What would YOU spend your money on...
 

A serger or embroidery machine?
I really know I will get a lot of differing views, so just let me say that I am into baby quilts, wall hangings (Stupendous Stitching, Stitch and Slash, Sew Wild, Rebel Quilting kind of things) and applique.
I have two sewing machines now.
Would one or both of these machines help in my endeavors? I know you can use stitches on the sewing machines to use on the edges, although it takes more time and precision, I think. Embroidery machine might give me more flexibility in designs. I wouldn't be able to get a top of the line in either machine.
Suggestions and thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

I have had an overlocker (I think it's the same as a serger) for about 20 years. When I used to make a large number of garments (mainly for self and children) I found it invaluable for finishing the seams. I now use it for finishing the seams inside cushion covers, I patchwork and quilt these and sell them for charity. I love it but I am considering buying an enbroidery machine as, like you, I think it would give me more flexibility in design. The big problem is that here in the U.K. they are very expensive. However, good luck to you with whatever you choose.

I'd say get an overlock foot for your existing machine for finishing edges (it has a blade like a SITD foot to help guide you), and get an embroidery machine. Sounds like for the work you do that'd be the most bang for the buck. (This is assuming one of your existing machines has an overlock stitch - check your manual if you're not sure.)

A serger is a valuable tool IF you sew garments. If you only quilt then I would say embroidery machine.

For the official record, I have a serger and wouldn't sew without one. But then again, I sew as many if not more garments than I do quilts. Next on my list of things to buy is an embroidery machine, mainly to be used to make blocks for quilts and wall hangings.

get a serger only if you work on clothes. It is not great for quilting.

my foot would be for the Embroidery Machine.....I currently have both plus another .
Use the Serger perhaps once a year when making holiday napkins....and/or when making charity receiving blanket.
But use the embroidery machine at least once a month....once you get going on the Embroidery Machine you will realize what a great big door it opens for you....with endless possibilities.....

Embroidery machine! There are so many things you can embroider on for babies and children, quilts too. Have had mine for several years and couldn't do without it. Lots of free designs online also.

I would go with embroidery. Unless you do a lot of garment sewing you won't use a serger all that much. You can use an emb machine for blocks, quilting designs etc.
when I was sewing for my kids my serger got a lot of use. i would say it's been 5-6 years since I got it out and used it.

embroidery machine because not too many clothes to sew

I have an every day sewing machine with decorative stitches and I have an embroidery machine which I LOVE. I also recently bought a quilting machine. I considered adding a serger to my studio but after reading on here and buying a book on serging. I realized I would not have much use for one.

Unless you know you are REALLY going to use one, I say to just stick with your sewing machines. I have both a serger, and embroidery unit for my machine which are next to new. The serger I used for a jeans jacket, but never have made another, it sits unused. And the embroidery unit I only used in the class I took on how to use it...which was years ago, and I haven't used it. Maybe if I had girls instead of boys I could use it on clothes? I guess I got deals on both of them and THOUGHT I would use them, but my preference really is quilting...and just don't do other sewing. Maybe someday?? I keep thinking I should just sell them.

I've never had a serger, but have 2 embroidery machines and wouldn't trade them for anything!

I'd go for the embroidery machine. A regular machine can finish seams (maybe not as quickly but it can still be done) but cannot do the fancy embroidery patterns.

I may be a little biased as I have an embroidery machine and I sold my serger. I don't make enough apparel right now for the serger and I use my embroidery machine at least once a month. If I have a large project to do, I will use it several days in a row. JMHO!!

I don't sew clothes any more. I really wanted a serger at one time. Now I'm glad that I didn't. I have embroider capabilities on my machine but then I can sew when it's embroidering. I personally would go for an embroidery machine. I would too, it I got more into the embroidery stuff.

