I had a quick look at the Pfaff Coverlock 3, but at $999.00 ???

WOW! My head is spinning from reading info and reviews on all the different overlockers and I thank you all most sincerely for your recommendations as I have been checking out each machine that has been mentioned.

I think I'll need to do much more research as I feel I cannot justify the price of the Babylock Evolution, at my age, I'll need to do a lot more sewing than I actually do to ever use all its features for the Hefty Price tag of $3,795.00 Ouch!

The two closest machines of interest are both under $2,000 and also have great features, the Bernina 1300MDC at $1,999 and the Huskylock S25 (on special for Mothers' Day) for $1,499.

I think I will have to go and run these through their paces and then I need to consider the after sales support of all three.

The Babylock dealers all seem to be in country NSW, the closest to me being 100 km away, so that is also a problem.

The best and nearest support is Viking, there is a dealer 5 minutes from Possum lodge and she gives free lessons on all machines she sells and she has inexpensive lessons on the Diamond too. This would be great to help me get the most out of my Diamond.
Also the Viking distributer is only 30 km from Possum Lodge, so if I had problems I could just lobb on their doorstep. LOL!!!

I haven't located a Bernina dealer near PL yet, I must go and investigate that aspect.

I really do appreciate any and all comments and I thank you all most sincerely. It is a difficult decision to make.
hugs and roses, Meganne

1 comment

by airyfairy 02 Apr 2011

You have had so much advice Meganne that I only would say that as far as I am concerned it is best to have a dealer fairly close by. Good luck and let us know what you get. Sarah.

Mine is a Husqvarna 936. I've had it for a few years and love it. Makes a beautiful stitch. Threading is a "little" hard but it's been a great machine.
I would also make sure you know where the machine that you pick is being made these days. You wouldn't believe where some of them are being manufactured now. Good luck and let us know what you choose!

I have a brother, I paid $150.00 and it is great!!! don't understand spending so much money for a serger.*****

Meg, there is such a machine called a coverstitch machine. I do not know anything about them could be worth a look. Marg

1 comment

by mranderson 01 Apr 2011

Sorry did not read all your post. Looks like you have already searched coverlock.

I have the Babylock Jet Air Threaded . I have had it for several years . Even though the price is high you won't be sorry. I was lucky to get one from a friend that she wanted to sell so she could buy the newest model . It was in great condition and I can thread it with no problem. Good Luck Nancy

I suppose that is a matter of opinion. I think that if you can get a 23 year old machine fixed it may be a good option. They did build things to last in those days. These days things have a very limited life span. But if you want a new one I am sure you are up to the task of doing some online research to compare them all.
Alice.

Hi, Meganne - Babylock is the way to go.
The air-jet threading is wonderful. I know they are more expensive than the others but you'd never be sorry you bought one. I think the new ones are round about $2450 now..... I know that's quite a heavy commitment but look around for a trade-in and a good dealer. I should have bought one years ago.

I was lucky enough last year to find a Babylock Eclipse 'lx' which was traded in when the latest overlocker came out. It was in immaculate condition and has never missed a beat. I paid $800 and received $450 worth of accessories as well. I was extremely lucky.

I had reached the stage where I could no longer see well enough to thread the Janome and my finger knuckles got in the way so threading that machine had become impossible although the stitch was still fine. I just couldn't do it even with bad words and bad moods.

I hung on for years to that old Janome and it nearly put an end to my sewing enjoyment. I am only just now beginning to think of a project and go ahead knowing I'll be able to complete it with ease.

My daughter bought an Elipse 'lx' about 12 years ago and took it to America where she runs her dance costume business on Babylock overlocker and Babylock coverstitch machines, as well as her trusty old Bernina Artista. She doesn't use a combined overlocker/coverstitch machine as changing it all the time would be too time-consuming and awkward.

Take your time to do some research and look around at the dealers and what they have to offer.

If you can budget as far as you need for a Babylock you'll never, ever regret going the extra distance.

Good hunting, Good luck and let us know how you get on.

AlmaG.

