Please help! What serger/overlock--brand and model please--do you have & why do you like it? I need to get a new one, & I need some advice. THANKS!

I bought both of mine used at the local sewing center. I bought used because I was a single parent at the time and really couldn't afford a new machine. They are a Bernette 934 and a Bernenna 700D. I love them both. I had originally purchased a 5 spool machine which was just to much for a beginner and exchanged down to the bernette back then. I've had my machines for at least 15 years if not more. I would be lost without them! I too tie the threads to thread through the needles, much easier to do that way, lol!
A neighbor I had about 10 years ago asked this of me and I told her what I had, where I bought them and why I loved them. I also told her they had free classes to those who bought a used or new machine so you could learn how to use your machine. She went to Walmart and bought a White, worst machine I ever had the displeasure of having to work with! Difficult to thread, constantly jamming, missing instruction manual, I hated when she called me to help her figure out to get it to work right again! I told her several times to take it back! When she didn't I finally told her she was on her own. I took an oath to NEVER buy a WHITE brand machine EVER because of my experiences with hers. My sister in law bought a sewing machine for my niece for christmas, because I sew she asked me what to buy. My response Do NOT buy a WHITE, and told her to go to my sewing center and get a used machine if the couldn't find a new one that was a beginner machine at a price they could afford. The main reason, they will give you free lessons for as long as it takes you to get aqquainted with your machine. The best service I've ever had. I would recommend them to anyone anytime!

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by sewfrenzie 31 May 2012

Oh I forgot, make a list of ALL the questions you could possibly think of and bring them with you, if they can answer your questions and are more than willing to sit down and demonstrate every machine you are looking at, this is who you want to buy from. Worst thing in the world is to purchase a machine and then not get help while you are learning to use the new features it may have that you are not familiar with.

by drro 31 May 2012

Thanks so much for your help!! God Bless!!

ttt See my coment below.

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by drro 31 May 2012

Thanks so much! ...and God Bless:>)

I have had a Janome 634D for about 10yrs. and the only problem I've ever had it was when I was changing thread and didn't thread it correctly - several tries later - but of course this is operator error (hehe). I think all sergers should have and automatic threader! Would make serging so much more enjoyable - as it is very frustraing to change threads and get it wrong!

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by drro 27 May 2012

agree! and after reading everyone's replies here, and watching videos about the Babylock, I am pretty convinced! I will let you know after Tuesday!

by drro 27 May 2012

Thanks for your help! Hugs and God Bless! Now I just need to decide which one!

I now have a Babylock Eclipse 'lx' overlocker and it is wonderful. Apart from reliability and strength and all the beautiful projects that can be done with the different feet, the air-threading is the best feature.
I was fortunate enough to find an excellent second-hand Babylock overlocker which had been always carefully used and serviced and then traded in for the latest overlocker. I got over $400 worth of extra feet and the manuals as well, all for AU$800, and everything was in as-new condition.

I was in your position for many years and as my eyes and fingers aged the threading of my old Janome became a frustrating and time-wasting exercise. Eventually I just couldn't thread this machine even though it worked like a charm - it was good, strong and reliable - when the threading was completed.

If I were to give my advice, I'd say try to get a Babylock overlocker (not the overlocker/coverstitch one) with the air threading facility. These machines are really good and worth the cost.
Why not the overlocker/coverstitch one?? For the same reason that people are now opting for separate sewing and embroidery machines - it's a darn nuisance swapping from one to the other for the different jobs you want done.

This is one time when I think the convenience and reliability justify the expense especially for anyone who is experiencing the onset of aging eyes and fingers.
AlmaG.

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by drro 26 May 2012

Thanks for your help. You and I are of the same generation I think! This was the very reason my SIL, who is 5 years younger than me, bought the Babylock! She did some prior research, as her machine would not do a nice finish hem her daughter's bridal veil...so a-shopping we went! A Viking rep told us about them when I asked if any one made ones that thread the needles for us gals with old eyes! I think your point is valid about seeing, age and threading!! I love the needle threading function on my sewing machines:>) Hugs and God Bless!!

I have a HuskyLock 936. It does a great job but I wish it would thread itself! It also does what they call a cover stitch which is great. However, since I don't use if often I keep forgetting how to change the mechanisms.

