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From: jakerpelman
Date: 01-12-2005, 10:54 AM (1 of 13)
| JoAnn has a White 1600 serger on sale for $200, and it comes with a free $60 Ott light (by rebate). Sounds like a pretty good deal. Does anyone have any experience with this machine? I'm a serger newbie and pretty much know nothing about them other than that they can be very expensive and very complicated. Any help would be appreciated. There's a description of the machine here http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml?CATID=25008&PRODID=52661 and here http://www.whitesewingmachines.com/products/abp03977-0069.html if that's useful. My typical sewing is children's garments (mostly wovens and fleece), sometimes a coat or jacket for me. Thanks! Jason |
User: jakerpelman
Member since: 01-12-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-12-2005, 01:15 PM (2 of 13)
|
Hi Jason and welcome to Sew Whats New. Did you read the reviews on that machine? It seems like quite a deal, in fact, I would say it's almost too good to be true. As one of those reviewers said - You get what you pay for. I cannot tell you anything about them. I have had the same serger (no frills) for the last 16-17 yrs., with the same blade thank you very much. It is a Kenmore. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: jakerpelman
Date: 01-12-2005, 01:54 PM (3 of 13)
| Hi Mary, I did read the reviews (I discovered them after my post), which gave me pause. It sounds like the machine can actually be damaged by operating it with it threaded incorrectly (damage to the tensioners?) - is that common with sergers? Also, I'm not sure I want to have to use cone spools. Any thoughts on that? I checked out the Kenmore serger, http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=APPL&pid=02016622000 which looks like a very sturdy and simple machine, for just a little more money (but no Ott light of course, and I wouldn't be able to use the JoAnn gift card I got for Xmas to pay for part of it). How easy is the Kenmore to thread? I think I'll go try out both before I make a decision, but I still welcome comments - I've hardly made up my mind that a more expensive serger is out of the question. I'm going to resist running out and buying just because a good deal comes along. |
User: jakerpelman
Member since: 01-12-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-12-2005, 02:12 PM (4 of 13)
|
Jason, you will probably have to use cones of thread. Sergers use a lot of thread and spools would be too expensive after a while. Shop around and take some fabric with you that you work with a lot. Try serging them and see the results. Your dealer is very important. If you run into trouble with a machine from Joann's, where do you go for help? I have never used an Ott Lite, my sister got one for christmas. She said they are ok as long as they are directly over your work, otherwise they are very ineffective. Her words, not mine. Anyone else have any advice? MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-13-2005, 03:38 AM (5 of 13)
| Sears has another serger with lay in threading that is also a very good basic serger by Janome. This model was recently praised in a sewing magazine as having tested out to be one of the best. Janome and New Home sergers are also sold by dealers on line for very reasonable prices. These sergers need few repairs, are workhorses and their owners give them high ratings. Many owners keep their Janomes rather than trade them in when buying a bigger serger with more stitch programs and coverlock etc. because of their reliablility. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 01-13-2005, 06:08 AM (6 of 13)
|
I bought a white serger from Jo ann's a bout 2 years ago. I love it . It was $199 on sale. It is a different model #. I can use either cone or spools of thread. I haven't had any problems once I figured out what all the different setting mean If I break a lower looper thread sometimes I have to unthread the whole thing & start over but it doesn't take that long once you learn how. The first few times I kept missing 1 loop when threading & it took me a while to figure it out but now I know what to check & it is an easy fix. I would say go for it unless you are doing really heavy duty sewing. I sew for my family & freinds I almost everything gets at least a few serged seams. Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
|
From: jakerpelman
Date: 01-13-2005, 09:02 AM (7 of 13)
| I'm getting some terrific help here, thanks. Well, I won't let the Ott light figure too strongly in my choice. I looked on the Sears web site and didn't find a Janome serger, though I did find one reasonably priced at JC Penny http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?DeptID=0&CatID=010175&Grptyp=PRD&ItemId=0ad0000 Kylnne2, do you know what model was reviewed? Or recall which magazine? There are so many models, many at lower prices than I would have expected, I feel like I'm taking a shot in the dark if I don't have some solid references/reviews to go by. Is there an on-line source you've had good success with, or which consistently has good prices? Your help is appreciated. My sewing machine is a Janome, and I haven't had a lick of trouble with it, so I may go the route of brand loyalty. I'll be gathering some cloth samples tonight and making a foray to JoAnn to try out whatever they have on hand in my price range. I'll post my findings. |
User: jakerpelman
Member since: 01-12-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: toadusew
Date: 01-13-2005, 09:05 AM (8 of 13)
I would agree that Janome is a good brand. I have a Janome sewing machine. My serger is a Husqvarna/Viking and I love it! I bought it at a dealer which is located inside Joann's. Check to see if this is also the case in your area, and if so, you would have dealer support if you decided to buy the serger advertised by Joann's. 
