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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: Sharie
Date: 03-14-2004, 08:20 PM (1 of 22)
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Hi All! I am new to sewing and Iam in the market for a machine. My daughters took sewing in Home Ec, and used a serger. They REALLY want me to purchase a serger in leiu of a regular sewing machine. Is it better to but an inexpensive regualr machine to learn on and then purchase a serger, or just buy a serger? ALso what machines are good to buy? THANKS!!! Sharie 
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User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39 
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From: Aimee S
Date: 03-15-2004, 11:29 AM (2 of 22)
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They are two differnt animales You cant do a zipper or button hole on a serger but you can finish a seam with a sewing machine A serger is an extra. I know I could not live with out mine but I did for many years. It speeds up the process. a seing machien can do soo much befor you go look at the machines you need to decide what you are going to be sewing. Apparel, crafts, home decor also you need to decide on a budget and stitch to it also you need to consider do you what decrative stitches and do you want embroidry ..... There are many things to consider. The more you disaprove, the more fun I am having!
http://photos.yahoo.com/aimeehs29 |
User: Aimee S
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 488 
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From: Sharie
Date: 03-15-2004, 03:45 PM (3 of 22)
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Thanks Aimee!!! At this point in time we are sewing clothes and household items. It would be nice to use the embroidery options once we have a little more experience. The sewing machine WILL be getting ALOT of use. Even thhough we are new to sewing. We ( My two daughters and I) LOVE IT!!! It is so much FUN!! I LOVE making clothes for my youngest daughter! My older 2 daughters Love making clothes for themselves. |
User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39
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From: foxy
Date: 03-28-2004, 11:50 AM (4 of 22)
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Originally posted by Sharie Hi All! I am new to sewing and Iam in the market for a machine. My daughters took sewing in Home Ec, and used a serger. They REALLY want me to purchase a serger in leiu of a regular sewing machine. Is it better to but an inexpensive regualr machine to learn on and then purchase a serger, or just buy a serger? ALso what machines are good to buy? THANKS!!! Sharie Hello: I could not live without my serger but you still need a sewing machine. I do everything on my serger but topstitching you need a sewing machine unless you purchase a 5 thread serger--they topstitch. I put zippers in with my serger. But sergers do not do buttonholes. I recommend a white serger--love mine. Can anything in my house but not my serger!!!!
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User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
From: Sharie
Date: 03-28-2004, 02:04 PM (5 of 22)
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Thanks Foxy .... If that is the case I may go with a serger. I am not doing alot of button holes anyway. Or maybe invest in an inexpensive sewing machine and a "good" serger. 
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User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39
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From: MartySews
Date: 03-28-2004, 10:07 PM (6 of 22)
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Sharie, Check the thrift stores for a sewing machine and invest in a good serger. While you might not think buttonholes right now, there will come that day. Many thrift stores have good sewing machines that need just a check-up. I found a great Kenmore machine at my VA thrift store for $12. Spent $5 for attachments and additional presser feet plus $39 for servicing. Now, I have a great back-up machine that can do almost anything my computerized machine can do except embroidery. 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: Sharie
Date: 03-29-2004, 09:42 AM (7 of 22)
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WoW! Thanks Marty! |
User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39
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From: SewBug1
Date: 05-30-2004, 11:13 AM (8 of 22)
| Think of a serger at the microwave of your home. You can do a lot with it, it speeds things up, etc. But you cant do everything with it. The oven/stove is still where you do most of your work. |
User: SewBug1
Member since: 05-29-2004 Total posts: 26 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 05-30-2004, 09:34 PM (9 of 22)
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I personally would want to become comfortable and proficient with the fundamentals of sewing and constructing clothing before I ever attempted mastering the use of a serger. I have a 5 thread serger and have become very proficient with it, however, I had been sewing for at least 25 years and proficient and comfortble with most phases and techniques of garment construction before I had enough courage to dive into learning garment construction on a serger. A good basic sewing machine is one of the best investments you can make if you have a desire to sew for years to come. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-31-2004, 01:54 AM (10 of 22)
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I agree. I think of a serger as a very nice "extra".
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Sharie
Date: 06-01-2004, 01:09 AM (11 of 22)
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Thanks guys!!!
