I want to buy an inexpensive serger. Since I already own Janome machines, I was leaning towards a Janome serger. However, my husband found a Singer one for less than $200. I've never serged before and not sure what to look for in one. What are the "must-have" features on a serger and do any of you any recommendations? Or machines that you would definitely stay away from?

Thanks! :)

Personally I wouldn't buy a Singer serger...they don't have great reviews. I've owned a couple Whites (one very old one that was excellent!), a Brother (1034), and now have a Toyota & a Euro Pro, neither of which I'm real happy with. The Brother was by far my favorite & can be found online around $200. Super easy to thread & use, quiet & smooth, good value for the money. I've owned Janome machines but not their sergers, if I had the $ to blow I'd get their coverstitch machine in a second though!

Oh, must-have features (gotta learn to read better). Differential feed, 3 or 4 thread option (minimum), extra feet & plate, ease of threading, especially that lower looper, ability to buy parts like extra cutting blades, off the top of my head anyway...My oldest White would serge through several layers of denim without a hitch, nice metal machine. The Brother was good for that too.

I would recommend going with a $200.00 one to start with and see if you like using a serger. I bought a Viking 910 for $1000.00 and I would use it more if it worked, or I understood it better. Most complaints come from threading the machines. There is one that will "whoosh" and thread it for you, however, when the "whoosh" is gone you either need to pay for repairs or do it manually anyway. It just takes practice. I'm about ready to take mine and throw into the parking lot of the dealer!! If I had bought a less expensive one I could have bought 5 new machines by now.

The machine is going to make the same stitch, no matter how much you pay for it. So why pay more till you know you are going to love it!!!!

I do love making up pillowcases on mine. And I sew the seams on totes so they are good and strong. That is when it cooperates with me......................

Have fun and good luck!

I used to sell Singer machines and sergers--I bought Pfaff while I was doing it. Unless Singer has greatly improved their sergers, I wouldn't have one.

I have a Janome model HF504D but I bought it about 7 yrs ago. It has been just fine. I have used it to make my son a quilt (I serged all of the top) and it turned out great not bulky at all. I love mine, do I use it as much as the sewing machine no, but it is good to do a lot of things the machine can't. Glad I have it!

the main thing i would say is get one with at least 4 threads

I have a Janome serger, and I've been happy with it. Ease of threading is pretty much the top thing I would look for, and the lower looper is the hardest one to thread. On mine, that has proven to be pretty easy( if you follow directions!!LOL) As to what features to look for, I think that will depend on what, and how much ,you plan to use it for.The rolled hem foot and differential feed is important, and a 3/4 thread. Personally, I use mine a lot, but mostly for straight seaming/finishing, I've never really tried to do most of the things they can be used for, the decorative type sewing. If that is of interesst to you, you will need to study serging books and even take some classes to get the most benefits.

I bought a Singer 2o years ago, and had no problems, it is a four thread you need four thread because you can sew wth it also, I wouldn't spend alot on it because you won;t use it as much as you yhink, imho,

I have the 2 both singer.. I love singer.
The newest is the Singer curve. it has 120 programed.
stitches . I believe 20 different feet. including a walking foot and a ruffler. then it has you serger feeds too.
so as a quilter and a seamstress you get everything ..
i bought mine on hsn and used the flexpay. worked fine for me. I hoped this helped.

I have a Bernette (made in Japan for Bernina) that I bought in 1985. It runs like a jet engine and has an attachment that does rolled hemming. It's a workhorse, I use it constantly. I have NEVER changed the blade and that is after thirty years of sewing on fleece! If you are interested in serging, buy a good machine. Most have all the features built in but I would shop around and get demos before buying. You need to know what you will be doing with it. Bernina is the best but there are many on the market that are just as good. Don't go for price. I believe a serger for less than $200 will give you just what you pay for. A serger is a fast, strong machine and it best be built well to take the abuse it normally will get just using it. Good luck and happy serging!

My recommendation for must haves:

Rolled hem capability without changing plates
3/4 thread
Differential feed
Free arm is nice if you can find it

I wholeheartedly agree, Scowlkat!

Here's my two cents...I have the under $200 Singer serger. I bought it a few years ago, convinced that I had to have a serger (even though I had no idea what I was going to do with it) I am sure that there are better machines with more bells and whistles but I am really happy with my little serger. I make pillowcases and such, but mostly I make receiving blankets and burpies with it and it does just fine, for now. A new one with different feet and more options is on my wish list, but I really can't complain at all about the one I have.

i agree make sure you would use one first

I have had a Singer serger for 15+ years. I have had no problems with it and it is still going strong today. I have not used it on quilting projects but used it a lot when I was sewing for the grand kids and making craft items. However, everyone has their favorites. Before you buy, you should go to several dealers and request a good hands on demonstration and then select the brand you feel would work best for you. Also, ask about lessons as some dealers provide several of these as part of their service when you purchase a machine. Most dealers also sell reconditioned machines that they receive in trade when someone buys a new machine. Good luck.

I have a Babylock Imagine (4 spool). I have had other ones and this one is the easiest to use. Also it has a self-threading feature which you will learn to appreciate. I found that the ones with a bunch of dials to work were a pain in the neck

I have this serger also. It is more expensive, but I'll never have another brand. I only use mine for apparel sewing-which I do a lot of. And did I mention it has self threading loopers! Way to easy to use!

