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From: Lina42
Date: 01-25-2006, 01:31 AM (1 of 19)
| I already have an overlocker, now I would like to buy a coverstitch which can use for stretch/unstretch materials (but not too expensive one!). Would you please give me ideas of what type/brand to buy. Thanks |
User: Lina42
Member since: 11-24-2005 Total posts: 5 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-25-2006, 02:45 AM (2 of 19)
| You might want to check reviews by owners on line at PatternReview. The Janome owners seem to love their coverhem machines and I believe they are less expensive now that they have been on the market awhile. I love my Elna 744 serger/coverhem because besides the many serged stitch programs it does 3 different coverhems, double seam narrow and wide and the triple seam coverhem. I was going to buy the Bernina 009 coverhem only being I also had a serger but at the time it was more expensive than the 744 and it didn't do the triple seam that I wanted and the 744 was easier to set up and has tilt needles and auto tensions. Some 5 thread serger/coverhem models also don't do the triple seam. One of the Janome coverhem only models offers the triple seam and the other does not. Babylock coverhem owners seem to like their machines also but I believe they are more pricey. Brother has one that is less expensive I believe but I don't know how it compares with the other brands as far a quality but I have not seen complaints by owners. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Lina42
Date: 01-25-2006, 06:07 AM (3 of 19)
| Hi Kylnne2, thank you very much for your prompt reply. Based on your advice I did have a little search about Elna 744 serger/coverhem, I think I will stick to this model. Many thanks again. |
User: Lina42
Member since: 11-24-2005 Total posts: 5 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 01-25-2006, 07:18 AM (4 of 19)
I want one too! I've actually been looking at the Brother & Babylock though. After reading & talking to several others the biggest problem a few had with the Janome was that they 1) didn't have much in binder attachments 2) didn't have extra room on the front to use another brand of binder attachments. Now the Babylock actually has binder attachments you can buy, & the Brother can be easliy adapted to use different binder attachments. For myself I would really want to use the binder attachments, I could see how much easier it would be to put on necklines, etc. Now I just need to go test drive a Brother (dealer about 90 miles away) and a Babylock (dealer only about 45 minutes away), but waiting for time without kids 
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
|
From: paroper
Date: 01-25-2006, 09:20 AM (5 of 19)
|
Babylock sergers/coverstitch machines are the hot ticket right now because of the air threading. I have a Bernina 1300. I'm not just terribly impressed with the machine. It has some adjustment issues and the directions are horrible. It does more than coverstitch. The coverstitch direction, actually are the better directions. The directions for theading and useage of the "normal" serging stitches are just not there. I've had to use my old 2000 instruction book when wanting to do certain stitches (like 2 thread rolled hem) with the machine and it has so many more "places to put things" than my 2000 that those directions just don't work that well. It does have adjustments for width of the coverstitch and it would be a cool machine if the directions were better and it were better adjusted.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 01-25-2006, 10:04 AM (6 of 19)
|
I'm sure they are the hot ticket in some aspects although I've heard many that said they wished they had separate serger/coverstitch machines. That it is just too much of a pain to switch over. I already have a serger that I am happy right now with, personally I want the stand alone cover stitch machine. Babylock carries a stand alone cover stitch machine as does Brother & Janome.
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246
|
From: paroper
Date: 01-25-2006, 10:10 AM (7 of 19)
|
Bernina does too. I had considered the Bernina 009 machine but hyou can't adjust the number of threads...3 thread instead of 2 and I couldn't have a narrow vs wide width stitch. My old serger is getting a lot of miles and years on it. I figured if I went to a straight machine that I might have to replace my old machine in a few years. I thought that the single machine might be a better addition. However, this machine is not the one I should have purchased. Sometimes the plan is better than the acutal event.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-25-2006, 06:29 PM (8 of 19)
|
My serger is 15 years old, made by Babylock it is a straight 4 thread serger. Because it does such a great job and cost so little when I bought it, I cannot sell it and I was too thrifty to just junk it.. So, I bought the Janome 900 cp which only does the 2 thread coverstitch, but I LOVE IT... It works great and I am very happy with it.. I tried to get a look at an Elna that does it all (have no idea of the model number) but dealer is 60 miles away and when I called about it, he referred me to a dealer here in town that he said also carried it.. That dealer said "he knows good and well I don't carry Elna".. So, I called my Janome dealer and she got the 900 cp for me quick as a wink, and I went to play with it and loved it , so I bought it.. So great to use also.. No learning curve at all..So, I'm very happy with my regular Janome sewing machine, my old babylock serger, and my Janome CP 900.. And that way, I still have money to replenish my stash..LOL.