I had a serger and never enjoyed using it so I gifted it to my DH's sister. Then I thought about getting an embroidery machine and realized that I would not like watching the embroidery machine do its thing. I would still need a second machine for sewing. In the end, I acknowledged that I don't really like embroidery so I got the best sewing machine I could afford. Recently I added a sit-down quilting machine to complete the package. One thing I heard my SIL complain about her embroidery machine which is not top of the line either. She says that she can only use one thread color at a time and she finds that annoying. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Thank you all for your thoughts.
I think as I was posting my query, I was also answering my own question. I do not sew clothes, so if/when I buy it will be an embroidry machine. Now to research those! I went to a demo for the newest Pfaff machine but who can afford that?!!!!! And Brother has too many Disney designs for me.
Oh well, something else to occupy my thoughts!

That was a lot of help, MadQuilter; thank you.

You can do both. Sergers don't have to be expensive and I'd vote for a Juki. On the other hand I wouldn't be without an embroidery machine. The quilts you can do.

don't let the Disney designs stop you from considering a Brother. I have had the UTL 2002D for about 10 yrs. now. while I have used the D. designs a few times, most of what i use is from emblibrary.com. they are quality designs at an affordable price. i bought mine online and when it arrived i took it out of the box and started using it. there are some new machines that are emb. only now that have a bigger hoop(5x7 i think) that are reasonable. when you do buy, go for the biggest hoop you can afford

There are several things to consider when choosening an Embroidery Machine. Yes the name and reputation are important, but so is the computer software.....some are very easy to use and navigate thru some are harder to get a handle on and some are damn near impossible. Hope size is also important some are limited to only 4 x 4", others you can go way up in size....Don't say to yourself, I will never want to do something that big, believe me you will...and not to be able to will put a frown on your face.....The kind and availablity of designs are also important, you will probably be doing the majority of your shopping and downloading of designs on the internet.....check what type your machine will use, it is an extension like PES, VIP, HUS or SEW....some are readily availble others are not
Another major concern is how the designs get to your machine, do you have to hook up your computer to the machine ,,,, do you have to buy and use expensive speciality 'cards' are can you use a simple inexpensive USB flashdrive.....I personally have a Brother Duetta, my second Brother machine (I also have a Bernina, which I never use as an embroidery due to its software) The other question should be what does your machine come with does it come with the software for your computer or is it extra, that software can cost you well over a thousand dollars alone. Does it come with hoops, how many and what size......

Not all Brother machines have the Disney designs, or didn't when I bought my Brother 3 years ago. But my Brother is identical to my sister's Babylock but didn't cost nearly as much. If I had the money I would update my machine - seriously consider the new machine that is coming out. The new computer features that are available are so worth the money in my opinion. Much the same reason I would buy a new car and not a 10 yr old car.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the Disney Designs. There are soooo many "free" or "inexpensive" great designs available on the embroidery sites on the internet. I have only used about 3 of the Disney designs myself just because my DGD wanted Mickey and Minnie. I use the USB cord to transfer designs although I do have the PED Basic card reader/writer and can use the memory cards also. The only thing I would like to have that my PE700II doesn't is the ability to use a Flash Drive but that's not the end of the world. The other thing I would like is a larger hoop size but for the huge jump in price, I'm just fine with my 5x7 hoop. My sister has the huge PR650 6 thread machine and I don't think she has done many designs over the 5x7 size. That is a $11,000 machine vs my $700 dollar machine (at the time we bought). She also has the Brother 4500D and she uses it basically for regular sewing and that one was not an inexpensive machine either!!

Can you tell I love my Brother PE700II!?????? JMHO!

ETA: Also, I did not purchase the PE Design software...it has a huge learning curve...I have used my sister's. I use Monogram Wizard Plus and Sew What Pro, both relatively inexpensive programs and I learn them both in just a couple of hours. Or my DDIL did and she taught me but both programs are so user friendly.

An embroidery machine sounds in the future for you. Me, I am saving for one next. I just spent $$$ on a Bernina 380 as the best I could afford for a great basic machine (top of the 300 Bernina seires) and a Bernina 1300MDC serger. I am getting aquainted with my machines and am looking forward to expanding my horizons with them. I am especially ready to try the 1300 out doing quilt as you go on some rows I have designed a quilting motif for. I want to get the project done and once the rows are quilted it looks like I can piece and finish on the serger. just have to keep my quilting out of the seam allowance area.

