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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: astrong
Date: 09-21-2005, 09:55 PM (1 of 22)
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Hello all!!! I am a new member and am new to using a serger machine. A friend of mine has loaned me her serger with the option of purchasing it from her and I am in need of some advice. I have never used a serger except for my experimenting with this one tonight. THe machine is a White Model SL234D and has only been used a couple of times so it is in great shape. She asked me to make an offer for this machine but I have no clue what to offer her for it. My first question is, will this be a good beginner machine? Also, will I be able to do any quilting on this machine? What should I offer her for this machine if it would be a good fit for a beginner? I have some sewing experience from my younger years but I am picking it back up again because I have some time on my hands and I miss doing it. I have a thing with quilts so I thought I would get into quilting and see what I could do. If this serger will help me accomplish that, it would be great. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Amy Strong |
User: astrong
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 6 
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From: esrun3
Date: 09-21-2005, 10:02 PM (2 of 22)
Hi Amy, Welcome to the boards! I can't answer your questions about sergers, I don't own one but my understanding of sergers is that they are used for seam finishing or can sew a straight seam and finish all in one step. Would not be my choice for quilting-for that I would use a regular sewing machine. I'm sure someone will be by soon with some better answers than I have! Hope you hang around and get to know us. 
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: astrong
Date: 09-21-2005, 10:06 PM (3 of 22)
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Lyn, Thank you for the warm welcome. I am so glad I found this website and all of the great forums. I think it will be a great help in getting me started again. I have missed sewing for so long, it is a good feeling to get back into it. Amy |
User: astrong
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 6
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From: Sailorliz
Date: 09-22-2005, 08:41 AM (4 of 22)
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Hi Amy, Do you have a regular sewing machine already? If not, I would start there. I'm not familiar with the model you are trying, as I have a Euro Pro serger. But, I do not use it for quilting. I use a regular sewing machine. I have used it to make some quicky baby and toddlers utility quilts (for Katrina victims). That was just layering the front, back and batting. Sewing the three sides and part of the forth, then turning it right side out. (I think they call this birthing a quilt). Then I used my regular sewing machine to run some quick stitching through them for quilting. Other than those quilts, I use my regular sewing machine for piecing and quilting. A serger is great for sewing garmets and they are very fast. Welcome Aboard!
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: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-22-2005, 06:50 PM (5 of 22)
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I love my serger, but it does not replace a regular sewing machine.. You need a reg. machine for quilting.. Sergers are great for seam finishing, and lots of garments can be made on a serger, specially things like T-shirts, etc... I make receiving blankets, fingertip towels into baby bibs, baby washcloths, towel turbans like the teen-agers love for after shampooing.. SErgers are great for knit fabric construction.. Quilting really cannot be done on a serger..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Kylnne2
Date: 09-22-2005, 08:21 PM (6 of 22)
| Hello astrong. I think once you start reading books about what sergers can do you will find they are used for more than just edge finishing. As for quilting..many people find that piecing blocks goes much faster when using a serger. The method has been shown on tv programs like Sewing with Nancy among others. You just line up your fabric and sew them all in a line by serger. You might find this method in some of the serger books. Some sergers can sew finer seams than others with using a 2 thread narrow seam. Some sergers have many stitch programs and include coverhem while others only have basic stitches. I hope you enjoy learning what sergers can do. They are so fast, cutting sewing time in half and they are so much fun. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: astrong
Date: 09-23-2005, 10:51 AM (7 of 22)
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Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. I looking forward to learning a lot and even maybe helping out where I can. I do have 2 regular sewing machines. They are from both of my grandmothers. They are both Singers but I have only had experience with one. The electic one I have is a 1950's Singer that I can do most of my sewing on. The other is an 1890's Singer treadle (sp?) that I haven't had the guts to try out on any projects yet. It takes some time to get used to using one of those, I think. I was hoping that I could use this serger to put together my quilt blocks and then do the quilting on the regular sewing machine. So many times I see quilts that the stitches come out of the blocks and eventually the quilt is ruined. This is what has happened to some of my older quilts that have been hand-me-downs from my grandmothers. I just think that the serger stitch would be a stronger stitch that would last longer. Am I right in my thinking? Thanks, Amy |
