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From: rdsmusa
Date: 12-26-2003, 12:37 PM (1 of 17)
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Hi All, I am looking to all you in my quest for a serger. I am a beginning but adventurous sewer who also knits, crochets and paints. So I am the creative type and wants to leave myself open to as many opportunities as practicable. (ie. I do try to use all those silly stiches on my machine!) I synchronize swim, so I am hoping to start making my own swimsuits. I also am of the ilk that believes that I want to buy ONE serger now that I won't HAVE to replace in a few years. So, although I am happy to save money like everyone else, I don't mind spending a bit of cash if it will save me 1) hassle, 2) need to upgrade 3) repairs 4) not stilting my creativity. I recently bought a new Viking Rose sewing machine and like it very much. So far, so good. Although, I am not confident that I need it, unless there is something fabulous for cheap, I would like to have a coverstitch option. I have looked at some Bernina's, but the coverstitch version seemed more expensive than others, and the workings seem complicated. I like the Viking 936, and have found some reasonable prices ($1100, or $999 at a recent truckload sale), but I read somewhere that they are prone to needing repairs. I do however, like the free arm option on this! I I saw some good comments on the Babylock Evolve on EOpinons. I haven't had a chance to try it as yet, but it looks pretty cool! EIGHT (count em) threads! Gazonkas! It was stated that these machines are VERY easy to use, and pretty much trouble free. Any comments? Does anyone have any suggestions? I saw some nice comments on this site for Janomes? What models do you suggest? __________
Dale from the Bronx (always looking for synchronized swimmers!) |
User: rdsmusa
Member since: 12-26-2003 Total posts: 6 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 12-26-2003, 12:50 PM (2 of 17)
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I have a Janome Compulock..it's my first serger and I find it easy to use. I have no trouble threading it, or reading the screen. Everything is on a touch menu. It zips through fabric without any problems. It has 21 stitches, including the cover stitch. Before I bought it, I had never touched or seen a serger work..now I don't know what I'd do without it. I whizzed through all my Christmas sewing.. I'm one happy Janome owner... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: dmoses
Date: 12-26-2003, 01:39 PM (3 of 17)
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Have you looked at Elna? I have heard that Elna is the best brand for sergers.
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: mamahoogie
Date: 12-26-2003, 02:07 PM (4 of 17)
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We have a local Baby Lock dealer and I drool over their serger everytime I'm there - self-threading and sets own tensions, overlock stitch, and lots of bells and whistles. It's the self-threading thing that appeals to me the most. Nancy Zieman uses Baby Lock sewing machines and sergers now so if you get her program watch what she does with it. 
I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: rdsmusa
Date: 12-26-2003, 03:17 PM (5 of 17)
The dealer where I bought my sewing machine highly recommended the ELNA 744 which is the 234 + coverstitch model and would sell it to me for $899 which sounds like a great deal... Unfortunately he hasn't gotten a demonstration model in as yet for me to try :( I am patiently waiting on him!But yet, the babylock seems like a dream!!! I think it falls in the range of $1500 or so.. but if is what people say it is, it may be worth it??? Has anyone priced this one? What is the price range for the Janome? I will try to look up the features on line. Thanks again everyone for your responses.... As you all know, it is sooooo tough deciding what type of machine to buy! I wish that I had held out on buying my Rose for a couple of months so that I would have been able to take advantage of JoAnn Fabric's buy a Viking machine, get a serger 1/2 price sale last month! Oh well... __________
Dale from the Bronx (always looking for synchronized swimmers!) |
User: rdsmusa
Member since: 12-26-2003 Total posts: 6 |
From: bren
Date: 12-26-2003, 04:19 PM (6 of 17)
I own a Baby Lock Imagine ...I love my magine...It's so easy to use... almost thread's itself... and no tension ajustment's ... I would highly recommend it... I had a Kenmore serger once...I thought it was great to ... the Babylock is just easier to use ... how much do you want to spend ... I would go for the Baby Lock...it makes changing threads so much easier... Happy hunting.