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User: Sharie
Member since: 03-01-2004 Total posts: 39
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From: MartySews
Date: 06-01-2004, 08:36 PM (12 of 22)
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Sharie, don't forget to come back and let us know what you did. Inquiring minds want to know ... ??? 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: weB2cats
Date: 07-03-2004, 03:30 PM (13 of 22)
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If it's an either/or question whether to purchase a sewing machine or serger, go for the machine first. Not the most expensive but not the cheapest either. A source for machines is at the high school level. When I was in school they sold some machines at the end of the year. That might not happen any more with the budget cuts. I love my Serger. It' a New Home 104D with Differential Feed. Sounds snazzy, eh? It's easy to use and the only problem I've had with it is figuring out the threading part. Fortunately, the threading system is color-coded for easier threading. A definite must. I use my serger for the preliminary steps of side and shoulder seams or the inset of the sleeve, and finishing of the turned up hem edge. You will love the serger. It professionally finishes seams that would usually take longer to finish. |
User: weB2cats
Member since: 11-07-2002 Total posts: 232 |
From: boingo82
Date: 09-12-2004, 04:19 PM (14 of 22)
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A coworker of mine is thinking of learning to sew and asked why anyone would get a plain 'ol sewing machine when they could get a serger instead. The best analogy I could come up with, is... A serger is kind of like a paper cutter. It does a lot of sheets at a time, with a nice edge, and does it FAST! It is good at straightaways but not so good with curves. FORGET making abrupt turns on a serger or a papercutter. A sewing machine is more like a good pair of scissors. Slower, but you have more control over it. You can do funny angles and things the serger or big papercutter can't. But your edge won't be as neat. Just because you have a serger, doesn't mean you can forego the sewing machine. And just because you have a papercutter, doesn't mean you won't need a good pair of scissors around. |
User: boingo82
Member since: 09-12-2004 Total posts: 2 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 09-16-2004, 05:27 AM (15 of 22)
| Well, for one thing you cannot make a buttonhole with a serger. It does save time to work beside your sewing machine cutting and overcasting your seams. It sure doesn't help much in the mending department. It is great for embellishing crafts, braiding, binding, rolled hems, blind and cover hems. Serious sewers find they cannot live without them. But one must become a sewer first IMO ..and first have the sewing machine then the serger. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-17-2004, 04:41 PM (16 of 22)
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Not all sergers can do hems.. Mine does not have a coverstitch.. Its 15 years old.. only does 4 thread, 3 thread, flat lock, and rolled hem... But it is a good old workhorse, and I love it.. It has I don't know how many thousands of miles on it and still going strong.. But I have to have my regular sewing machine also...
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: sewcr8v
Date: 09-20-2004, 01:43 AM (17 of 22)
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My serger is no 'extra' in my sewing room - I should really call it a 'serging room' because I'll serge as much as I possibly can and I have 4 of them. One is a Husqvarna 936 coverstitch; my faithful Juki 634DE which I could NEVER sew without - it's 14 yrs old; and a good old Bernina I couldn't bare to pass up because it is just a great machine and was used at $200. Okay, well I do teach sewing/serging so that was the excuse I used to buy it. I like things to look finished and that great look of ready to wear. Look closely at ready to wear you'll find a lot of serging going on in the garment industry - no 5/8" seams there - that was created for home sewers many moons ago. Garment construction use about 1/4 - 3/8" seams. If you intend to sew anything stretchy, tshirts, jogging pants etc you won't want to be without a serger. But home dec, crafts you name it. I sew a lot of figure skating dresses and it is ALL done with a serger. So my opinion? Buy a good solid used sewing machine - not one of those cheap new $200 models in a dept store, steer clear of those but somethign that someone has traded in maybe. AND get yourself a serger, make sure it has differential feed for serging those beautiful fleece fabrics (stops the wavy seams) and at least 4 threads (not 3). Have fun, let us know what you get! Oh, I have a Janome 7500 (New Home in the States) and it is an excellent model sewing machine also 14 yrs old. Sewcr8v
Keep the world sewing... |
User: sewcr8v
Member since: 09-05-2004 Total posts: 30 
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From: Kylnne2
Date: 09-22-2004, 06:05 AM (18 of 22)
| Libby, you mentioned you couldn't do a hem with your serger? Understood, maybe not a coverhem but have you tried doing a blind hem with it? I know most prefer to do a blindhem on their sewing machines but the serger does a good blind hem and very quickly too. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-24-2004, 12:28 PM (19 of 22)
As the robot said, "that does not compute".. How in the world could I do a blind hem with my serger?? I have a Janome Memory Craft 4000 which does a beautiful blind hem with no problem at all, so I don't need to do one on the serger... I usually make my t-shirts and slacks (elastic waisted) on the serger and do the hems with my Janome .. This works fine, and of course the time saved on the serger gives me more time for other things.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: foxy
Date: 09-28-2004, 08:02 PM (20 of 22)
| Hi---I LOVE to Serge. Do everything on my serger even zippers. U can have anything at my house but not my serger. My Mom was visiting me & I had my washing hung on hangers & some were going one way & some were going the other way. Mom said, "Don't you know u should have the hangers all going the same direction on the rod--incase there is a fire, u can garb your cloths". I said, "Mom, if there is a fire, I am grabbing my serger & running". I hardly use my sewing machine but u still do need one sometimes |
User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
From: MaryW
Date: 09-29-2004, 08:23 AM (21 of 22)
Hey foxy, where have you been hiding. Haven't seen you in ages. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Kylnne2
Date: 09-30-2004, 02:50 AM (22 of 22)
| Libby, yes I understand you can blind hem on your sewing machine but by doing it on a serger..as you stated..it is faster. With a blind hem foot on your serger you can also do other things too. Did your serger come with a video that shows this? |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
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