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The Sew What’s New Archive

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: DorothyL
Date: 04-21-2005, 07:26 AM (1 of 29)
I just ordered a Pfaff 4862. I'm very excited.
I got a pretty good deal too. It lists for $1,669 and I'm paying $1,099 for a re-pack.
It's a four thread with 13 stitch programs.
It's a little pricey for me right now -- I really can't afford this without stressing the plastic a bit -- but if I get the kind of satisfaction from it that I have with my Pfaff sewing machine it is worth it. And my husband has promised to help pay for it once we sell his mother's house.
The service at this shop is great. There is a good warranty and they fix things right there in the shop. But with my sewing machine I've never had to have anything fixed.
It should be in the shop Friday or Monday. I hope it comes in Friday so I can pick it up over the weekend and start using it. The ladies at the shop sit down with you and teach you how to use the machine and answer all your questions. There are also some classes for using a serger with their sewing educator that I am going to sign up for.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: MaryW
Date: 04-21-2005, 09:42 AM (2 of 29)
I betcha you will be a whole lot happier with this machine Dorothy and if the shop is as good as you say it is, they will give you tips and hints on threading, etc.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-21-2005, 10:03 AM (3 of 29)
Mary
They said to expect to spend two hours with them for my lesson. When I got my sewing machine they told me so much stuff I forgot a lot.
I bought a book full of ideas and I'm really excited.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: Magot
Date: 04-21-2005, 10:49 AM (4 of 29)
What is the book you got Dorothy - there is nothing in the libraries around here and I could do with something to give me good start on using mine as well. I've only managed 2 items - a fleece jacket and a pair of linen trousers and I would love to see what else I could do. I could do with a hints section as well on how to get the perfect cover stitch.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-21-2005, 11:05 AM (5 of 29)
Jan
The book is called Serger Secrets from America's Top Serger Experts, edited by Susan Huxley.
It is published by Rodale, Inc.
Book Reader's Service
33 E. Minor St.
Emmaus, PA. 18098

www.rodale.com

It seems to have a lot of information in it.

Dorothy
soon to be a S.W.O.G.M.
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: Magot
Date: 04-21-2005, 11:57 AM (6 of 29)
Thanks Dorothy,
There are 2 on Amazon:
Serger Secrets: High-Fashion Techniques for Creating Great-Looking Clothes (Rodale Sewing Book) or
Sewing Secrets from the Fashion Industry: Proven Methods to Help You Sew Like the Pros (A Rodale Sewing Book)

which one do you have?
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-21-2005, 12:51 PM (7 of 29)
Jan
Mine is High Fashion Techniques for Creating Great Looking Clothes.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: Kylnne2
Date: 04-23-2005, 04:26 AM (8 of 29)
Dorothy, I think you will love your new Pfaff serger. I loved my 4842 but since I got my Elna 744 with coverhem which is designed like the 4842..I figured I didn't need 2 so I gave my Pfaff to my DDIL. I do miss it. The Pfaff sergers are nice heavy duty sergers. The 4842 had a 2 speed heavy pedal and cord that was like an industrial. You will love all the different new things it can do and the decorative threads that can be used to create beautiful edges etc. on almost any type of fabric. The extra feet that can be purchased are great also. The Pfaff feet for their coverlock machines that came in a pkg of 3 also fit my Elna. I found they have mulitple uses. I hope you have many happy serging hours.
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004
Total posts: 629
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-23-2005, 08:39 AM (9 of 29)
They said it would be in Friday or Monday. It didn't come yesterday -- at least they didn't call. Maybe it came late and they will call this morning. I am so excited. I want it now!!!
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: CodyGramma
Date: 04-23-2005, 10:31 AM (10 of 29)
Does anyone know of a book that teaches how to use a serger? I have the book that came with mine but I'm finding it hard to understand. Maybe I'm just an idiot but I've had my serger for two years now and its just sitting here collecting dust! LOL
User: CodyGramma
Member since: 04-22-2005
Total posts: 133
From: SummersEchos
Date: 04-23-2005, 11:29 PM (11 of 29)
CodyGramma,
I have a few books and I still do not use my serger. I can thread it, and do the plain stuff when it works right, but that is it. I find it so frustrating that I quit.
Summer
Summer

