one on Ebay that is only $159. It is a Yamata. I've never heard of this brand. Does anyone know anything about that brand? I want it to be inexpensive, but I don't want junk. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!

I have a serger and have used it only a few times. I got it when I was outfitting my sewing room. It does everything you can think of to do. I was amazed at what they can do. I took a few lessons. You have some good advise make sure you have someone that can work on it. *4u all

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by dlmds 15 Jun 2009

Colonies, I sure agree with you, lessons and repair are very important. H&*.

Waterlily, I would not cut corners on the purchase of a serger, even If I had to make payments to have a good one. I went cheap for my first one, it turned into a nitemare trying to figure it out, and putting it to use. #2 was alittle better, however, each time that I had a thread break, I would spend alot of time trying to get it rethreaded, then test again, in the middle of a project, then you have to try and serg from scratch again . I know of many people that have gone cheap and now have sergers that they do not use, or are afraid of. Haha!! Honestly, I am not an agent, and I recieve nothing from this company. I would recommend the "Babylock Imagine",if you plan to do any serious serging. It is a wonderful serger, the #3 for me and the best home serger that I have found. It has very easy threading, and sews thing out, thick or thin fabric beautifully. H&*.

I have used a serger for over 20 years. My first one was a Baby Lock and I had some basic lessons. I now have one I bought at Sears. I love it. By the way Janome makes the Kenmore sewing machines and sergers. I would say the most difficult thing is threading it! And that is not all that difficult. The one from Sears comes with a video. As others have said there are lots of how to books. The thing with getting one from a dealer is the ones I've seen at different dealers are quite a bit more expensive. If you just want to be able to finish off your garment and are not worried about getting into fancy functions (though you can do a number of things with the Kenmore) I would get the Kenmore. It is much, much less expensive. They may have some on Ebay. I can sew a pair of shorts or pants for my granddaughters completely on the serger in about 1/2 hour or less. I only use my sewing machine for the hem and elastic casing. I have not heard of Yamata but that doesn't mean it isn't good. Google it and see what info you can come up with.
Kathy

I have two sergers and use them all the time, one is a Kenmore from Sears it is 4 thread, I also have a Pfaff 5 thread. This one serges the edge and sews the straight stitch. I do a lot of sewing of square dance outfits and the whole outfit can generally be done on the serger...Wal-Mart has Brother and Singer at very reasonable prices..

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by waterlily 14 Jun 2009

I have seen a Singer at Wal Mart, and debated on whether or not to get it. I'm not a big fan of Singer Machines. But the price is deffinately right.

I bought one at Costco...inexpensive...isort of figure things out...would have been nice to have a frw lessons but i'm luckey to have one at all

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by waterlily 14 Jun 2009

So, it isn't too hard to figure it out for the basics? That's good to know. It can't hurt to take some lessons and see just what it can do for you.

I agree with buying from a dealer for service and help/lessons. I've had a Viking for 8 years. Love it but don't use it to it's full potential!!! I've there are some self threading sergers out there now. How wonderful that would be. Sounds like a lot of people have troublt with the threading. ME TOO.

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by waterlily 14 Jun 2009

The threading it the part that I dread the most. I guess I'll have to wait and see once I finally get one.

Sergers are great. Why do you want to buy one? just to have it or to use it. I have had mine for years and it only has 3 threads. Everynow and then I think about upgrading to 4 threads. I stop, think when did I last use the serger and as it was ages ago I dont buy. (I can always borrow a 4 thread if really needed) It does produce a brilliant finish when producing garments. My daughters used to love using it to make blankets for their dolls when they were little

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by waterlily 14 Jun 2009

Oh,I deffinately want to use it! I don't sew nearly as much as I used to,that is one reason I want to keep the price down.

I've never heard of that brand, but I do think it's a good idea not to spend a fortune on a machine you may not even like. So many people buy them, use them for awhile and stick it in the closet. If you really like it, you can upgrade later. They are soooo much cheaper now than when they first came out.