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: Aimee S
Date: 01-25-2006, 07:25 PM (9 of 19)
|
I have the Janome Coverpro 1000 it is incredible. I love it. It does such a better coverstitch then the coverstitch option that is on the compulock. They have the coverpro 900 on sale right now for 500.00. it is great. I like the 1000 beter only cause it can do a chain stitch and it can do a 3 needle cover stitch and the narrow width and the wide width. The more you disaprove, the more fun I am having!
http://photos.yahoo.com/aimeehs29 |
User: Aimee S
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 488 
|
From: mamadus
Date: 01-26-2006, 12:43 PM (10 of 19)
|
with the Babylock machines,,, changing from regular serger to coverlock is a piece of cake... not difficult at all... much easier than many of the other machines I tested... this is one of the reasons I returnedt the Viking 936 that my dad had gotten me last Christmas in favor of the Babylock Evolve... simpler to switch over... super easy threading... MO life is too short, not to explore
|
User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
|
From: paroper
Date: 01-26-2006, 08:31 PM (11 of 19)
|
Well, I took my coverstitch/serger in for adjustments and cleaning today because it was close to its birthday (and it would be free). The lady and husband who adjusts the sergers had a fit. It was totally out of adjustment and she had a really hard time getting the loopers set correctly. It was out of adjustment when I bought it and they adjusted it so I thought it was me....well, maybe I can use the little bugger now.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 01-27-2006, 12:28 AM (12 of 19)
|
I have the Singer 14T967DC which is a five thread with the cover stitch. It can do all these stitches. Double Chain Stitch Two Thread wrapped edge overlock Three thread overedge Three thread overlock Three thread flatlock Three thread ultra stretch mock safety stitch Four Thread Ultra Stretchmock Safety stitch Four thread safety stitch Five thread safety stitch Five Thread Safety stitch narror Cover stitch narrow Cover stitch wide Triple cover stitch Three thread rolled hem Easy to read instructions online manual. And the best part is I only paid 599.00 US dollars. I use it more now then my regular sewing machine. I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
|
User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
|
From: dmoses
Date: 01-27-2006, 05:08 PM (13 of 19)
|
Hi Susie, Have you tried out all of those stitches? I have the 14T957DC, the older model. I think the major difference is that yours has auto tension??? Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
|
From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-27-2006, 07:03 PM (14 of 19)
| About using binders for the coverhems..I don't use them. Elna does have a binder but I am more interested in the little plastic see through belt loop foot for the 744 and 945 models. It uses the wide or triple coverhem and automatically folds under bias strip edges for belt loops, deco accents, button loops, narrow straps etc. Pfaff might offer the same foot. Both the Pfaff and Elna sergers are made in Japan and are much the same in design. I use Pfaff coverlock feet on my Elna 744 serger that are identical to the Elna feet with the same marks on the metal. The 3 heavy metal feet are called the Pfaff Overlock Kit..I highly recommend this kit. The feet are multi functional. I could use these feet on my Pfaff 4842 except for one, probably because these feet were designed for coverhem models and my 4842 was not a coverhem. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 01-27-2006, 11:16 PM (15 of 19)
|
Donna I haven't tried all of the stitches but the ones I have tried impressed me. I love the two thread overlock. I used it several times on sheer fabic as a rolled hem. I used some sparkly wooly nylon in the bottom looper and the same color thread in the needle as the fabric and it came out really nice. I used it on the edges of some pillows I made. I made a sleeve for a neckroll pillow and did the edges with this technique, I then took a rubber band and tied the sleeve at each end until I could serge some strips to use for ties. I was really surprised how nice it came out. I also made a scarf for my Granddaughters neck, she was in a 50's skit at school today. For that I took white sheer fabric and serged pink rayon embroidery thread in the upper looper and she wore one around her neck and one in her hair. She came in second place. She said the teachers were all telling her how nice her outfit was. I asked her if she told them her MawMaw made my outfit.  I also embroideried a "K" on her sweater. She looked cute if I may say so myself. 
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
|
User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118
|
From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-28-2006, 03:24 AM (16 of 19)
| Good going MawMaw..I bet your grand daughter was so proud. I do most of my sewing now for the grand kids. I love the stretch wrapped stitch on my serger and probably use it the most of the 16 stitch programs plus the 3 coverhems and chain. I probably use it more often because I have sewn so much fleece lately. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 01-28-2006, 09:43 AM (17 of 19)
|
Hi Susie, Have you tried out all of those stitches? I have the 14T957DC, the older model. I think the major difference is that yours has auto tension??? I have tried all the stitches and was satisfied with them all. Not that it would compare to the Elna 744 or Pfaff 4800 series but it is quite a machine for the price. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
|
User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 01-28-2006, 12:30 PM (18 of 19)
|
I have been looking for a new serger for sometime now and really couldn't afford a new one with some of the bells and whistles the more expensive ones do. I went to a sewing conference last year for Singer and bought my XL6000 but while I was there I watched a demostration of this Serger and fell in love with it but could't buy both the 6000 and the Serger so it went on my wish list. In the meantime I shopped around looking at all the features of the other machines and I couldn't find any with the features this one has for anywhere near the price. I agree the Babylock sergers have the nice air threading but I don't have a problem threading my serger manually so paying over 1000.00 for a serger just so it will do that seemed to me a little too much. I got this one for 599.00 no tax because when I purchased it Louisiana had a tax free weekend that weekend to help Katrina victims so I saved around 51.00 in tax. I'm happy. A friend of mine who lost all her machine in Katrina bought the Singer serger and she is not replacing her sewing machine for now she claims the Singer will do just about all her sewing needs.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
|
User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118
|
From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-29-2006, 01:40 AM (19 of 19)
| MIL..it seems you got a very good deal on your serger. I think knowing we got a good serger at a good price helps us to enjoy using it more. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
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