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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: kinnimaples
Date: 03-31-2005, 02:02 PM (1 of 13)
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Hi. I just joined today and hope this question doesn't bore anyone. I have an ancient Bernina Bernette 5 thread serger - it's been great but I'm ready to finally retire her. I am in the market for a new serger but all the new bells and whistles offered on the new machines completely overwhelm me. I teach dance and am always designing/sewing costumes and props. (For instance, I have to make 120 scarves - 12x12 - for an upcoming recital.) I don't really do 'fancy' work but am always hopeful that I will one day. I also sew swimwear and basic dancewear as well as basic sewing for myself, my family and my house. I have thought about the Babylock Evolve($$$)and since I like my Elna sewing machine, an Elna Serger. I'd welcome (with open arm!) any thoughts, suggestions on helping me make my selection. Thanks! Jennifer |
User: kinnimaples
Member since: 03-31-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: toadusew
Date: 04-01-2005, 10:06 AM (2 of 13)
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I think there are quite a few good quality sergers on the market today. I test drove an Elna and liked it, but it "danced" all over the table. However, I do think it's a good serger, so it might work for you. I'm also a fan of Janome and liked their sergers, too. I have Janome sewing machines and thought about staying "brand" loyal, but in my case, I bought the Husqvarna/Viking serger. It was the right one for me. Mine is model 905, which is the one without the display screen, which cost about $300 more. I decided that I could read the manual just as well. LOL I loved the Viking line of sergers and have really enjoyed mine. I don't really know what all it can do since I mostly finish seams right now. In my case, the serger came with about $200 worth of extra feet and I will use those eventually. The model 910 has the display screen so you don't have to check your manual for settings, and then I believe it's model 936 that is computerized. So far, I've had no trouble with this serger, except when I thread it incorrectly, and that is user error, not the machine's fault!  I think buying a serger is like buying a regular sewing machine; you just have to find the one that is right foryou and will fit your needs best. I highly recommend going to "test drive" the machines you are interested in. Good luck and happy sewing/serging! 
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 04-01-2005, 10:27 PM (3 of 13)
| Everyone seems to love the Babylocks. I had one for many years and it was a great serger and it didn't have the air threading of the ones today. I also think Janome makes good basic sergers.I recently gave mine to my daughter. I love the Pfaff 4842 that I recently gave to a daughter in..it can handle almost anything like an industrial. I also tried an Elna that shook all over including shaking the table. I did buy and Elna 744 that does not shake the table and it is a very sturdy 4 thread serger with 16 stitch programs plus 3 coverhem and chain stitch. It is not computerized like the model above it. I bought this for the triple coverhem including the double thread coverhems both narrow and wide. It has needle tension release, 5 needles with a tilt needle bar for easy needle change. The front 3 positions are used for coverhem and chain. The back 2 positions are used for regular serge programs. It is a very easy serger..just dial the stitch number on the panel that you desire and the tensions are automatic. The conversion to coverhem is a snap. Add the little table that comes with the machine and just thread the chain looper..no need to change foot or needle plate..dial the stitch you want and you are all set. This would make a great serger for doing leotards and costumes. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-02-2005, 08:31 AM (4 of 13)
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Kylnne2- I'm glad to hear good things about the Pfaff 4842 since I am looking at either a 4842, 4852 or even a 4862. I'd really like the 52 but at the shop where I got my sewing machine they will look for a "rebox" and save me some money. But I have a better chance of finding one if I give them a range of machines to look for. I decided that rather than pour more money into the White that broke so fast and has crappy service (at least around here) I'd go ahead and get a brand I trust from a place with great support. I went back to the same place where I got my sewing machine and test drove the 4852. I fell in love with it. And they have a sewing educator coming in to give a series of classes on using a serger. Now I just have to convince myself I want to lay out that kind of cash. Mothers' Day is coming, maybe I can convince my husband he should buy it for me. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: kinnimaples
Date: 04-02-2005, 09:08 AM (5 of 13)
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Thanks for the replies regarding help in finding a serger. I went back and read as many old & new posts as I was able and found a treasure of information. I am very tempted to buy my serger from EBay - anyone have any advice? I guess the one big drawback is that I cannot 'test' drive the machine before buying and EVERYONE advises that. I live in rural Wisconsin - a good hour away from dealers and my time is limited. (I homeschool my children as well as sew from home, teach dance and volunteer in town.) One thing I know now is that I don't have to buy a 5 or more thread (thanks for the great posts) in order to have a coverstitch. I'll keep reading posts - researching machines and looking for the perfect fit and price. Jennifer |
User: kinnimaples
Member since: 03-31-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: toadusew
Date: 04-02-2005, 09:58 AM (6 of 13)
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I think that buying from ebay might be an option, but the shipping charges on a heavy thing like a serger could be rather high. And, personally, I would want to buy from a local reliable dealer in order to have good dealer support. That way, if you have questions or problems about/with your particular machine, you have support locally. I bought my Viking serger because it was the right one for me, and the dealer offered lifetime classes. I haven't taken any classes (yet), but I know that if I have questions or concerns, I can always call and someone will help me. Also, when I went to test drive this machine, the dealer sat down and taught me how to thread it, made me thread it 2 or 3 times, and explained lots of serger "mysteries"--LOL--to me. She also told me the difference between my machine and the model up--a display screen (not computerized) that cost about $300 more, and she said that in her opinion, it wasn't worth paying the higher price since the same information is in the manual. (I decided that I could look up anything I needed to in the manual. )This was before I even purchased from her! Needless to say, she made a sale a few days later, and I've been very happy with the machine.