FREE FALLIN
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004
Total posts: 884
From: Kylnne2
Date: 04-24-2005, 06:00 AM (12 of 29)
Dorothy, I've heard that the 4862 is much like my Elna 744 and has auto tensions. You are going to love the auto tensions :)
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004
Total posts: 629
From: soverysewey
Date: 04-25-2005, 03:04 AM (13 of 29)
Sounds like you got a deal! Which machine did you have before this one that was so frustrating?
User: soverysewey
Member since: 12-19-2003
Total posts: 56
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-25-2005, 07:26 AM (14 of 29)
soverysewey,
I picked up a White Speedylock 1634 on sale for half price ($200). It lasted through about three garments then went cockeyed. It would cost about $80 just to have it looked at and I wouldn't even be able to talk with the repair people -- just the dealer. They were much more interested in selling me a more expensive machine than repairing the one I had.
It came with absolutely no instruction on how to use it "out serger person is out today" and a manual that was pretty much useless.
So I decided to spend money I don't have, get a good machine from a dealer I know I can trust.
Now if it would just get here!! Hopefully today.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: Kylnne2
Date: 04-26-2005, 05:40 AM (15 of 29)
CodyGramma, I have given away some of my older books but I kept one called Know Your Babylock. It has much info and projects to do are also included and is a great beginners book. My newer books are more colorful with pictures etc. that show the stitches rather than just pencil drawings that the older books had. The books are ..ABC's of Serging, Serger Secrets, Sewing with Nancy's Serge Ahead, The Ultimate Serger Answer Guide, The Complete Serger Handbook and Serger Shortcuts (Tips, Tricks, & Techniques). I really cannot say which book is best because they are all different.
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004
Total posts: 629
From: Magot
Date: 04-26-2005, 12:09 PM (16 of 29)
Any sign of a delivery yet Dorothy, or are you still pregnant with expectation?
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: CodyGramma
Date: 04-26-2005, 02:32 PM (17 of 29)
CodyGramma, I have given away some of my older books but I kept one called Know Your Babylock. It has much info and projects to do are also included and is a great beginners book. My newer books are more colorful with pictures etc. that show the stitches rather than just pencil drawings that the older books had. The books are ..ABC's of Serging, Serger Secrets, Sewing with Nancy's Serge Ahead, The Ultimate Serger Answer Guide, The Complete Serger Handbook and Serger Shortcuts (Tips, Tricks, & Techniques). I really cannot say which book is best because they are all different.

Thanks for the info! I went to the library yesterday to see what she could find for me. If I find a book that helps then I can go buy it but I hate to buy one at the prices they want for books nowadays unless I'm sure it will be helpful. Thanks again!
User: CodyGramma
Member since: 04-22-2005
Total posts: 133
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-26-2005, 05:27 PM (18 of 29)
It's here!!
I went in to the shop today and spent about four hours playing with it. There were about half a dozen women there just sewing. On Tuesdays anyone can just come in and sew. Bring your own machine or use theirs. Tuesdays are mostly quilters. On Mondays garment sewers come in and teach each other different techniques. It's a very cool shop.
This machine is awesome. Easy to thread with 13 stitch programs. And you don't have to go fast. It has a slow speed that is just right for me. It has a needle threader and a thing that inserts the needles so they are easy to get in and out.
It is so much easier to use and does so much more that the White I had.
Well, I'm gonna go play with it now.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: Kylnne2
Date: 04-27-2005, 03:14 AM (19 of 29)
Your welcome CodyGramma. Dorothy, I'm so happy you like your new serger. :) but I just knew you would.
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004
Total posts: 629
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-27-2005, 07:20 AM (20 of 29)
Yeah, now I can't get serious with it until the week end because I have two deadlines looming and have to work for three days.
Dorothy.
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: CodyGramma
Date: 04-27-2005, 03:21 PM (21 of 29)
Maybe I can join the ranks of those who "love my serger" soon!! Just received a call from my local library and they found The ABC's of Serging for me!! I'm excited now again about it....just hope I don't get let down again like I did when I first bought it!! LOL Now I know what I will be doing for the next few days!!
User: CodyGramma
Member since: 04-22-2005
Total posts: 133
From: Magot
Date: 04-27-2005, 04:12 PM (22 of 29)
Dorothy, Congratulations - soon you too will have S.W.O.G.M. ( Serging Woman Of Great Magnificence) after your name. (bear in mind - I've only made 2 garments and a bunch of hats)It doesn't take much to be a S.W.O.G.M.
S.W.O.A.C. (Serging Woman of Astounding Competance) is a lot harder to achieve and requires the use of a rolled hem as well as flatlock!.... :up:
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-28-2005, 08:32 AM (23 of 29)
Jan
I just hope I can become a S. W. W. C. G. T. D. T. T. (Serging Woman Who Can Get The Darn Thing Threaded).
First I have to work.
It's sitting on the table waiting for the week end.
Dorothy
S. W. T. H. T. W. F.
(Serging Woman That Has To Write First)
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-02-2005, 09:11 AM (24 of 29)
I finally got a chance at sew -- and serge with my new toy. What a joy (once I figured out you have to put the thread under not over the handle or it won't go through the tension) with the slow speed and easy threading and settings.
I made some basic (interpret stupid) mistakes. Like the fabric is black on the outside and pastels on the wrong side and dummy me, I used black thread to finish the seams! It won't show on the outside but doesn't look good on the inside. Also I would have finished the seams a little differently if I'd have thought about it more before I started.
Still, I didn't do anything to ruin the skirt I'm making.
I have a lot to learn but in the end I think I'm going to like this machine.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: MaryW
Date: 05-02-2005, 10:29 AM (25 of 29)
Dorothy, I forgot. What type of machine did you get?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-02-2005, 10:37 AM (26 of 29)
I got a Pfaff 6842. It's a sweetie. Very easy to figure out. And since I got a repack it was about $500 cheaper.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: Magot
Date: 05-02-2005, 11:51 AM (27 of 29)
Dorothy, are you now S.W.W.T.I.B.? (serging woman who threads it backwards)
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-02-2005, 12:16 PM (28 of 29)
No, Jan
I am a S. W. B. C. (Serging Woman Basically Competent) Thank You.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: Mother in Law
Date: 05-02-2005, 03:10 PM (29 of 29)
Just saw this post. I got the Serger Secrets High Fashion also and it's a great book if I could get my serger to do those things. I need a new one this one is out of style and out of date. Maybe this Christmas :wink: Let us know Dorothy what all you learn. SHARE girl SHARE with us.
User: Mother in Law
Member since:
Total posts:
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