User: astrong
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 6
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From: sewingrandma
Date: 09-23-2005, 11:19 AM (8 of 22)
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I have the White Speedylock 2/3/4 serger with differential feed. I use it mostly for finishing seams in clothing. I'm not sure I would use it for quilting. When I make my clothing I always sew a seam on my regular machine first as I don't think the serger stitching holds as well, especially on those seams that have more stress on them. My dealer even recommended that I do that. The serger itself is easy to thread and adjust the tensions and you can do all sorts of seams with it. Mine you can not sew unless the blades are down so that does limit the width of my seams somewhat as the seam allowance is always cut away. There are a lot of serger How To books out there that can give you a better idea of what you really want. Chris James has excellent book The Complet Serger Handbook that takes you from A-Z. Singer also has Sewing with an Overlock that has useful info. I would check the first book first as it really goes in depth about the stitches and uses. As far as what to offer for price. Some Joann's carry these machines and offer them on sale frequently even on-line.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-23-2005, 12:34 PM (9 of 22)
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I don't think anyone has mentioned the fact that serger thread is not as strong as regular sewing thread.. I would hate it if they (seams) came apart after being in a finished quilt.. Now I do put squares together with the serger on something as simple as a 9-patch or stuff like that..(pot holders, place mats, etc..)
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: Kylnne2
Date: 09-24-2005, 06:29 AM (10 of 22)
| I really do feel that a serged seam is strong mainly because it is stretchier than a regular seam plus the stitching contains several threads. The same as with a coverhem done by a serger being stretchier than when using a double needle on a sewing machine. There are many types of stitches on todays sergers too depending on what you wish to use them for. My newest serger has 18 different stitch programs including 3 different coverhems and a chain stitch. But even with my basic serger purchased many years ago I used it for many different projects once I found it could do more than just seam finishes. Sergers were first used in the garment industry before they became so popular in home use. With todays machines you can create an entire garment by using just a serger. I used to just use my serger for seam finishes but now use it equally as much as I do my sewing machine. You can do felled seams, belt loops, insert zippers, puffing, gathering, flat locking, pintucks, rolled hem, blind hems and cover hems, insert ribbon and lace, bind, sew in elastic and do many decorative looks. Sergers give professional results and they are so much fun. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: debsews
Date: 09-24-2005, 01:18 PM (11 of 22)
| I have been reading all the serger questions and am contemplating a new Huskylock 910 or 936. I have watched ebay for some time and have any of you ever bought a machine from ebay. I could save about $1000 on the machine I want and it is still in the box. I don't know what happens about a warranty or if I would just be on my own. Of course the store wants me to purchase from them but the $1600 price tag is a bit daunting for a retiree with no money! I haven't checked out any other machines because I already have the viking #1 plus and like it. I am driving myself crazy with the what ifs and maybe I'm making too much out of the warranty thing. What do you all think? |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 09-24-2005, 01:46 PM (12 of 22)
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I think if you spend the extra money for a brand new store bought machine with a good warranty you will probably not have a problem at least until the warranty runs out and you will wonder why you didn't get the cheaper machine. But, if you do get one on ebay and there is no warranty, sure as shootin' you will have all kinds of trouble. That's life. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 09-24-2005, 06:28 PM (13 of 22)
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There was a woman on TV this afternoon piecing together a quilt with a serger. Made me think of this discussion. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: soverysewey
Date: 09-24-2005, 09:09 PM (14 of 22)