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by drro 26 May 2012

I did hot know you had to change mechanisms, until I read almag's post. I saw it demonstrated yesterday, but we did not get into that part...Also, there was on lone left in the store, as the model is being discontinues. It seemed fairly easy to thread, as the front opens completely! So.....One of the Babylocks does the cover-stich, but it is 500$ more for that feature alone! But thanks for your help! Hugs and God Bless!

by drro 26 May 2012

as the whole front opens. Thanks for your help...please excuse my typos:>) Hugs and God Bless!!

I have a babylock Extradonair. It has tons of features and air threading which I love so much...So easy to use too. Babylocks are the best in my book. I have three machine..The serger the ellissimo emb machine and the ten needle enterprise. Love them all...Suzanne

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by drro 26 May 2012

WOW! You have great sewing/embroidery equipment. Good machines make sewing such a great adventure. I have always enjoyed my machines too & I want to be as happy with a new serger as I was with my old one. Thanks for your help! Hugs and God Bless! ! :>)

I have new home ,she is going on 30 years of very hard usage,she see her Dr very 6 months for a check up. Runs like a dream she cost was 1200.00 that was 30 yrs ago. I hate to have to replace her with prices of machines today.

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by drro 26 May 2012

Thanks for your help! I know what you mean, and currently I do have to replace mine...I am so sad;?( Currently it is just a thread stand backed up to my old Viking 990 sewing machine, so I can use thread cones on it:>) The machine dr told me it was scrap metal now. Hugs and God Bless!!

by drro 26 May 2012

metal now. Thanks again!! Hugs and God Bless!

IF I had the money to buy one it would be the BABYLOCK Imagine. So nice,it threads itself.My dealer gave me a demo and I loved it.You get a lot of feet with it. IF I can learn it in less than 30 minutes ANYBODY can.

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by drro 26 May 2012

You are so cute! Thank you for your help!! I too saw the demo...my, my, my...it is truly unique...and the self-threading patent is relatively new I think, so unless some else invents an way to do it, they have the corner on the market for sometime!;>) Hugs and God Bless!

by drro 26 May 2012

Hugs and God Bless!!

My old one broke a while ago and I would like to replace it with one of the Baby Lock sergers because I then won't have to battle (due to backproblems) with (DH I would LOVE one.)lol *****hehehe

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by susiesembroidery 26 May 2012

sorry:: should be ....battle with threading the machine....

by drro 26 May 2012

There is a special on now...you get 5 or 6 extra feet & the price is reduced. If I want to get it, I have to go back this Tuesday...the last day of the special. I saw at another site price reviews, and s few folks there were saying the shops can set their own prices. I DO not know if this is true, but the sale price makes it a great time to do it:>) Hugs and God Bless!!

I have a Janome MyLock that is 25 years old...runs as well today as it did the day I bought it...but, if I ever need a new one...I would opt for a Baby Lock serger that has the air threading...a push of the botton and, presto, it threads itself! I almost wish mine would "die" so I would have an excuse to get one of those "Babies"!!! I have the Baby Lock Ellisimo for my embroidery...all I can say is "IT'S SWEET"!!!

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by drro 26 May 2012

Oh Dear...Don't wish your dear baby dead....LOL! You made me laugh! Mine is dead and I am so sad!! But...I know why you wrote that! It is a phenomenal machine. The Viking store sales person even said great things about it....oops! Thanks and God Bless!;>)

I have a very cheap janome Mylock204D but it work good and the roll hem stitch is easy to switch over it a 3or4 thread.

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by drro 26 May 2012

Thanks for your help. I saw this one at the shop where I purchased my sewing machine; there were so many to choose from! Hugs and God Bless.

I have a Janome 1110DX. It is about 3 or 4 years old. It is fairly easy to thread. It does not take up very much space. My husband bought it for me. I myself would have bought a cheaper model. WHen it was new it was in the area of $500. I do use it fairly often.

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by drro 26 May 2012

Thanks for your help. I have a friend who has one and loves hers too! Hugs and God Bless!

I have a Brother 4 thread with differental feed. I am really happy with it. I have had it for over 18 years with no major problems. The Janome brand I found were good when I worked in a sewing store 20 years ago. You can get ones now that threads the underlooper by a puff of air. Not sure of the brand though. Hope this helps. Shirley

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by jenne 26 May 2012

Babylock has a model that threads itself.

