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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: bridesmom
Date: 12-11-2004, 10:38 PM (1 of 6)
I want to purchase another serger but am having trouble finding out what exactly is available to Canada. I have no problem purchasing one from the US but am concerned about service if one I choose is not available to Canada and I have to ship it off for service. I can't imagine being without it for more than a day or two :bg: !!! Are there any Canadians out there who have sergers, what do you recommend? I'm very close to Vancouver so I have a large choice. Thanks!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004
Total posts: 2026
From: sewcr8v
Date: 12-12-2004, 11:55 AM (2 of 6)
Hi, I'm not far from you on Vancouver Island. You do not need to buy a serger from the States, there are many many dealers on the mainland who will sell and support a serger you buy. Look up in the yellow pages under sewing to find a dealer near you. Call Sundrop Textiles and ask them (in Coquitlam) www.sundroptextiles.com or Great Notion in Abbotsford to name a couple. There are lots of good used sergers in the dealer's stores as well as new.

I have a Juki MO634DE that if there were a fire and my family was all safe I would run back in and retrieve it! It is 14 yrs old, runs like new, never had a stick of trouble with it and have worked it HARD. I also have a Bernette, bought used, also a good machine, made by Juki. And a Husky 936 coverstitch which I would not recommend. I teach sewing/serging classes so if you have any questions, fire away.

Make sure you get at least 4 threads and have differential feed. Let us know what you find.
Sewcr8v
Keep the world sewing...
User: sewcr8v
Member since: 09-05-2004
Total posts: 30
From: mamadus
Date: 12-31-2004, 08:05 PM (3 of 6)
Sewcr8v, I find it interesting that you don't recommend the 936... could you tell me why?? I ask because my dad got me one for Christmas and my debate is whether to keep it or take it back and get an Evolve instead.... Thanks for your input..

MO
life is too short, not to explore
User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004
Total posts: 492
From: ninifav
Date: 12-31-2004, 10:32 PM (4 of 6)
Mo, I have tried to reply to you on threadstop; but can't get the submit button to work....I did my research and was down to the 936 or the Evolve even though the Evolve was more $$$...Wanted the 936 because the dealer handles my D1 and I like their service, etc...then I test-drove both...NO COMPARISON...The Evolve is so incredibly easy to use; the jet-threading is a dream; and if a thread breaks, you do not have to start over and re-thread everything...I have not regretted my decision...Oh, and you had asked about needles, etc...I haven't had to replace one yet (about 7 months) and I don't think that it is any more costly than our embroidery needles...and it is easy to switch to chain stitch...

HTH...and hope that Threadstop can fix it's technical problems...By the way, if your dear Pappa needs another daughter to buy sewing things for, I'll be glad to send him my resume...lol...husband cooks, I'm usually pleasant, the kids are grown and we have extra rooms....lol...hehe
User: ninifav
Member since: 09-06-2004
Total posts: 204
From: mamadus
Date: 12-31-2004, 11:01 PM (5 of 6)
hehehe.. I'll pass the message along to my dad :wink: thanks for the input about the 936 vs the Evolve... Basically you're confirming a decision that I had pretty much already made... Now I just have to get my local dealer to smarten up.... There's a dealer in Atlanta and a dealer in Pa, who are both charging 1650-1699 for the Evolve... but my dealer wants 1850 and will not budge... personally I think they're being foolish... they're not giving me anything to hang my hat on to justify spending the extra money... no free workbook, no nothing.... my next step is to call around for any dealers within a 100 mile radius and see if I can get it for the price I want... Its getting to the point where my dealer is just ticking me off since they're being so pig-headed... It's like they think they have to hold their ground so they win.... but they may end up losing in the long run.... You have to give the customer something to at least let them feel like they're ahead of the game...anyway... I'm rambling...

MO
life is too short, not to explore
User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004
Total posts: 492
From: sewcr8v
Date: 01-01-2005, 11:45 PM (6 of 6)
Mamadus: You asked why I would not recommend it.... It does not like taut serging, meaning with one hand holding the fabric behind the foot and the other in front, you hold your woven and even knit fabric taut and serge away. The thread invariably breaks doing this (using the 5 thread overlock stitch as well as the cover stitch). What I needed it for was figure skating dresses. It took a great learning curve to get it to work, stretch 90 needles ALWAYS in the front, that helped, use good quality thread marginally helped. But the big thing for me was there was an actual error in the threading of one of the stitches in the manual which caused me huge grief. Although I bugged Husqvarna dealer about it, they were not compelled to make it known to the public. So if anyone has trouble out there, don't go by the manual, go by the colour coded threading sequence right on the machine - I believe it was the coverstitch itself where there was an error - I'd have to check back. Here's a little tip for everyone - when you don't have needle(s) in your serger, and you're worried about losing the little screw that holds it there, don't reef on the screw, tightening it as tight as can be as you can make an indent up in the needle chamber when there is no needles in place and it becomes like a burr and you stop being able to get your needles all the way to the top (very important) - the holes where the needles should go have to be bored out again in order to fix that. This machine is bad for that. So in summary, error in the manual which caused me huge frustration; lack of support to get the thing to work well (and I'm a serging teacher) - it went back to husq several times and came back the same. I haven't worked on the evolve but have heard good things about it. For just the coverstitch ability I would suggest the Funlock 009 which is a great workhorse and made by Bernina and only a few hundred dollars. I haven't checked the new Janome coverstitch machine as yet. But that evolve sounds great -- go for that!
Sewcr8v
Keep the world sewing...
User: sewcr8v
Member since: 09-05-2004
Total posts: 30
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