Question about serger
 

I found a Huskey Lock serger with case and some extras on craigslist. I have a regular sewing machine but I thought this would be a great thing to have. Do you have a serger, do use it a lot and is it easy to use? Thanks in advance.

I have a Simplicity brand serger which is about 20 or so years old. It's been nothing but a headache nearly every time I try to use it. On the rare occasion I get it working well, it gets all messed up if the thread breaks or I have to change colors. Even if I tie on the new one to the old one, it still doesn't thread right. I have had it in the shop a few times. I think if there is any slack in the threads, they cross over wrong. I'm not spending any more on it. I wish I could get it working...it's nice for making curtains. If I ever got the desire for another, I'd buy the self threading one. But they are pricey, so that's likely not going to happen.

Be sure you try it out before you buy it. Try googling for sewing machine reviews also. It's always good to read about the particular brand/model to get feedback from owners.

I have a Kenmore that is over 20 years old. Have only had to have it serviced once and that was in 2011. I love it. I use it when making log cabin or disappearing 9 patch quilts. Wouldn't be without a serger.

I think a serger is the most useful tool to have. Just watch a few online sewing shows that give you an idea of how to use them and you will be hooked. I've got a Baby Lock and find it far superior to the other two that I had. However, they were good for their era too and one of them was a Husky.

I have three Bernina sergers and love them. Although I have used them for quilting (much to the shock of the quilt police), they usually sew children's garments. With a serger you can make a T-shirt in five minutes.

I have a Husky 936 serger/coverstitch and love it. At first the machine was a bit intimidating but once I got the threading down it's easy breezy now. I use it almost daily for all kinds of things. Just remember to clean it will and keep it well oiled and it should work for you just fine. If you have a Hus. dealer in your area they might offer classes on serger use. My dealer did and that is where I learned how valuable a serger can be.

I have a 'hand-me-down' Simplicity serger and, quite frankly, I don't know how I got along without it! I LOVE it. I whipped up three fleece throws for grandchildren for Christmas and it took me less than 1 hour - including changing thread colors. I've made myself Yoga pants on my serger and pot holders and just today, I am making a wine bottle cover for a friend. Sure it takes some time to learn but if you read the instruction book it will help and you too will love it.

I have an expensive serger but every time I try to use it, the threads break. I can't thread it myself because it seems so daunting. I take it to the shop I bought it at and the gal there threads it. I finally just put it in the closet because I couldn't finish one project without the threads breaking and the gal at the store acted tired of threading my serger for me.

I bought a self-threading Babylock serger and I use it all the time. Since I bought it I have started sewing things I had never sewn before. My next project is to make a serger quilt.

My firrst serger was a Juki that I used for making clothing for my 4 daughters. Then I decided I wanted one with the cover stitch and bought a Pfaff. Your need a 5 spool for the cover stitch. I make scrub tops occasionally and when I do I set them both up with different color threads and do assembly line sewing. I can sew a bunch quickly. I don't use mine daily but when I need it I really need it. I think everyone that sews should have a serger.

I had a Euro-Pro from HSN that I did NOT like. Sold it on e-Bay because I never used it. Now I have a Brother Serger that I do love. I do use it a lot, and it is easy to thread myself. It has 2 DVD's as well as a great manual with it. I recommend Brother products. It is a Brother Lock 1034D, and I got it online from Ken's Sewing in ALABAMA. I recommend his shop very highly for buying online. He is the Brother online distributorship, and he takes care of his buyers, and packaging for shipping is great. I've been to his store to pick up my first machine from him and am satisfied. He has almost 50,000 internet sales with 99.7% satisfaction. I am just a satisfied customer.

I think they have their place and it all depends on what you are doing. I don't use them at all for quilting but I do make clothes and pillowcases occasionally and I use a serger for that.

I have had a serger for years. I use it mostly for clothing but when I do applique blocks, I serge the edges of the foundation tho keep them from stretching and fraying, MIRACULOUS!! If you are having problems re-threading ( a real pain in the neck) just DON'T. Snip the threads at the cones and tie on the new threads, then turn the wheel to hand advance the the new thread. Stop at the needle(s), snip the knots off, and re thread the needle(s). the bottom threads (with the knots intact) will go through the bottom "loopers" just fine. Get a scrap of fabric and serge till the old thread is completely gone and new thread is all there is showing. DONE!!

I also have a 936 Husky and I love it. I have an old Brother in the closet but it would break the threads and was a bear to use. This one is so easy to thread and when you want to change colors you can just tie them on and be done. I like the serger to finish seams.

I love my Babylock because of the theeading. I also have a top of the line Bernina that I cursed everytime I had to use it. Took me longer to thread and get properly adjusted that to make the project. No regrets anout the Babylock.

It sounds like majority of people here like the serger. I think I will purchase it from craigslist if it still available. Thank you very much for all the comments:thumbup:

I also have the Brother 1034D serger. One of my best purchases ever. Use it constantly. I don't know why I was so intimidated...it really is easy to use.