|
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: Military_Mom
Date: 01-13-2005, 02:14 PM (9 of 13)
|
I just bought this serger at JoAnn's on Sunday. The video that came with it was EXTEMEMELY helpful. As far as threading goes, I did break the thread on the loopers and had to rethread the machine, which really wasn't as big a deal as I thought it would be. I'm still playing around with it and I think I'm going to like it once I get the hang of it. I'm a beginner at sewing and serging, and I'm finding that it's really not as intimidating as I thought! The one thing that really disappointed me about buying at JoAnn's,though was that it was strictly 'cash and carry' and they weren't willing to open the box or show me anything about it....they were 'pushing' the Vikings and Husky models and were more than willing to give lessons and info on THOSE but they were out of my price range for a starter. Overall, though, I'm pretty happy with this machine. I serged a tote bag last night and I love the finish it puts on the seams. One more 'tip' I just learned...starting out, use different colored threads on the cones...then if you need to adjust the tensions, you'll know which one needs the adjustment by the color of the thread. The only one that shows up anyway at the seam is the left needle. |
User: Military_Mom
Member since: 01-10-2005 Total posts: 109 
|
From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-14-2005, 03:39 AM (10 of 13)
| Jake, the magazine that rated around 10 sergers "The Best of The Best" was the Vogue Patterns April/May issue. The Sears Kenmore 1665 was one and also the Harmony model that you posted in the JCP site was mentioned. They showed models from almost all the well known companies as to what the favorites were and the different price ranges. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: missvickie125
Date: 01-22-2005, 06:18 PM (11 of 13)
|
Hi, I have the White Speedylock 1600. I've had mine for a few years. I'm getting ready to upgrade. Overall it's a great starter machine. If your mainly doing finishing work and rolled hems, it's great. I did find that if you get too much bulk under the presser foot it will jump out of time. I've had mine in the shop twice to fix the timing. An expensive lesson for me because I didn't realize until the second time what caused it. So, I go easy with it. I've logged a lot of hours on it, though. I've been running a business part time and it's been a neccessity. Like I said, it's a great starter machine. It came with a video which was really helpful. I was very intimidated by it at first and I swear it took me 20 minutes to thread the darn thing until I got used to it. Now I can thread it in my sleep. Another thing, I am going to upgrade to a coverlock. If you're interested, I'm thinking of selling mine. If not, the new Serger and Ott light combo sound like a sweet deal. Good Luck! Vickie 
|
User: missvickie125
Member since: 01-22-2005 Total posts: 7 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-24-2005, 02:03 AM (12 of 13)
| Sorry but I think in my early posts I forgot to mention that the Sears Kenmore serger is a Janome serger..just as the Kenmore machines are Janome. Sears Kenmores are Janome..plus they also sell Janome with the the Janome name and Singer and Simplicity and Brother. The Kenmore serger is almost identical to the Janome I just gave my daughter. Have you checked PatternReview.com for user and owner ratings? I can say that I love my sergers and have posted all over the internet how great my Elna 744 coverlock is. My Pfaff 4842 is good as was my Janome New Home. My old Babylock was super. These sergers vary greatly. Models in the same brand even vary greatly in quality, features and price. It is good to check reviews by owners and users..but best to sit at one and give a test drive. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: jakerpelman
Date: 01-26-2005, 10:18 AM (13 of 13)
| Hi all, sorry I've let this issue languish. When I went to try out some of the sergers at my local JoAnn stores, they had only the priciest models available for test drives. Then I learned that both stores were out of the White 1600, and likely the warehouse was out too. It looks like the 1600 is off the table. I appreciate all of the guidance, suggestions, and comments, and will refer to them when I next consider buying a serger. Thanks, Jason. |
User: jakerpelman
Member since: 01-12-2005 Total posts: 4 |
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