I don't have a serger. Do I need one? What do they do that my overcast stitch can't do? How does a serger work? I don't even know one personally. Maybe I should have one - LOL Thanks for your input - Jan

i have just got a new one as my old one died after 20 years i couldent live without mine i have the janome 644d

Well i had 4 sold one a singer gave one away a singer have singers best now with all the attachments plus a brother i got for a few bucks cause it took a bath .
I love the speed they do hugs

I notice lots of comments on difficulty of threading your serger. Here is a tip when changing thread colours. Gently ease the needle thread out of the needle/s and the other threads, making sure your other threads are still intact.Then snip each thread below the cone, change cone colour and knot new colour onto old colour. Carefully loosen thread from tension knobs, so the knots can pass through, and pull from the old thread ends until knots pass out through the sewing plate. Thread your needle/s and tuck other threads back into the tension reels, now sew until they all chain together again. I hope this makes sense!

I have had a serger for 25 years. It has now given up the ghost!!!! I can't wait to get another one, because I don't know how I can do without one. Buy the best you can afford with a differential feed ( for knit and stretch material). They are a blessing!!!***

They were first introduced for the home market during the double knit fashion era. That's the 1970s for you young folks.
My sister sews but doesn't like to. She just does things like bedskirts curtains and pillows. I introduced her to a serger. Now she enjoys sewing these things.
I kept away from them until 2005. Bought the best on the market at that time and wouldn't live without it now. But I do consider it a luxury.

Oh, I have two sergers. A Bernina and a Babylock Evolve. Frankly, I could live without them. I prefer the stitch on the Bernina, but it is old and a pain to thread and to keep the tensions right. The Babylock is a self threading one and some of the "complaints" I have with mine have been fixed with the newer model which costs a small fortune. The biggest problem I have with the Babylock is that it is difficult to get a 1/4 seam and the thread tends to fall off the fabric especially around the curves. The pros will tell you this isn't true, but you can't adjust the tension on this machine to fix it either. So be sure to test test test sew before buying.

I love my serger. If you have the money I say go for it.

You tube link:>)

Here is the link:>)

I have had one ever since they were available for home use...30 years...made all the curtains, decorating thigns,my clothes, the kids stretch knit wear on it 30 yrs ago..it died..got a small Janome for the time being...it is a great little machine! Then I heard about the Babylock, now I am.....in love again with serging! You can sew things in less than 1/2 the time, i.e., seams, hems necklines. It is a wonderful compliment to your sewing/ embroidery machine!. Babylock has a special on right now...no interest financing for three years I think. Good luck Jan. I can't imagine life without one. Look at youtube for videos about the Babylock. It was the sales tipping point for me. Even a Viking salesperson said if she could, she would get one! My research here about one month ago was that more than 50% of our sisters here either have the babylock or want the Babylock. Hugs, ro

1 comment

by drro 30 Jun 2012

I' look for the link and add it here;)

You can also quilt. It leaves an exact 1/4" seam. I use a serger more than a sewing machine. Hubby has an inkling he wants to learn how to use one.

I have two. I use the bernette more than the other one because it is easier to thread. Couldn't do without it. Great for making tees or hems or anything else. Good for shears. Use one every time I sew. Do you need it? Depends on how much you sew.

I have one but I hardly use it. Really the only times I pull it out is when I am mad. I will send materail through it just to cut. That is how I get my madness out. Our neighbor caused a lot of problems for us and a lot of money out of pocket. She is mad at everyone around. She makes calls to the county and complains. I wish I had just bought an extra embroidery machine. Peg

I bought a brother at wal marts 15 years ago, love it, not hard to thread, never had a problem with it, couldn,t do a lot of things as nice with out it. BUY THE BEST YOU CAN AFFORD

They can make material! Well -- sort of, they can make a decorative edge (much like lace or crochet edge) that looks amazing and they can make stitches without material creating many possibilities. There is nothing like using a serger on knit and ruffles on any fabric are so much easier.
I would buy new (I had an expensive horrid used experience) or at least from a local repair shop. My used one no longer had replacement parts avalailable.
If you have the money, air threading from Babylock is great especially for beginners. I got the Bernina 1300 DMC so I could use very thick threads in the loopers.
Find videos on youtube. Go to more than one shop and have them show you in person. There is a learning curve so make sure you get support with your purchase. I get free classes and other perks.