Well I have had my overlocker for longer than I can remember - over 20 years. I love it dearly and use it infrequently. It has three threads. I needed a 4 thread stitch for something ages ago (6months) so I borrowed my friends. Note to myself, I must return it. (Just shows how often she uses it...)

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by drro 26 May 2012

Thanks for your advice! I have not seen a 3-thread...& I was amazed to see ones with 8 threads!...but they don't all feed thread at the same time! Just different slots for different functions. Sergers are truly amazing machines, and they make sewing FAST! Thanks again! Hugs and God Bless!

by drro 26 May 2012

Fast! Thanks again, Hugs and God Bless!
I am surprised your friend is not looking for her equipment:>)

I have an Elna 624 and I love it. It took a while to learn the threading but now I can do it without any hassle :)

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by drro 26 May 2012

Thanks for your information and help. I have not seen the Elna, as I do no know who sells them near me, but I have heard good things about Elna machines in the past. Thanks again! Hugs and God Bless!!

I want one, too - I have been thinking about it for a bit - don't know what prices - I should be looking for either.

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by drro 26 May 2012

I will send you the website where the members discuss their prices...it was very interesting to see how prices differ. There is a sale on now if you want to get in on the savings. I put the link in a pm to you:>) Thanks again! Hugs and God Bless!

I can only speak from the industrial side of overlockers,I have a Wilcox and Gibbs 5 thread and a Union Special 3 thread. I love both machines because I am able to overlock/serge quite thick layers of fabric with both, the blades don't need changing that often and I know how to service both (a bonus for me I think. Most people are put off these machines because of their size...... They are not as scary as they look! Good luck in which ever direction you take; industrial or domestic. :-)

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by drro 26 May 2012

Thank you much for your advice. I had not considered a commercial grade serger. This is a new idea for me! Thanks and God Bless!

I have a Bernette and is has sewn/overlocked beautifully.
Please look for one that has a differential feed, it really gives any brand the 'edge'
Happy stitching Bev

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by drro 26 May 2012

Thanks Bev. This is good advice. I had that with my older model and loved it! Hugs and God Bless!

I love my Husky 1000, however it does not have the chain stitch, therefore it is only 4 thread. I would definetely go with the 5 thread if I could! Live Laugh Download Stitch!

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by drro 26 May 2012

Thank you so much! Hugs and God Bless You!! This is one of the features that has captured my attention. Thanks and God Bless!

I love my Huskylock 910. It's very easy to thread and I've never had a day's problem with it. Love Chris

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by drro 26 May 2012

Thank you so much! Hugs and God Bless You!!

I have a Elna pro 4 and it is about 23 yrs old, I also have a cheapie from Walmart and it works good, The threading of both is about the same Hugs Diamond

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by drro 25 May 2012

Thanks so much for helping me with my quest! I am in a quandary as to which will be the best for my investment. Hugs and God Bless You!!

I have a janome 134D, it's about 15 years old. The only thing I do not like about it is it is soooooo hard to thread. So I tie tiny knots on the thread and pull thru the needles when I need to change threads. Hugs..Carol

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by drro 25 May 2012

Thank you so much! I need a lot of help ..there are so many kinds! Hugs and God Bless You!!

by shirley124 26 May 2012

Tying knots and pulling threads through to change colors is the way to go.

by drro 26 May 2012

I always did that with my old serger. But, I was told it messes with the tension....I never noticed it way back when though!:) Thanks!

by shirley124 31 May 2012

Hold the threads out so they do not run throught the tension guides. This ie what I told ladies to do when I was taking overlocker classes way back. Shirley

I have a Babylock Imagine, I love the threading. I can change threads quickly. With my other serger, I didn't like changing thread colors.

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by wider57 25 May 2012

I too have the Babylock Imagine and can't imagine having to give it up - I LOVE it!! So easy to thread and handles thicker jobs easily.

by drro 25 May 2012

Thank you both for responding! I saw this one demonstrated today..it is so cool. My SIL just bought it and thinks it is the bee's knees!! Hugs and God Bless You!!

by crafter2243 26 May 2012

I have the same and love it. Threading is so easy.

I have 2 elna overlockers that I have had for 22yrs now... love them.
Easy to use and absolutely no problems.

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by drro 25 May 2012

Thanks so much for helping me! Hugs and God Bless You!!

Also, can you tell me what you do not like about it, thanks!

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by drro 25 May 2012

ttt