simpsonfs

I have an old Bernina serger that I have put many hours on. It is difficult to thread but I made many many outfits from interlock knit for myself, daughter and niece. I love it for making pillowcases as well. I feel I have really gotten my money's worth out of it but have never used it for quilting. I have dreamed of replacing it with one of the Babylock air thread machines..I am pretty sure they have the patent on that technique and would definitely want to have it. It is a great additional to the sewing room!

canuckninepatch

I have a Singer serger that I got a number of years ago and have definitely gotten my money's worth out of it over the years, with making kids' clothes when mine were growing up, and now with my grandson. I don't use it that often, but when I need it - I need it. I made a bunch of receiving blankets with curved corners (so I didn't have to stop and start) in a new born size, and as my grandson got bigger (he's now 5 months) I made a larger size. He loves to be swaddled when going to bed, and so even at 5 months he's wrapped up like a little "samosa". I would not sell it for anything. I may not use it for another year, but it's there when I need it. As far as the threading goes, I'm a visual person, and there's a picture on it with colour coding for the threading of the various threads. I have no problem threading it, and have never had to get out the book to do so. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

callen

I have had several sergers over the years & the one I LOVE is my Babylock. They are usually pricier than the others but they thread themselves (the loopers anyway) with a shot of air that shoots the thread where it needs to be. The singers I had especially the 5 thread was a "nightmare" to thread & I had years of serger experience. They only work with a foot pedal but I'm sure someday someone will make one with a button to start/stop. For quilting they would do a perfect 1/4" seam & most of them move the knife out of the way when needed. For anyone who does a lot of sewing I think a serger is a must. They finish a garment off so nicely & makes it look so much more professional. If you get something other than a Babylock, there is also a technique where you tie your new thread to each spool of the ones already on your machine & gently pull the threads thru the guides & voila, your machine is threaded. It is important however, for you to learn to thread your machine yourself in case nothing else works. Hope this help

railroad

I purchased one at a thrift store and use it to make pillowcases. Have started a tradition of giving grandkids a Christmas pillow case at the Thanksgiving gathering. THey love them....When they reach the age of 25 they get cut off from new pillowcases, but if there happen to be extras they still want them!

mopec

I am a serger lover!! Over 20 years ago I thought it was something I would never use and can't remember what prompted me to get one. I got a White 634D and have loved it from the start. I never make a garment without using the serger for finishing seams. I do not use it for constructing the garment. I made all tableclothes for my daughters' weddings with rolled hems; wire edged fabric for ribbons; wedding veils with rolled hemming; dozens of dinner napkins with rolled edges to fit the season; wonderful flannel receiving blankets with wooly nylon edges-I couldn't begin to count the number; I could go on and on. A serger is set up right by my sewing machine. Yes they are more difficult to thread, but if you are careful you don't have to do that very often, just tie-on and pull thru the needle. I just bought a used 936 Huskylock and already love it also. It will do more than my old serger, but my 634 retains a place in my sewing room. I cannot imagine being without a serger (and I thought I would never use one)!!

mopec

I might add that as in sewing machines, not all sergers are good. One that does not operate properly would quickly turn you off of sergers. Do your research.

PolkaBabe

I would not be without my serger, in fact I would love to have a second one, this way one would have black thread & the other would be white/light gray. Make a many of my clothing with it. Have pieced an easy pattern quilt & it worked fine.

kellen46

If you get a serger get a Babylock Evolve...the auto thread feature makes it a must. A serger is just a sewing machine that does a different seam. There are a lot of ways to do that different seam, so it can be very versatile. I have made quilt tops but I don't quilt on it. I have made bags, clothes, accessories, doll clothes, and it can so some limited decorative stitching techniques as well. The one you saw was on Sewing with Nancy and that show is the reason I traded my high end serger for a Babylock. It is not a substitute for a regular sewing machine but adds another dimension to your sewing abilities.

judord

Oh, my goodness! I can't believe the replies I am seeing here. I have had a serger since about 1990. I couldn't live without it. I have sewn many clothes, quilts and anything with it. In fact, I have had 3 of them. The Babylock I have now is the easiest with threading. You have to thread each one separately, but you just push it in and it threads itself. It is so easy. I wouldn't want to make clothing without it any more. It just looks so much more finished and professional with the seams serged. Go to your local store and let them demonstrate it for you; and try it yourself. You will never want to go back to anything else. I don't sell them; I am a nurse, so no advantage for me here.
Judy

patdesign

Although the self threading ones are nice, they are very pricey. I have a Pfaff that is older but has a differential feed and I love it, very easy to adjust and not too hard to thread the lower looper. I do not use it that much, but when I need one, I really NEED one.