1 comment

by obaachan 01 Apr 2011

I have a Babylock and I LOVE IT !!!!
Jo

Meg mine is an old Brother's Serger but I have watched them demonstrate new Babylock serger & boy I would really like to own one of them. Especially when it zipped the thread through all by itself. Check those out./Lillian

BABYLOCK!! by far is the best. Jet Air thread is a breeze and all the stitches are figured out for the best result for you. Just follow the cheat sheet and no guessing no playing around with the settings unless you want to . I love my Evolution! Suzanne

If your serger is 23 years old, you already understand and don't have issues with threading. I looked at the Babylocks with the air threading but they were really pricey. I bought an Elna and am so-so happy with it. I prefer a serger with manual tension adjustments (the round dial - not the drop-in-thread style). I had a better stitch out on the older style sergers (I have a Bernette Funlock and a Kenmore) than I do with my Elna. I'd check out Craigslist and see if anyone is selling a machine and give it a test drive.

Lori

3 comments

by meganne 01 Apr 2011

Thanks Lori, I'm afraid I'm stearing away from Elna because they are owned by Janome and their service and support here is atrocious.
And this from a staunch (3) Elna owner and supporter. It's a very sad end to a once phenomenal machine, I don't think I'll ever buy a fourth.
Hugs n roses, Meganne

by mehhouse 01 Apr 2011

When I said so-so, it was meant as iffy not that I Love It! The Elnas doesn't stitch as well as my old Bernette or Kenmore. I always have to play with the tension. I'd look on-line at All Brands.com and Craigslist.org. AllBrands will have great prices for new machines and you already are familiar with sergers. Craigslist because so many are selling their machines now because of the economy.

Lori

by mariahail 01 Apr 2011

Kenmore machines are also made my Janome...

ABSOLUTELY buy the Babylock EVOLUTION if your budget allows. It does everything. I had never had a serger and had heard about all the problems with threading so I bit the bullet and bought this one with jet air threading and have used it like crazy on lots and lots of my grand daughters clothes and other things. Go for it!

1 comment

by meganne 01 Apr 2011

OK, so that's what I will check out next.
I used to use an industrial overlocker when I was a machinist (40+ years ago) so threading doesn't bother me, tension, stitch and overall machine quality are far more important. But I'm open for all suggestions and will check them all out.
Thank you for your input, I'm off to Google Babylock. :-)
Hugs n roses, Meganne

I have a Viking 910, and I love it. With me having a home business and doing all the craft shows, it has been a work horse for me. I would buy another if anything happens to it.

Same brand as your old one and hope they make them as well now as they did 23 years ago.

Mine is only 20 years old (tomorrow to be exact, I had a look) and I hope it will serve me for another couple of years. I'd definitely buy the same brand again - a Bernette.

2 comments

by mehhouse 01 Apr 2011

I loved my Bernette but the model I originally bought didn't have differential feed. :( I couldn't afford the upgrade when I bought my first serger.

by meganne 01 Apr 2011

Funny you should say that Martine, I've just looked online at the Bernina 1300MDC. I believe it is made by Juki, one of my favourite manufacturers.
I have had great service from my Bernette and the only complaint I could make would be the lack of a free-arm for smaller articles. But it had never let me down, always stitched perfectly and did a lot of heavy work.
Yes, I would buy another one.
hugs and roses, Meg

It is worth the money if you can aford it to by a Babylock serger with Jet-air threading. User friendly to thread and a workhorse. I bought an Evolve and never regretted it. It is both a cover stitch and overlockmachine.

I have a Brother and love it.

Depends on what you want it to do. If you just want to finish edges and do rolled hems, try this link to a Brother overlock for $169.99. Walmart has it too. Comes with an instructional DVD. I bought one for my daughter.

1 comment

by meganne 01 Apr 2011

I'm in Australia and the freight is a little high for a machine from the States, but thank you for your input.
hugs n roses, Meganne

I have a Baby Lock Imagine. It is a 4 thread, one or two needle serger, air threaded and wonderful. It does a beautiful job, from wide overlock to rolled hems. I would recommend it highly.

One of the ladies we go to a sewing retreat with has an Evolve. Air threading and all. Just imagine, an easy to thread overlocker -bliss! :)