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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: savysheri
Date: 02-15-2006, 05:10 PM (1 of 11)
I have been doing research to buy a new serger; my first one. I think I have narrowed it down to a Huskylock 905/910/936 or a Babylock Imagine. Could someone out there give me some reviews and opinions of which they think would be a better buy for the money and for the serger? I am definitely a NEWBIE serger person!!

Thanks,
Sheri
User: savysheri
Member since: 02-15-2006
Total posts: 1
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-15-2006, 05:16 PM (2 of 11)
I don't know about the machines you mentioned but if you are new be sure you have dealer support and a lesson or two on how to work the machine or you might as well toss the money in the trash.
I learned the hard way.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: esrun3
Date: 02-15-2006, 05:24 PM (3 of 11)
I have the huskylock 910 and really like it. Easy to use, the book is good but I really enjoyed the lessons offered by the dealer inside my super Joann's.

I would suggest trying them out at a dealers and see which one you like best. Be sure to get one from a dealer though so you have a source for answers to your questions and even some free classes which really helped me as this is the first serger I've ever owned too. I figured I'd go middle of the road, don't plan on buying another one probably so wanted something that would last and work for me over the next many years.
Lyn
User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004
Total posts: 2345
From: debsews
Date: 02-15-2006, 05:56 PM (4 of 11)
I have the 936 and love it. I had narrowed my choices to the 910 or 936 and then there was a sale and the price difference wasn't so much and I decided to go for the 936. Love it. Haven't mastered all it can do yet but it's definitely a wonderful machine. Don't know anything about the Babylock but have heard others say it's good also. Go with the best dealer, best ongoing support and test drive each of them. If it comes down to a choice between the 910 and 936 I would go with the 936 to get the coverstitch and a couple of other things. Of course check out to see if you can trade up and what amount of time you have to do that with full value for your machine. I happen to love Vikings and the Viking dealers are the best.
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005
Total posts: 254
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-15-2006, 06:46 PM (5 of 11)
Not all Viking dealers are the best. At one of the Joanns here there is a Viking/White dealer that caused me to dump a machine. They wanted $75 just for me to bring the machine -- still under warranty -- in for a repair. Then I would not talk to the repair guy. He would pick it up, fix it, charge me for the repair in addition to the $75. I didn't buy from that dealer but that is where White sent me.
I tossed the machine (well, it's sitting under the Pfaff I got and love). Because of that I would never buy White or Viking again.
I know all the dealers are not like that but if the company puts up with even one I don't need them.
The women where I bought the Pfaff (I got my sewing machine there too a few years ago) are great. Another nearby Pfaff dealer has the same great reputation too.
My point is get the machine from a good dealer. I really think the brand is less important than the dealer and the support they give -- especially with a serger which can be intimidating.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: Tom Land
Date: 02-15-2006, 07:40 PM (6 of 11)
All four are well built machines. Make sure you get a full demonstration of the Imagine. Don't let them just show you the basic easy stitches. Ask to see how to do a flat lock. Ask to to see the rolled hem and then compare it to the others. I think your search will be narrowed pretty quickly. Of the Vikings its just a matter of which better suits your needs and budget.
But like others have already said. Your better off with a lesser machine than the best one and no dealer support.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005
Total posts: 514
From: debsews
Date: 02-15-2006, 08:18 PM (7 of 11)
You're right Dorothy, I should have clarified that by saying that the Viking dealers I have had have been the best! I'm sure there are exceptions to every thing and i'm sorry you had one. I do agree with you that the dealer is the probably the most important part of this transaction.
Good luck with your new machine.
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005
Total posts: 254
From: shebear
Date: 02-16-2006, 01:06 AM (8 of 11)
I'm on my second serger. Had there been 5 thread sergers when I bought mine I would have gone that way.

Now I know people will say that the coverlock and chain aren't necessary but there are times that they are just the stitch.....and you'll have them.

Make sure you take any classes. I'd suggest 3 2-3 hour courses instead of one long one. That way you get to practice and play and develope questions. Also get them to show you the extra feet. I just finished my classes for my new serger and I'm jeeped. Saw lots of feet in action and got to play with a few. I also suggest looking for serger books in your library.

Oh and one more thing......practice threading your machine so that it's reflex. Don't rely on tying on. It's a toss up as to which is the most likely reason for bad stitches...incorrectly threaded serger or bad needles.

Good luck and happy sergering.
User: shebear
Member since: 01-30-2006
Total posts: 7
From: wghmch
Date: 02-16-2006, 12:37 PM (9 of 11)
I was a Viking dealer for about 35 years, and know a great deal about how much Viking/White/Pfaff cares about their dealers giving great customer service.

Buy the Babylock.

Bill Holman
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003
Total posts: 249
From: sewingcybermom
Date: 02-21-2006, 12:45 AM (10 of 11)
Ok, I work on sergers every day of my life. For most their sergers compliment their straight machines, but in my work, it is the opposite. My sergers are my main machines, because 99 percent of my work is lycra. I own two Bernina's and wouldn't trade them for the world. I HAD a Huskylock 936, and if I had a boat I would have used it for an anchor...that's how much I hated it!! Changing over from a general stitch to the coverstitch was a pain and it was very fussy when you did. Never stitched properly. I took it back to my dealer and got a Bernina instead, along with a seperate cover stitch machine. I have a babylock blind hemmer and love it also. Over all I have a bernina 930, 950, a deco 600, two 1100DA's and a 009DCC coverstitch.
If your choices are only the Babylock or the Husky
BY THE BABYLOCK!

See some of my work here:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/<email address removed for privacy>/album?.dir=1172&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos
See some of my work here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ce%20costumes/
User: sewingcybermom
Member since: 01-18-2006
Total posts: 58
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 02-21-2006, 02:51 AM (11 of 11)
Beautiful work those costumes are georgeous.

I just bought my second serger and love my Singer. It's a five thread with coverlock and chain stitch. It's easy to set up between stitchers and the cost of the machine was what sold me besides the Singer name. I'm happy with what I got.
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
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