Bren:
Don't let anyone ...Live Rent Free In Your Head |
User: bren
Member since: 11-30-2002 Total posts: 489 
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From: rdsmusa
Date: 12-27-2003, 03:08 PM (7 of 17)
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Thanks Bren, I went out today to try the Evolve. I was surprised to find that it was mechanical and wasn't computerized. I guess that is why it as a reputation for being problem-free. It seemed alot simpler to use than other models despite the 8-thread capacity. I still haven't tried the Elna, but the threading ease of the babylock is so enticing. The Evolve retails for $2500. One place I went offered it to me for $2100, and said that he wouldn't go lower in price, but he would throw in a case (I don't trust him, as, I found out later that the case is free from Babylock until the end of the month!) I went to another place and they offered it to me for $1995. I didn't try to bargain since it seemed like a fair price. I was hoping to spend less than $1500, but considering that the other machines I have been looking at range from $899 to $1100, I am beginning to think that it may be worth it to spend the extra money. Such a tough decision. FYI to anyone else who may be looking: I saw the Janome Compulock, but its price was around $2300, and the salesperson recommended the babylock over the Janome for the ease of use. __________
Dale from the Bronx (always looking for synchronized swimmers!) |
User: rdsmusa
Member since: 12-26-2003 Total posts: 6 |
From: Skye
Date: 12-27-2003, 10:23 PM (8 of 17)
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Always a buzz looking for a new machine and having a choice does sometimes make it more complicated. I have an older basic 4 thread elna which owes me nothing and always been easy to thread. Alos sews well on from fine to bulky fabric. My advise is to take material samples with you and get them to cut the threads and show you how to thread from stratch and how easy or not it is to convert to cover stitch. Then have a go yourself and sew with your material to get the feel of the machine and dont be rushed go away and ruminate some that way you can 'think' away from the sales pitch. I have been looking at the Elna with cover stitch I thought that the bernina was time consuming when changing to cover stitch.there is a coverstitch in my future but we need new lounge furniture and carpet for the house so..o it has to go on hold for a while anyway I suppose I could win the lottery (if I took a ticket that is  )Have fun Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: rdsmusa
Date: 12-30-2003, 03:09 PM (9 of 17)
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I have made a decision (that I am still reeling from). I have decided to go with the Babylock Evolve. Since I am planning on sewing bathing suits, I decided that I really am going to want the coverstitch option, and the Babylock automatic tension adjustments. (And I really love the threading system, the other machines scare me!) The only thing that I resent is the pressure that I feel from the manufacturer to purchase something before Thursday. I keep hearing that due to good sales Babylock is going to raise the price on the serger on Thursday, so I am giving into the sales pressure, arghhh! But thank you all for your input, you have made this difficult decision a bit easier, as you know. The good news is that I should have my machine by Saturday. Anyone else who is in the market in the NYC area. I am buying my serger from Paramas Sewing in NJ. __________
Dale from the Bronx (always looking for synchronized swimmers!) |
User: rdsmusa
Member since: 12-26-2003 Total posts: 6 |
From: bren
Date: 12-30-2003, 06:29 PM (10 of 17)
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...You picked a good one ...your going to love it rdsmusa ... It's just so easy to use...I got a vcr tape with mine and I watched it a few times ... that really helped me out ... I keep my thread instructions near my machine... it's so easy to change over to fancy edges... I'm happy for you.
Bren:
Don't let anyone ...Live Rent Free In Your Head |
User: bren
Member since: 11-30-2002 Total posts: 489
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From: mamahoogie
Date: 12-30-2003, 10:15 PM (11 of 17)
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Our Baby Lock dealer told me they have extended the free gifts from Baby Lock til the 31st. so that may be why your dealer is pressuring you to buy it. If he hasn't mentioned it, ask him about the free gifts. Some dealers may not be quite as honest as the one here is. The Evolve is still on my wish list but one day....
I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: MartySews
Date: 01-02-2004, 06:26 PM (12 of 17)
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Have you checked out the Pfaff 4874 10 thread serger? It was what Santa brought me for Christmas. It was very reasonably priced I thought. Not only does it have 5 extra decorative threads, it has auto tension with a manual overide and is easy to use. It came with some extra feet for couching, braiding and other such things. It also has the coverstitch and three needle options. Not sure if any of the other machines on the market offer all of these creative possibilities. I'm not that experienced with a serger by any means but the possibilities of being able to create my own stitch combinations and have a memory function to store what I try is wonderful. It's wonderful. I love Pfaff products but I'm not affiliated with the company or any dealer. Just a very thrilled and satisfied customer. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: rdsmusa
Date: 01-05-2004, 10:11 AM (13 of 17)
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Hi Marty, What is the threading like on the Pfaff? Does it take much time? Also what is the price range for this machine? Thanks, __________
Dale from the Bronx (always looking for synchronized swimmers!) |
User: rdsmusa
Member since: 12-26-2003 Total posts: 6 |
From: MartySews
Date: 01-06-2004, 10:19 PM (14 of 17)
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For me, the threading is easy. I don't tie on, I just rethread and change my colors to match my garments. I just have to go slow and be sure that the tension disks catch. It is much easier to use than I first imagined. 5 threads are for basic serging and then there are 5 more for decorative stitches. It does the coverhem, rolled hem, and has over 20 pre-programmed stitch patterns. I love it and am still in a learning curve. Hope this helps. Marty It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504
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From: Llantrisant
Date: 01-09-2004, 04:19 PM (15 of 17)
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I have Kenmore differential feed.Its about 10yrs old now and would love a newer model. Its not so bad to use but not computerized !! 
If at first you don't suceed, try-try again!
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User: Llantrisant
Member since: 06-02-2002 Total posts: 144 
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From: sewingtiger40
Date: 01-11-2004, 07:31 PM (16 of 17)
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Hi all, I also own the Babylock evolve and recommend it completely! I started out with a Janome 649 (Ithink that was it) and thought it was a pretty easy machine to master until I purchased my evolve. The threading on the evolve is super easy and I love that there are NO plates or anything to change when changing to a rolled hem or even the coverstich! Big bonus, quick changeovers!! It sews like a dream! I only wish it had a free arm and then it would be perfect. |
User: sewingtiger40
Member since: 03-10-2003 Total posts: 32 
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From: rdsmusa
Date: 01-12-2004, 09:48 AM (17 of 17)
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Hey All, After a bit of waiting I finally picked up my Evolve on Saturday. I think I will be happy with it soon ... but for now I have been having some issues with threads breaking from the chain stitch needles and the chain stitch bobbin type thread not catching. I am trying to replicate each of the stitches on the the stitch card as a guide. I have been using embroidery thread so that the stitches will match the color coding on the card, so I am hoping that my problem is the thread, and that once I load the machine with serger thread I won't have problems. Although, this machine is supposed to work okay with embroidery threads. I think that I put my needle tension down low, but for now I am stuggling a little. I just want to get a good sample for my cards so that I can identify each thread in the stitch! If you all have any tips, please let me know. Otherwise, as soon as I am done with the card, I will let you know how it goes with some pretty flannel that I just bought to make some pajamas. __________
Dale from the Bronx (always looking for synchronized swimmers!) |
User: rdsmusa
Member since: 12-26-2003 Total posts: 6 |
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