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by waterlily 14 Jun 2009

When they first came out, I was doing a lot more sewing,but there was no way I could afford one. Maybe if I have a serger, I will start sewing more again. I have a tendency to put off sewing projects because I hate the extra steps of finishing off the edges etc.

Yamata is a decent brand, but if you don't have a dealer nearby that can service it, it isn't worth the "deal" to get it. Besides, the shipping from the eBay seller will easily eat up any savings you would get over buying a used machine from your local dealer. Buy local, and save yourself a huge headache in the future. =] Also, take lessons so that your investment won't be wasted by being too intimidated to actually use the thing. Good luck, and have fun!

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by waterlily 14 Jun 2009

Very good point. I am not a big fan of Singer,but at least I know there is a dealer close by. I thinkI might be better off paying a little more so that I can at least have it serviced if need be.

Colleen, I don't have one - but my Mother does and I am about to learn how to work with it - I hope to go to the dealer and let them know - I need help and they will say - of coarse bring it in and we will teach you - Hehehe! Good luck with whatever you end up with and I do hope it is inexpensive, but just the right machine for the work that you need to do one it. I did see some lovely light weight PJ's on the wall at the Baby Lock dealer just yesterday - they said that they were made with the serger - they were really nice and had tucks and all sort of pretty lace and stuff. *4U

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by waterlily 14 Jun 2009

My Mother in law used to make Porcelain Dolls, and make all the clothing on a serger. The stuff she did was amazing! AND...she had never really done a lot of sewing,otherthan mending the kids' clothes. I figure if she can do such beautiful work, it can't be TOO hard to work with once I have the threading part down. LOL!

DO get one from a dealer! They can and will help you if you can't figure out how to use it! I must say, I STILL have trouble threading the thing! BUT I use it all the time. I don't know WHY I have so much trouble threading it! Yes, I do tie the new & old threads together and pull them through, but sometimes the tread breaks and I can't do that! Besides was told it's not good for the tension to do that. I have a Viking, but not the computer one. Viking is coming out with 3 new sergers...but am sure I wouldn't be able to afford one!

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by waterlily 13 Jun 2009

Yeah...I'm sure I can't afforda Viking! Probably not even a very old, used one.LOL! I just want something that actually does the job it says it is going to do. I DO think that buying from the dealer is a very good piece of advice!

by iris2006 14 Jun 2009

Gerry, I learned to thread the thing with 4 different colours so you can see what every thread does, hope this is a help for you too. See you're PM.

by clawton 14 Jun 2009

It will be interesting to see if Viking changes the new sergers. The last time I looked at new sergers at Viking they appeared to basically be the same as my 8 year old one.

Waterlily, I have a Brothers Serger,Bought it new & have had it over 10 yrs. I've never had a lesson on it but use it a lot. I simply read the manual, looked at a video, bought some how to serge books at that was all I needed, but I've been sewing just about all my life. there r some fantastic books out there showing u how to do just about everything. I believe I paid about 269.00 for mine but as I said it's over 10 yrs old. the only time it was n the shop it got out of time once, cost me $25.00 to get it fixed, cleaned & serviced. *4U

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by waterlily 13 Jun 2009

Thanks so much! They kind of look intimidating since you have to thread it 3 or 4 times. I just love the idea of sewing, trimming, and finishing all at once. It would take me 1/3 the time to finish a garment. If it can be as simple as doing some reading...I'm all for it!

Thanks for the info!

with any machine you buy make sure you have a dealer close by that can work on it. and if you have never used onesomeone that could teach you also. I just bought my first serger but I bought it from my dealer who is only 20 min away. I already take private lessons for my D1 so now I take them for my serger too. the lady I take lessons from is certified and is who my dealer always reccomends for classes. my seger was $200 which was pretty good to me. it was a used one but came with a warrenty from my dealer.

Just a little advice in advance I have heard to many people buy one and never use it because they are afraid of it LOL

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by waterlily 13 Jun 2009

Thanks for some really good advice. I can get a singer for ab out $200, and I know there is a dealer close by. That probably is teh bestway to go. Another $40 on the price would be worth it to make sure I can get it serviced.