I use my serger more for sewing than quilting ... although I have used it for decorative stitching on a quilted project and that was neat!

ali

i have a babylock from many years ago, 3 thread, and used only for basting (with long stitch) and overcasting....elna 4 thread used for seaming knits, seaming wovens, and all straight line quilting... love the speed, great tensions, easy to use... i have a pfaff for sewing and i would estimate about 60/40 with the pfaff slightly ahead...

I also have a Brother. It is new and I have not tried it yet,but after reading the comments on the gals that have Brother sergers I am glad I chose this one.

you mentioned this before ... did you use the order i suggested in that thread?

It depends upon what model of Huskylock it is - my first serger was a used Huskylock and it was INSANE to thread. I mean real tears! Gosh, that was the most frustrating bit of machinery I've ever touched. Once you got it sewing, it was great, but getting it threaded - Lord, have mercy!

Then I got a used Babylock 400 serger and I liked that all right, but it was a bear to thread and it didn't do some of the things I wanted it to do.

So I bought the very cheap Brother 1034D on walmart.com - less than $200 and I use it all the time. It's so easy to thread, I can almost do it with my eyes closed. Changing to a narrow rolled hem takes seconds. It's quite a bit noisier than some of the very expensive sergers, but I'm not using it for hours at a time, so I just put up with it.

Whatever you buy, make sure that it will be easy to thread. It takes the fun out of it when you have to spend an hour threading and re-threading before you can even use the machine.

This being a used machine, it may be elderly enough that it doesn't even have a differential feed. There are a lot of normal sewing situations which require that differential, so make sure it has that.

Good luck and have fun!

Sergers
 

I have a Babylock Serger which I absolutely love. It is self threading (for the loopers) & for anyone who sews I feel a Serger is a necessity. I cannot imagine sewing without one. Have had Singers in the past but the quality of the Babylock is by far superior. Just my opinion.

Santa brought me a the Brother 1034D for Christmas, I have watched a couple videos on this particular machine and can't wait to actually sit down and get to know it. It's like with anything new, I am hoping once we are pass that new stage we will become best buds.

I have a serger that is about 20yrs old that I use to use for making clothes. I havent used if for almost as many yrs. I've been thinking lately about getting back into it but not sure if I have the instructions to the old simplicity or not and if it still works; it used to. I have a friend who serges around her quilt tops once they are completd until she has time to quilt them. She can see in a moment is they are finished tops or not and it protects them from raveling while they are waiting to be finished.

Serger
 

I have a Brother serger I got from my mom and the thing has never worked correctly. I took it to my service guy and he got it working but it didnt last long. So today I went to the store and bought a used Bernina serger. It looks a lot easier to work with than the Brother. So put me on your prayer lists ladies. Hopefully this one will be a pleasure to work with!!!!! Im trying to make blankets and pockets for those little ones who dont make through birth. Our OBGYN ward in our local hospital needs something respectful for these little ones. I wanted a serger to keep the thin fabric from raveling.

I can't imagine doing without a serger for clothing construction. There are just too many threads for me to want to use it for quilting, but there is nothing better for making knit clothing. I made so many knit tshirts and sweatshirts for my children! I also made a lot of slacks, or at least most of the construction was done on the serger.

Those who say a serger is hard to thread need more practice. Some definitely are harder to thread than others, but mostly it is a matter of lots of practice. The sequence of threading is absolutely critical, or at least they have been on the sergers I have owned. In the serger classes at my LQS, they make the new owners thread the machines from scratch 8-10 times in the class! I think that is the only way to really get good at it.

Pam

I have a Brother and it has served me well. I use it for napkins, baby contour (fitted) sheets and anything else for a more finished look. Once you get the threading down the rest is a breeze.

I had a serger for about 5 years before I broke down and took a class, now I can't imagine sewing without one. Find a good class (our instuctor made us unthread and rethread our machines until we could do it without breaking into a sweat) before she began showing us how to use it. Then start using it - try this one:
http://www.sewvac1.com/Library/serger_baby_quilt.htm, I have made several including one in batik flannels, that everyone loves, even donated one for our Christmas Bazaar at church, it brought in a nice chunk of change! You will soon wonder how you ever sewed without a serger.

I bought a serger Elna pro4 dc at a thrift store for $100 problem is no pedal. It will cost me another $80 to buy a pedal. Is the serger worth the extra cost. Anyone?

I have a HuskyLock 530, love it. Have had it since 1986, all I've ever had done to it was cleaned a couple of times and new knife put on it when cleaned. It's great when making clothing items, especially flannel PJ's and sweat shirts, finishs off the seams and no fraying. I could not do without it, use it often, it was well worth the money. I would definitely try it out, find out last service and where. You may want to check to see if there is a HuskyLock dealer nearby and ask if they know where you can take lessons if your uncomfortable to just jump in and try sewing with it. Good luck.