I am going to the sewing center today to check one out.

Jan, I have a serger, and have never used it, but I think I should, after reading all these comments! I bought mine a few years back, because my sister, who sews like a professional seamstress, said she couldn't sew without her serger!
Hugs,
Ang

I have used one in classes at the local shop and I have it on my wish list for Christmas.

I have had my serger for probably 20 plus years. When I first got it I hardly used it. But in the last 15 years I would not give it up. I guess I am one that does not have a problem threading it although others I know do, (guess that is why they call me when they have a problem).
Hugs Joann

1 comment

by bonnetgirl 30 Jun 2012

My friend saw me using mine and went out bought one.I am always down there helping her lol she can't even put new needle in it let alone thread it. Since she bought it she serges everything..she likes using satin and we all know how that frays.

Yes I would assist and encourage you to buy and use a serger - it's so comfortable. Especially if you like to
sew "flexible" fabric like jerseys. You sew, cut and finish
in one go and it looks expert! I have an old one but still like it, the newer ones are more easier to thread and have additional features. So it's up to you to buy a used one in
EBAY or spend a bit more money for multipurpose uses. Have fun and buy one - Maria

Hi Jan,
Before using almost any fabric, I serge everything and wash it. No fraying in the washing machine, nice finished, professional looking grarments once completed.
I have had a serger for 22 years and could not be without one. Replaced my Janome last year with the babylock, so much easier to thread. My advice, BUY ONE
hugs
Michelle

When you have make receiving blankets for newborns, it takes no time and looks professional. As for threading them, it is tricky but doable. Unless you get the babylock, it is a breeze! I have a Husqvarana Viking that I bought in 2000.

Would not do without it, just got a cheap one from E-Bay but great for finishing off seams etc.

I love mine. It is about 5 years old now. Do not know how I sewed for so many years without it. Hugs, Mary

The thing to do is Read The Manual when it comes to threading! I have three overlockers and the order of threading is different with one of them, but it is important to thread the upper and lower loopers in the right order and then the needles. Get this right and you won't look back. The differential feed means the top fabric doesn't travel,another great thing. Jan

Good question - I was wondering the same thing!

I started out with an old one I got at a pawn shop real cheap. It worked good. Then I had a gift of a tiny bit of money so bought myself a brand new one about 10 yrs. ago. I wished I'd had it when my kids were small - would have made making their clothes much easier and quicker!
I didn't know what i was missing until after I had one!

If your overlock stitch is anything like mine it is slow to do and a bit of a pain. The overlocker runs much faster and does a neater job and will also trim the edges of what you're overlocking. You won't know what you've missed until you have one :)

It's a personal choice whether you need one.

Having said that, I own 2 and couldn't live without them.
Sergers/overlockers trim & sew seams & edges in one action with fabulous professional results.

You can also use to flatlock fabric pieces together.,
and rolled hemming needs to be seen to be believed.

Yes they are tricky to get the hang of threading them (well the old ones anyway) don't know if threading has improved with later models., but truly worth learning.

I'ves had my overlockers now for 23years - love them.

2 comments

by kitty2011 30 Jun 2012

I forgot to add...

Soooo very much FASTER than an overlock stitch on a sewing machine.

by grossfamilie 30 Jun 2012

Very true

Dear Jan - Sewing is my biggest love and I do not know what I would do without my overlocker (serger). I bought it many years ago when I was making my eldest daughter's wedding dress. It made what was a difficult job into a joy to do. It makes a wonderful job of overlocking seams that look professional. If you can afford it I say - go for it. Hugs Sarah.

When you come to town, You can work on mine and then decide for yourself! I am soooo glad to have it! another excellent buy off craigslist. When I walked in to show my repair man - He said - Oh! you got a good one! I felt so good and I love it!

I have a serger, but I have no idea how to use it. However, this last week I was with my cousin who has one. We were working on satin making bridesmaid dresses. The pieces I worked on I zig-zaged the edges, but they still raveled. The pieces from the skirt my cousin serged looked great. There was no raveling at all. She was able to do this within a matter of minutes. I am going to learn how to use my serger as soon as I get all the bridesmaid dresses made. Goodluck.