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: Hogmami
Date: 04-02-2005, 10:15 AM (7 of 13)
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I have the same serger from Viking. And love it. I have taken some of the classes. I also have a Viking sewing machine and love it.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: Kylnne2
Date: 04-02-2005, 05:38 PM (8 of 13)
| If you want to buy on line instead of going to eBay the on line dealers have great prices and usually free shipping. I got a new in box Janome for only $199. It was a 4 thread with auto stitch finger change and a good machine that I gave to my daughter. Dorothy, I felt the 4842 Pfaff is a bit more sturdy than the models above it but does not do coverhem. I also think the foot pedal might be different. It had 2 speeds on the foot control. The 4852 and 4862 can do coverhem. I think the 4852 is a 5 thread and can only do one coverhem size..not sure about the 4862. The 4862 I understand also had automatic tensions like the Elna 744. The Pfaffs and Elnas are made in Japan. I was told they were made in the same factory and that is why they resemble each other. My decision for the 744 was for several reasons over other machines. Price for one thing. I bought it on sale locally for much less than what I have seen posted by some people on line. Also the 3 different coverhem capability being only a 4 thread and the automatic tension, tilt needles and easy threading and conversion. Truly it is probably the easiest serger I have ever used and it does a good job and that is probably once I get started posting about it I cannot stop and have to make sure everyone knows how I feel. I know we all love our sergers and machines..no matter what the brand and everyone is different. I do suggest before buying a serger to give this one a try. I was not impressed with Elna models under this (at all) or above this one. The models below the 744 seems not at all the same quality. The model above is computerized, a 5 thread and has pro cards and is more in price. It is all personal preference like I mentioned and nice to love the one you have and use it and have fun. After many years of just overcasting seams and gathering and blind hem on my past serger, I now find there is so much more you can do with the serger giving professional results. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: mamadus
Date: 04-04-2005, 12:57 AM (9 of 13)
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I'll add my two cents here since I just got a new serger for Christmas... my dad got me a Viking 936 for Christmas.. its a very nice machine, but not the easiest to thread in the world.... I ended up taking it back... I did some additional research and got it down to the Elna or the Babylock... I liked the tilt needle deal on the Elna, but I really liked the jet air threading on the Babylock... In the end I went with the Babylock... you just have to test drive various models and decide which features are the most important to you... just my 2 cents,, MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: Hippiegirl
Date: 04-04-2005, 01:19 AM (10 of 13)
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I'm glad to hear good things about the Pfaff 4842 since I am looking at either a 4842, 4852 or even a 4862. I went back to the same place where I got my sewing machine and test drove the 4852. I fell in love with it. Now I just have to convince myself I want to lay out that kind of cash. Dorothy, The 4852 is the model I'm buying as well. Since I have a Pfaff sewing machine, I decided to stay with the same brand and quality. It's a great machine. I asked about the triple coverhem, but I will never use it. It's on layaway and for the price, it will be a while before I get to bring it home. As for sergers, since I have never used one, the dealer support is neccessary for me. I really like my dealer. I'm paying 1000, which came down from 1200 during an anniversary sale. I would have put the 4872 on layaway, but its no longer made evidently. Let us know what you decided. |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 04-04-2005, 02:41 AM (11 of 13)
| Hippiegirl, I hope when you get your 4852 you enjoy it. I'm glad your dealer still had one. My dealer no longer has them but has the new model limited edition with the red top which is basically the same . The 4852 is the serger I wanted to trade up to. I had a 4842 under 2 mos and wanted to use their trade up with in a year and get full value policy because I wanted the coverhem feature. The 4852 was on sale but to trade up my 4842 they would not give the sale price of the 4852 but would only give me msrp which is a higher price than they ever sold the serger for. I did go elsewhere and got my Elna that I am so pleased with and I gave the 4842 to my DDIL. I do think the 4852 is a nice 5 thread serger. I think you will be happy with it. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-04-2005, 08:30 AM (12 of 13)
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Well you guys convinced me. I'm going to order my 4852 - rebox if I can get it. Maybe if they are phasing them out I will even be able to get their demo model. That was how I got my sewing machine and it is great. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 04-05-2005, 12:55 AM (13 of 13)
| Whoops, I had to edit my previous post..it was hippiegirl that was getting the 4852, but now Dorothy I guess you are getting it also. I hope you enjoy it. The new serger that I believe is replacing the 4852 might be the 4850..the one with the red top. I don't know what the differences are between the 2 nor do I know the price difference. You can see this serger on the Pfaff site. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
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