I use my serger alot, and my embrodiery machine now and then. Between the two, I would vote for the serger if i had to choose. I can't imagine not having my serger. I actually have two.

So much to think about! Thank you all!!!!!!

Well, only because I have a Kenmore/Janome machine that has some fancy stitches and really does a great job and for almost a yr now I've had a Viking Ruby and love it so much. I use it all the time. My grandson and granddaughter are both getting presents from it this yr. I get so many free designs on line and then the others are very cheap because I get them all on sale. I take classes at my LQS so that I can keep on learning about my embroidery machine and not get bored. As far as hoop size, the only one that I have never used it the 4x4. My largest hoop is over 14 in long and then there is the endless hoop. This machine makes me very happy and the more I learn the more I want to learn. Now, I just bought the software which does cost alot (there is a basic organizer that is free with it) so now I can design my own and modify others and endless of things to do. I have a really old serger that I used to use and have been thinking about getting it out again to see if it even still works. I want one of the ones that does auto threadding of thread. Yes, a new serger is in my future, I'm getting back into making clothes and want to make doll clothes for my DGD and I also want to make quilts. I've already bought Nancy Zimmerman's book on quilting with a serger; it's pretty neat. Rather I make clothes, decor for my house, quilts, etc I can see having a reqular machine for when my Ruby is busy embroidering, which is alot. I will always now have an embroidery machine and want a serger and will use them all on a reqular bases. It's easy once you see what all people are using them for out there.

If you make bags or any item that might have an exposed seam - an overlock/serger gives the item a nice finish. It definitely takes away the 'home-made' look.

You can always pay someone to do a little embroidery - the serger would actually do more.

I have several embroidery and 2 surgers. One the newest surgers is a cover stitch only. I use it to do tee shirts and interlock nets. All surgers are not the same. You will have to do some home work. A friend of mine liked mine she bought an upgrade and it is so difficult to use and thread she has never used it. Keep your tools easy to use and you will use them more often.

I have a Diamond and it had a small piece break off and it is still not back . They have had it since June 9. I am sick of the excuses. Now they want me to pay for it . When I turned it in it was covered under the warranty.

I would also say embroidery machine, especially if you like little ones quilted items. They have so many cute things you could add to the quilts that way.

I spent the most I could afford on my embroidery and on my serger to get the features I knew I would use. I was fortunate enough to have used a friend's machines and knew what I wanted. If you do NOT know what you really want, what you will be using in the next 2-5 years, then I suggest you rent a machine, beg or borrow, or take a class on a machine you think you may want. I can't imagine anything much worse than for a dedicated quilter or seamstress to have wanted to buy the perfect (for her) machine and then to settle for something else from lack of knowledge. I'm sure that in the next 5 years you will want to do more, better, different than you are doing now. Who doesn't? Be sure your machine will keep up with you.

I bought a serger at an estate sale a year or so ago and while it doesn't do all the fancy stuff that the latest ones do, I use it constantly for some of the veils I make, napkins and tablecloths, scarves and clothing. I even used it to make netting for my grape arbor!
But if I had to choose, I would chose an embroidery machine. I have two and use them constantly.

I vote for the embroidery machine!

Unless you sew lots of clothes, I'd say get the embroidery machine. I seldom use my serger, but enjoy it when I do. I use my embroidery machine almost every day! One thing I would check, though, is the size of the hoops that come with the embroidery machine. Some of the embroidery fields are pretty small, and if I'm going to embroider, I want it large enough to be seen!

I have a serger have not used it in 7 years,you can do a zig-zag and finishes things off. Good Luck :shock:

I have a brand new serger and have only used it once. I quilt only. Now, I use my embroidery machine for quilting.

When my sewing machine was in the shop and took forever to get a part, I serge pieced a huge log cabin quilt and it did a beautiful job. Even the longarmer commented on how even it was. So consider that an embroidery machine can't substitute for a sewing machine in ways that a serger can.

the brother embrodiery machine I have is also a serger so maybe look for a combination.