Serger (under $600) suggestions please?
 

I want to get a serger to add to my tools. I've never used one. Since my main focus is quilting, I don't see myself spending more than 5 - 600 dollars. I do plan to do more garment sewing next year.

I have an opportunity to get one this year and will be testing as many as I can at the Houston Festival but I've found the wealth of knowledge on this board is so valuable. Any suggestions or comments on ones to look for is greatly appreciated.

Babylock with the jet air threading!!! Best investment I have ever made. Perhaps more than you want to invest but well worth it IMO. Good luck!!!

A serger that threaded itself would be awesome! I have a older Bernina serger that adjusts the tensions really easily. All I have to do is set the dial and it adjusts. I really like that and that's why I bought it. I do quite a bit of garment sewing, home dec, etc. so a serger is really helpful. I don't know how much the new Berninas are but I'm guessing they would be much more than $500 - $600.

I have the Brother 1034D. It is around $200. It doesn't have air threading but it isn't that complicated. There are several good you tube videos. I recently made a rolled hem and was able to change threads and settings and back again. No complaints yet.

Babylock known for sergers....very pricey thou...I have had a White brand for years ...been very happy with it.

Viking 200s... Super easy. I bought for my classroom, and then bought one for me. I had a Husky 534 since 1987. Loved it. Just wore it out.

I've had a juki for 30 years, never have had it in for repairs. It's worked like a charm.

I have a Bernina one...Bernette I think...anyways, it was about that price range when my hubby bought it a few years ago. :)

the Babylock with air threading is a dream come true. It is a must for serious dressmakers and sergerists, but it is way too pricey for a tool with low usage. In fact, used sergers are very common on craigs list and run about $200. Many people have bought them and hardly ever used them and sell good ones cheap. My opinion is if Babylock is not in the running, then the rest are all essentially the same, and will do good enough for casual use. Ask around your guild where many may have upgraded and have and older one available. Aquick search on Google shows:
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...r%20for%20sale

Juki or a Janome. both brands have price points from the 200.00 mark into around 1,500.00. Both are well established brands with very few problems. Both brands are also pretty quiet when running; the Brother 1034D sounds like a Threshing machine in comparison. I would confidently buy a mid range machine from either brand.