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I purchased a Pfaff 4872 for a very good price used...not a dealer. The price was so good that if anything does go wrong and I have to have it repaired I'd still be way ahead. I'd say if you can save $1000 by buying used go for it. I have had no trouble with my new/used machine .I m still learning it but so far it does what it is supposed to do.I could not be more pleased with my purchase of a second hand machine. I do have a dealer local that gives serger classes to anyone that has a serger..for a fee of course ..so if I should get stuck on something I can take the class. I tried the 234DE and found it to be a great little machine, I threaded it with no problems and it did a nice seam.That one was sold for $150 and was a barely used machine. |
User: soverysewey
Member since: 12-19-2003 Total posts: 56 |
From: astrong
Date: 09-24-2005, 10:23 PM (15 of 22)
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I had a feeling when I joined this forum I would get a lot of useful information. You guys are great. I think I have decided to go ahead and buy the serger from my friend and try my hand at it. I am sure that I have a lot to learn, but I have never learned anything by not trying it. I am going to try one quilt on the serger and one on the regular sewing machine and see what I think when I'm done. Only time will tell........ Thank you all for the great information!!!!!!!!! Amy |
User: astrong
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 6
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From: bridesmom
Date: 09-25-2005, 04:47 AM (16 of 22)
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Amy, don't know if you know anyone who owns a serger other than your friend, but if you know someone who does a lot of sewing or have a really good fabric/sewing machine store close by, you may be able to get some lessons on your machine. Totally worth it to learn how to use your machine to its best advantage, cause there is so much more you can do than just serge seams.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: gm23237
Date: 10-08-2005, 09:17 PM (17 of 22)
| I do not quilt much so I use the serger more than the sewing machine. Experiment with different threads, setting and embellishment. My serger came with two very handy cd's that had a ton of ideas. Have fun!!!! |
User: gm23237
Member since: 11-03-2003 Total posts: 145 
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From: gm23237
Date: 10-08-2005, 09:20 PM (18 of 22)
| Ask around Wal Mart stores if you have one close by. I suggest that you ask them about the Brother 1034D serger and see if they or anyone can copy the cd's for you on their cd burner. I mention Wal Mart because that is where iIbought my serger and last I saw they still are selling those. |
User: gm23237
Member since: 11-03-2003 Total posts: 145
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From: Aussie sewer
Date: 10-16-2005, 01:21 AM (19 of 22)
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I bought my first serger a few months ago now. I love it. I think you should not be limited by what others do on their sergers because everyone is different. Mine is not a Bernina but I did go to a serger workshop at my Bernina Club this week (my sewing machine is a Bernina) and the man who did the class opened our eyes to all new ways of using it. He started by saying "most people buy this piece of equiment to neaten their seams - what a waste". He very quickly sewed up some lovely panties which looked like they had been bought from a very expensive store. He showed us how to quickly do false hems which you could then put elastic in (for the tops of track suits for instance). He explained putting elastic in swimmer and other things related to that. There were lots of other things as well. There are also some great books of artistic uses for sergers for decorative sewing. Morale of the story - if you want to try it for quilting - give it a go. I can't see why you couldn't do that. Also this trainer did say to us, that although they call 5 thread stitches safety stitches - go ahead with 4 thread as it's safe for seams and he said - please don't waste your time sewing the seam with your machine as well. I agree with him on this. I hope you enjoy your serger and look forward to seeing how you go with your quilting - give it a go. What's to lose? Maree |
User: Aussie sewer
Member since: 06-02-2005 Total posts: 29 |
From: Aussie sewer
Date: 10-16-2005, 03:23 AM (20 of 22)
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Hi Amy I was looking for something on another site and came across this web page with instructions for quilting on a serger. Hope it helps. Maree http://www.clotilde.com/cl/product_group.asp?topcatname=Serging&listtype=dept&subcat1=SER&subcat2=SER-18&catalog=CF05&dept_name=Serging+Accessories&g_id=351115 |
User: Aussie sewer
Member since: 06-02-2005 Total posts: 29 |
From: astrong
Date: 10-17-2005, 10:33 AM (21 of 22)
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Maree, Thank you for the website. I will have to check that out. It sounds like what I am looking for. Amy |
User: astrong
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 6
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From: MaryW
Date: 10-17-2005, 10:39 AM (22 of 22)
Maree, thank you for that post. We all need to step out of our comfort zone. Great suggestions too. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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