I have a surger right here beside and it is a 4 thread. I have to rethread it and my DH tried twice and it did not do right so now I have to try. they are terrible to thread.

I have the same plan a good serger that can be really handy for a beginner without the $$$ that hurts my pocket, so i have been shopping for a while and want to pass my conclusion to you price and rating wise. Look at this link and read all the comments of all the buyers of this brother machine you would have a clearer idea:

http://www.amazon.com/Brother-1034D-...7122672&sr=8-1

Good luck

I also have the Babylock Imagine. This is my third serger. I hated my previous two because they were so hard to thread. I would do anything I could to avoid changing thread color! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this serger. It practically threads itself. I would never buy another brand.

differential feed

The Brother 1034D is one of the best inexpensive sergers you can buy. I got mine at Walmart online for way less than $150 and it is awesome. It does almost everything most individuals require from a serger with the exception of a coverstitch. That wasn't a big deal for me - as if I really needed that stitch I could easily duplicate it on my traditional sewing machine with a twin needle setup so no love loss there. I love it and its a well established brand/model with easy to find parts, accessories and very reasonable to repair when it should ever break. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a very reasonable solution that should do everything you could want. Check out the videos on Youtube for this model (rather the instructional videos) and you can see exactly how it works and how its setup to get a feel for it. I hope this helps!

Explosive blessings, abundance and inspiration to you all!
- The Creative Seamstress

I bought a Brother 1034D from AllBrands.com last Spring and I love it! They have lots of different brands, great prices and had it on my patio two days after ordering! Fabulous customer service & phone # for questions. Very helpful folks!

Two things I do not have an wish I did are differential feed and a free arm. I make bibs with a ribbed neck and used to make a lot of tee shirts --- therefore the free arm would be wonderful.

Speaking of "ease of threading" -- sergers can be difficult to thread - but I hardly ever thread mine because I cut off the thread at the spools that are on it and tie on the new color from there - run it through until your new color is coming through on all 4 threads and you're good to go.

I have a Janome, 4 spool serger.and the best thing about a Janome is it takes standard 11-14 sewing needles. :P :P :P :P :thumbup:

Make sure it is at least a 4 thread.

I have a white that I got on sale for 199.00 and it's just a basic which is fine for what I use it for which is just serging seams....But my problem is I can't find any additional feet for it...So just make sure there are assesories out there for whatever brand you buy.

So as you can see, there is a lot of reading and learning to be done. I will say you get what you pay for! Sergers can be great when they work great but when they don't they are a pain! I would buy one at your LQS where you can get lessons and ask questions. Baby locks are fabulous, but yr talking more money, remember though you get what you pay for!

I have a Viking and a Pfaff. I use the Pfaff more as it is easier to thread. I am looking in getting the Babylock and will trade the Viking in when I do it. Then my Pfaff will be my back up. I've been in serger retreats where they have the Babylocks and they are dream machines. They can be threaded in any order, unlike my other machines which have to be threaded in a certian order. They also have many different feet.

Not having the freearm on my Imagine Babylock is the only complaint I have about it

Janome is a great serger and easy to thread and has easy conversion to rolled hem. They have a 5 thread serger that does cover stitch also. Easy to set up because it had a dial that set things up for you with a handy guide. They had a free arm so you may be able to find one of those used. I am luck and have one of those and love it.

being able to thread it. i have one. can not thread it. hate it because of that. do not use it. you try to thread it BEFORE you buy it.

I went to a workshop to see what sergers were all about and I think I would really like one - I just haven't done anything about it.

I have 2, the Babylock Imagine that self-threads the loopers (whoosh!) which is the one I use. I love it and if wore out I would get another. I also have a Pfaff Creative 10 thread serger --what was I thinking when I bought it? I never use the Pfaff, it's way too complicated -- would love to sell it if anyone is interested. Unless you are doing a lot of decorative serging, a 4 or 5 thread machine is adequate.

I had a babylock serger that is really good. They are a bit pricey but they are really nice.

I have a White Superlock 2000 ATS that I bought through mail-order several years ago. I use it all the time both for clothing construction and have also made quilts with it. I particularly like the rolled hem feature. All in all, I think the true key to sergers is to leave them set up and ready so that you will use them; become familiar with them so that threading becomes second nature; and buy a specialty book to learn techniques instead of just overcast seams.

I bought a brother for under 200 it has 4 thread, differential, roll hemmed, extra foot and free arm. the lower loop is easy to thread, plus pictures on the case, use mine all the time- got at walmart on line, made baby receive blankets pj, and baby quilt ,love it

Although it costs more, I bought a Juki in 1999. It can be sewn with either 3 or 4 threads, came with several feet, a good manual, and has never been worked on. It is a workhorse & does not vibrate. IMO, most sergers are difficult to thread but with patience & practice, it gets easier. Another important consideration is the dealer and take classes if possible (try the local VoTech adult ed. classes).

I agree, although changing plates is not that difficult. I'm still using the Singer serger I bought nearly 30 years ago, and it's seen a LOT of use. I don't use it for piecing quilts because all that thread makes the seams to thick to lay nicely or quilt through.

I have a Babylock Lauren. The best ones thread themselves but they cost a lot. They are hard to thread & use lots of thread. Make sure you buy where they will show you how to use it. They can be trickey. Good luck.