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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: quiltgal8
Date: 08-21-2005, 10:21 AM (1 of 14)
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HELP!! I am driving myself (and my husband) nuts trying to figure out what to buy. I have never used a serger but have decided to take the plunge as I love making quilted purses and I think a serger will help make them look more finished. I will also use it on fleece and baby things cause I just found out I am going to be a grandma for the first time!! I have heard nothing but horror stories about sergers so I really, really need some advice. I have a Bernina sewing machine so I am partial to that brand but their prices are more than I want to spend right now. I think I like the Janome 744D. Any thoughts on that one?? And I have read some great reviews on the Euro Pro but also have read that customer service sucks!! I really don't want to spend more that $500 in case it ends up collecting dust because I get so frustrated with it!! Today is my first posting as I just found the site but I am sure I will be back many, many times. Any advice you can give me will be GREATLY appreciated!! |
User: quiltgal8
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 08-21-2005, 11:07 AM (2 of 14)
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Hi Quiltgal8, Welcome to Sew Whats News. I myself am not a serger user even though I have one. Lots of folks on here are and I know you will get some good advice. Hope you will join in our discussion and join in the challenges and swaps. Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 08-21-2005, 01:06 PM (3 of 14)
| If you want the easiest & best on the market then get the Janome Compulock. It's wonderful & I love it. Sounds like a lot of money but worth every penny. I have another Janome surger & it's great but this one beats all as for as I'm concerned. Sergers always made me nervous. Don't know why as I'v been sewing computerized machines for years but then they are different than a sewing machine. Get at least a 4 thread. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: esrun3
Date: 08-21-2005, 01:33 PM (4 of 14)
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Welcome Quiltgal8! I don't own a serger and sometimes think I'd like one but it's not necessarily high on my priority list so I remain sergeless. I know lots of the folks here use sergers though so you are sure to get some good advise. Just wanted to say Welcome!
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-21-2005, 03:38 PM (5 of 14)
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Whatever you decide to get, get it from a dealer that will teach you how to use it, answer questions if you have problems and be handy for repairs. I agree, go for the four thread if you can. They do a lot more. And try to get a cover stitch. But be sure to find a supportive dealer or your new toy may end up on the shelf. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 08-21-2005, 05:10 PM (6 of 14)
| quiltgal, I suggest that you test drive some various models of sergers and see which you are most comfortable in using. If you are comfortable with the serger you choose, you will use it more often. If you are deciding between Janome and EuroPro I suggest to check the reviews by owners and users. Janome gets the highest marks. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: quiltgal8
Date: 08-21-2005, 08:25 PM (7 of 14)
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Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their thoughts and kindness. This website is awesome and it is so nice to ask a question and actually get a reply!! You've all made me feel very welcome!! I am leaning toward the Janome 744D mainly because my dealer is less than a mile from my house and she will always be there to help with questions. She also gives you free lessons and each month conducts a class where you make little items. Last month they made a baby's bonnet from lace. Everyone that I have meant from her store has been really nice and most of them have the same machine and love it. Because I have been compulsive with buying things I am working at asking more questions and window shopping before jumping into a purchase! Thanks again and if anyone else has any more thoughts or suggestion please feel free to post them because I won't be making the purchase right away as we are going on vacation right after Labor Day and I want something to look forward to when we return. I'm sure it is going to be another long cold winter!! |
User: quiltgal8
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 08-21-2005, 11:01 PM (8 of 14)
The Janome 744D is a good serger. Also having your dealer close is the way to go plus the lessons.Have a wonderful vacation. I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you concerning the serger. Glad you joined our group. 
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User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: Sailorliz
Date: 08-22-2005, 10:44 AM (9 of 14)
I own an Euro Pro and love it. I've had it about a year and half now. It is my first serger. I can't vouch for the customer service, as I have had no problems. I looked at Janome, but I went with price and warranty. There is a women who is a professional seamstress and sews 8 to 9 hours daily here in the town I live in. She only will sew with Euro-pro machines. She owns two sergers and one mechanical. I tried hers out before ordering mine. If you want lessons or support for your machine, then buy from a local dealer. (Euro Pro does not sell through dealers). I also just purchased the Euro-Pro computerized sewing machine. It has over 1000 stitches. I love it.  Good luck in whatever you decide. Happy sewing/quilting/crafting
Liz Visit my photo page http://new.photos.yahoo.com/sailorlizmi/albums |
User: Sailorliz
Member since: 07-20-2004 Total posts: 386 
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From: Kylnne2
Date: 08-23-2005, 02:02 AM (10 of 14)
| Sears Kenmore sergers are also Janome sergers and might cost lost less than the Janomes with the Janome name on them. Europro has nice features for the price too. Quiltgal, congrats on becoming a gran..I am expecting my 27th grandbaby in Jan. If you are going on vacation you might want to pick up some books on serging..then you will be all set and ready to go when you get your new serger. You will love it..sergers are so much fun. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: gm23237
Date: 10-17-2005, 08:32 PM (11 of 14)
| This serger does all I want and the price was great. i think it was around $229.00 at Wal Mart. It was a gift so I am not sure what the price was. Anyway I find myself using the serger now more than the sewing machine which is also a Brother. I have had great luck with Brother and enjoy them both.... |
User: gm23237
Member since: 11-03-2003 Total posts: 145 
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From: weezie
Date: 10-19-2005, 10:09 PM (12 of 14)
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Welcome to a great site Quiltgal, Have you thought of looking into refurbished sergers from a dealer? I am disabled and on a limited budget yet after hearing so many good things from other sewists online who loved and used their sergers, I knew I wanted to add one to my machines but had to watch the budget closely.Lucky me found an older Bernina 2000DE that was affordable at my Bernina dealers.It had been traded in and refurbished before it was put on the sales floor.I did get a few lessons to get me started and have taken a few classes since.I know of other dealers who also do the refurbished machines and realize that often you can get a better machine to get you started if you are either on a tight budget or are not sure how much you would use a different type of machine. I also agree with going with at least a four thread machine that will not be outgrown right off. Another good idea when you are looking for a serger is to take some fabrics pieces which are things you often use and try the machines yourself.It's one thing to watch someone else sew and quite another to test drive yourself.Good luck finding your new sewing friend.Weezie weezie
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User: weezie
Member since: 01-01-2002 Total posts: 34 |
From: Dustbunny01
Date: 11-12-2005, 01:02 AM (13 of 14)
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Berninas is made by juki , esp the 654DE ebay has this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSAA:US:11&Item=8229117643 we offered 270.00 and got it.. shipping is only 10.00 I am also new to a Serger, so I have some books to buy, but I am giving mine a test run this weekend!! I think I can thread it without a lot of problem. 
DB
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User: Dustbunny01
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 159 
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From: Yuliya
Date: 11-12-2005, 12:17 PM (14 of 14)
| Yes, Bernina is made by Juki... I used to have sewing machine made by Juki. It made a good stitch, but it had flat electronic functional buttons all over the place, and one day some of the buttons stopped working. It can probably be fixed. I always hear good comments about Juki. Maybe I just bought "unlucky one-in-the-million" machine. |
User: Yuliya
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 7 
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