol J.
I have had a serger for 20 years and keep it handy,it sits behind my regular machine and I switch places when I need it. I use it for sewing the long seams for backings, it cuts off the selvedge and leaves a thin seam that don't need pressing. I use it sometimes on the outer edges of quilts, it cuts through the backing batting and top and leaves a nice flat edge for binding, if I were more dexterous, I could appley the binding at the same time but that takes some fancy coordination. I use mine for rolled edges onlinen, use a colored thread and do the outer edges of bookmarks, and have made quilt tops with it. I found a book on making quilts with the serger. You can sew squares together, one after the other, don't cut them apart, when you have the number you want, unfold the squares, match them up and they are ready to go the other direction. Find a book on using a serger, it can be used in so many different ways for practical and decorative work. With use you will get experience and read the directions. Mine also has the chain stitch which I have used for basting and seams, just like professional sewing. Patience helps and a determination to master the machine.
Carol J. |
Originally Posted by sherriequilts
Originally Posted by bearisgray
Serger - I use mine for finishing raw edges before washing fabric
Also - if one makes bags/purses/totes - serged edges really look nicer and wear better than raw edges. I have made two duvet covers as I really prefer to sleep under down than quilts! I used a friend's serger then. Now that I have moved I am thinking about buying one for myself. I asked here on the board which I should buy and most people said Babylock. Yesterday I stopped at a shop to look. They had a Brother on sale that appeals to me, but I don't know anything about them. Also, they had Janome and spoke highly of them. Unfortunately, they don't carry Babylocks. The Brother is self-threading which I really like. Now I am really conflicted as I was READY to buy a Babylock! I make quilts because I like the way they look, but I think I'd make more duvet covers if I had a serger. Serge potholders etc sounds like a great idea. as did the prewash serging! Sounded like a great price. Don't think you can go wrong! |
I have a serger and don't know how to use it. My mother gave it to me. It is still in the box.Mom died and now I have no one to teach me how to use it. I know they are good for making clothes , but my aunts do not seem to use them much for quilting. Good luck with your quilting.
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Originally Posted by missionslady
Originally Posted by sherriequilts
Originally Posted by bearisgray
Serger - I use mine for finishing raw edges before washing fabric
Also - if one makes bags/purses/totes - serged edges really look nicer and wear better than raw edges. I have made two duvet covers as I really prefer to sleep under down than quilts! I used a friend's serger then. Now that I have moved I am thinking about buying one for myself. I asked here on the board which I should buy and most people said Babylock. Yesterday I stopped at a shop to look. They had a Brother on sale that appeals to me, but I don't know anything about them. Also, they had Janome and spoke highly of them. Unfortunately, they don't carry Babylocks. The Brother is self-threading which I really like. Now I am really conflicted as I was READY to buy a Babylock! I make quilts because I like the way they look, but I think I'd make more duvet covers if I had a serger. Serge potholders etc sounds like a great idea. as did the prewash serging! Sounded like a great price. Don't think you can go wrong! |
I have had one many years but only used it for sewing clothes. It give a nice finished edge for clothes but I have never used it on quilts so it sits there and sits there.
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Originally Posted by Windwalker
Thank you so much for your input. While I didnt want to pass on a really good deal, I didnt want to waste our money. Anyway how many machines can I use at one time. Looks like DH will have to keep thinking on a gift for me this year.
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I have a very basic Brother serger. If you do other sewing than quilting, GET IT! if it's under varranty. These things are expensive new. For Quilting I use mine to finish edges before binding; before washing new fabric; join backing pieces; to finish edges in small, not-so-fancy utility items like potholders, bookmarks, kitchen towels and place mats. Otherwise for garments, curtains, for anything with long seams, anything stretchy. T-shirts take no time at all to make, knits.
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I have a Babylock serger but do not use it very often because I use my Bernina 730 all the time. However, that said, I recently took a class in using the serger to make a log cabing quilt. The quilt turned out just beautifully! The seams were so nicely finished and laid so flat that it was a joy to press and later to quilt. I would not try to piece lots of little pieces or triangles with a serger, but for strips or rectangles it is wonderful! You chain piece just like you'd do on a sewing machine, but lots faster. Think what you could do with jelly rolls and strip quilts...you could probably crank them out in a day with a serger. I'll bet there are books on this.
IMHO, the biggest reason that people don't use their sergers is that they have trouble threading them. Take a class or two at your LQS so you get comfortable threading the serger. Good luck! |
Thanks for the information on Dresden plate.
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Okay, my two cents on the subject.
I have 5 different machines - 3 are set up and ready to go all the time. My Pfaff Expressions 2.0 is constantly used, My Bernina Deco embroidery machie and then my next favorite machine is my 20+ year old Singer Serger. This is my busy time of year as My DH & I do lots of craft shows and I find My serger is indespensible. Yes, I use it on the many clothing items I make but I also use it on all of the quilts I make, such as baby receiving blankets to edge them, log cabin style quilts using the "quilt as you go" technique, strip piecing quilts once again using the "quilt as you go" and for trimming up the edges of all my big or small quilts before I put on the binding. It makes all my pieces look all that much better. I would definitely take a few days and really play with the serger - it's a blessing when it comes to ruffles, too! As many before me have said it all depends on what you like to make and create. My two other machines - Janome for traveling to workshops/retreats/classes and an old BelAir for heavy canvas and denim work. |
I love my serger! You probably wouldn't use it as much as a regular sewing machine, I dont use it ALL the time, Like now I have been using it to make pillowcase for my DGD's to sell to make money for a mission trip. It is good to have once you get use to using it.(It finishes the seams like on a sweatshirt.)
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Originally Posted by Windwalker
I have the opportunity to purchase a Janome Serger 204D machine for $200.00. A friend I've known for over 40 years received it last Christmas from her husband. She told me she just hasn't been able to bond with it and wants to sell it. It is still in the box. She has offered to let me take it home and use it to see if I like it before purchasing.
Now my DH is willing to get if for me for Christmas if I want it. The problem is I don't know enough about quilting to know if I might need this machine. I am working on my first quilt top, I've just had so many family issues that I haven't had time to do any sewing. I have Singer sewing machines now that I am using. And whenever I do get my quilt tops finished I want to machine quilt them myself. So for those of you who have the knowledge, should I seriously consider this machine? If my life slows down enough for me to get serious about quilting like I hope, would I use it? (In case you cant' tell, I'm not even sure what a serger is used for.) Your thoughts and suggestions please. |
I have a serger that I purchased 25 years ago and it must have a million miles on it. I don't, however, use it for quilting except for serging ends of material before prewashing. I do use it for table cloths, curtains, clothing, etc. I wouldn't be without it. It also is great for doing a small rolled hem for napkins, ruffles, etc.
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I have been sewing for almost 50 years and do not have one and have never used one.
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