serger selection
10-31-2009, 06:49 AM
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 22
i am new to serging--and frankly don't know what threads do what stitches. i am hoping to find an inexpensive (probably used) serger. My main machine is a Bernina 630E--(so i blew the budget on that!)...
what features should i look for in a serger? should i stick with Bernina for any synergy between the features/usage/accessories of my main machine?
any suggestions on where to find a good deal on a used serger?
any recommendations on the 'need' for coverstitch capability? :?:
thanks for any suggestions!!
what features should i look for in a serger? should i stick with Bernina for any synergy between the features/usage/accessories of my main machine?
any suggestions on where to find a good deal on a used serger?
any recommendations on the 'need' for coverstitch capability? :?:
thanks for any suggestions!!
10-31-2009, 04:25 PM
#2
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
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It's not at all necessary to stick with the Bernina brand for your serger; there is no feature interchangeability between a serger and a sewing machine.
IMO, you definitely want differential feed. Probably most sergers have that now, but back when I bought mine it was optional. It *really* helps with sewing on a variety of stretches and eliminates the need for a third hand. :D
I did not buy one with a coverstitch and have regretted it ever since. It's really easy to make t-shirts and other types of tops on a serger and the coverstitch provides a very professional finish. Without it, a lot of my stuff looked more on the "homemade" side.
A lot of people really like automatic threading -- where the air blows your threads into place. Threading is the most tedious aspect of serger use, so this might be worth looking into. It's a feature I'd like to have.
Before buying any serger, check the reviews at http://www.patternreviews.com . Check Craigslist, eBay, and your local sewing machine dealerships for used machines. Check the reviews before purchasing, and I would probably also check the model for "completed listings" on eBay to see what they actually sold for there.
IMO, you definitely want differential feed. Probably most sergers have that now, but back when I bought mine it was optional. It *really* helps with sewing on a variety of stretches and eliminates the need for a third hand. :D
I did not buy one with a coverstitch and have regretted it ever since. It's really easy to make t-shirts and other types of tops on a serger and the coverstitch provides a very professional finish. Without it, a lot of my stuff looked more on the "homemade" side.
A lot of people really like automatic threading -- where the air blows your threads into place. Threading is the most tedious aspect of serger use, so this might be worth looking into. It's a feature I'd like to have.
Before buying any serger, check the reviews at http://www.patternreviews.com . Check Craigslist, eBay, and your local sewing machine dealerships for used machines. Check the reviews before purchasing, and I would probably also check the model for "completed listings" on eBay to see what they actually sold for there.
11-02-2009, 05:59 PM
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: rural Maryland
Posts: 1,564
I am on my second serger. I actually broke one of my loopers. It could be repaired but I decided to trade up. Both of my sergers were Berninas. Unless you get a really inexpensive one they are all getting much eaiser to thread. I like the built in rolled hem feature. Pushing a button or lever sure beats changing a coverplate etc. As for the coverstitch that is easy enough to dublicate with your regular sewing machine with a double needle. If you do it on the regular sewing machine you don't have to worry about the coverstitch pulling out. I am sure you have had a T shirt that had the hem come unraveled. That only happens if it was serged with a coverstitch.
11-02-2009, 06:18 PM
#7
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 22
thanks... were your Berninas the 2000 series? they seem to be very popular. i sure am happy with my Bernina Artista--so that is a name i favor. (although, i'm not sure the sergers are made by Bernina--just FOR bernina).
with the double needle sewing, what stitch? just straight stitch? i've never used a double needle... thx
with the double needle sewing, what stitch? just straight stitch? i've never used a double needle... thx
11-02-2009, 09:54 PM
#8
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Location: Western Wisconsin
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Here is a link to the section of the website that includes serger reviews:
http://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingMachine/Reviews/
I have used a double needle in my Bernina sewing machine. You thread the machine with two threads and use a straight stitch. The top looks like parallel lines of straight stitch; the underside looks like a zigzag. Basically the single bobbin thread zigs and zags between the two top threads to form the stitches. When using a double needle on stretch knit fabrics, I found it very easy to stretch the fabric out of shape while sewing because the sewing machine doesn't have the differential feed option. Sometimes I would get tunneling also, probably from not having the bobbin tension loose enough for the fabric. Sergers do many more stitches per minute than sewing machines also, so sewing a hem with the serger should (theoretically, anyway) go faster than on a sewing machine.
http://sewing.patternreview.com/SewingMachine/Reviews/
I have used a double needle in my Bernina sewing machine. You thread the machine with two threads and use a straight stitch. The top looks like parallel lines of straight stitch; the underside looks like a zigzag. Basically the single bobbin thread zigs and zags between the two top threads to form the stitches. When using a double needle on stretch knit fabrics, I found it very easy to stretch the fabric out of shape while sewing because the sewing machine doesn't have the differential feed option. Sometimes I would get tunneling also, probably from not having the bobbin tension loose enough for the fabric. Sergers do many more stitches per minute than sewing machines also, so sewing a hem with the serger should (theoretically, anyway) go faster than on a sewing machine.
11-03-2009, 04:41 AM
#10
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: rural Maryland
Posts: 1,564
My Bernina sewing machines were and are a 1260, a 1530 and now a 220. I just purchased the 220. I haven't really used it yet but it weighs a lot less than my other two machines. I am going to take it on my retreat next week. The serger that I broke was a 400D. My new one is a 1150MDA. I used to do a lot more garmet sewing. The serger is great for that. I am mainly using this one to make Linus quilts. I do them envelope style on the serger and then machine quilt them on my sewing machine.
If you are willing to learn the ropes you can do a lot of sewing with a serger. It will do eveything a regular sewing machine will do except buttonholes. I have used it to make pillows with a ruffle and a zipper. Every step was done on a serger. The majority of mass produced clothing is done on a serger. It is so much faster than a sewing machine. The only drawback is that if you make the garmet to small there is no going back as it cuts off any fabric past the seam line.
If you are willing to learn the ropes you can do a lot of sewing with a serger. It will do eveything a regular sewing machine will do except buttonholes. I have used it to make pillows with a ruffle and a zipper. Every step was done on a serger. The majority of mass produced clothing is done on a serger. It is so much faster than a sewing machine. The only drawback is that if you make the garmet to small there is no going back as it cuts off any fabric past the seam line.
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