I have a friend that needs a sewing machine. She can't afford much. She is wondering if she bought a serger at Walmart, for around $200 dollars, if it would be a good choice. She is not looking for a lot of fancy stitches, nor quilting, nor anything like that for now. All she needs is something basic so she can make herself some clothes.

Stitchship, I agree with the others, that advised, she should first get a GOOD basic machine to start with and then later when she can aford it get the serger (overlocker)
*4u
"Let us know what she gets"

1 comment

by stitchship 16 Jul 2009

Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it.

I bought a serger at Walmart, Brother, and I love it wouldn't be without it and it was less than $200.00, I think. Tell her to go for it.

1 comment

by stitchship 16 Jul 2009

Thanks for sharing that with us. Can you sew garments with it?

can't help you for that, but your question TTT*

1 comment

by stitchship 16 Jul 2009

Thanks *

I agree with what the others already said. A sewing machine is for general sewing, a simple zig zag stitch will keep seam from fraying. A serger is a wonderful help - but I'd been sewing clothes for 40 years before I bought a serger - which is great for sewing lycra, or T-shirts, but otherwise you need a sewing machine.

1 comment

by stitchship 16 Jul 2009

Thanks for sharing this with us. That is what I thought too.

She does need to shop around some - a basic machine would be of much more use to her than just a serger - but with some lessons and a good book - she can make alot of clothing items and other gifts with a serger, too. *4U

1 comment

by stitchship 16 Jul 2009

Thanks, I will tell her tha.

if she's gonna shop walmart have her check out the regular sewing machines, not the sergers. She really won't get that much use from her serger as a beginner. But a good basic machine will do her just fine (until she gets the fever!)

1 comment

by stitchship 16 Jul 2009

Thanks, that is how I feel.

If she is wanting to make clothes, she needs a regular sewing machine and not a serger. A serger is wonderful for what is for but is not for making clothes alone. It could be used to serge the side seams to keep them from raveling or the hems ,before you actually hem them by regular machine or by hand. Sergers are Not normally bought to just make clothes. If she is wanting to make clothes she needs a regular sewing machine. Sergers have alot of different purposes and could come in handy to someone making clothes but is not necessary to someone making clothes. I used mine mostly for craft items when I sewed alot but it sits in the corner and sews up holes in my son's pockets and long seams now. I rarely ever sew unless I am forced to. My Mom thought all her clothes had to come from the most expensive shops in town when she was working until I made her a few outfits and she never bought another piece of clothes again. No one ever knew I made all her clothes. They thought she was still shopping at all the expensive stores. Whats more, She never picked out the pattern or the material. She left it up to me and she would get 3 or 4 new outfits a month. All she had to pay for was the material and a new pattern. When she passed away, I gave all her clothes to good will. She smoked and I would not even take into my house. I washed everything and could still smell the cigarette odor.

1 comment

by stitchship 16 Jul 2009

Wow! Thanks for your reply! I really appreciate it. I will print it along with the other replies for my friend. You must sew real well, if everybody thought they were from expensive stores! I know this reply will be so helpful to her.

Hi stitchship, I would encourage her to shop around first. I know the Singer machines can be intimidating when you need to thread them, and they may or may not sew through heavy material... this is why I chose the Baby Lock Imagine.

One good thing however is that she can buy the unit and return if unsatisfied. She should also check out some dealers and see what they can offer her (possibly a good deal on a used machine). Also, she needs to look at the challenge of servicing or taking the machine in for repair... Walmart would send her to the manufacturer.

Here is a link to my dealer in San Diego. She could call and speak to them and get another opinion.

2 comments

by stitchship 16 Jul 2009

Thanks for suggesting this idea. I was wondering about this myself. Maybe one of the dealers in the area could have something better than that serger. I will tell her, and see what she thinks.

Thanks for the link. I will check them out. *

by stitchship 16 Jul 2009

I went to their site, and it is impressive. They have a lot of different machines. Maybe I will call them and see what they suggest. Thank again.

cann't help you with this one, but now our question is back on top.

1 comment

by stitchship 15 Jul 2009

Thank you, I really appreciate that. *