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From: Kdruan
Date: 03-17-2006, 11:30 PM (1 of 7)
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Hi Guys, I have a birthday coming soon and I'm planning on asking for a serger but I'm not sure which one to get. I know the great things a serger can do and would love a choice of using that or my machine sometimes for different projects. Right now my machine is a Bernina 150. Is it best that I stick with another Bernina product? The place where I bought my machine is no longer selling machines and is only selling fabric now so I can't go there for advice. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks, Kathy |
User: Kdruan
Member since: 02-24-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-17-2006, 11:59 PM (2 of 7)
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Take it from someone that bought the wrong serger the first time....Find a dealer you can trust. If you have not used a serger before you will need the support a good dealer can give. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Melanie T
Date: 03-18-2006, 05:55 PM (3 of 7)
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Test drive, test drive. If you have a good dealer, then buy whatever he sells that has good support. A great serger is junk if you don't know how to use it. I love my Huskylock 905 from a local viking dealer. The classes and help made it worth the price. Stay away from Walmart (or chain store) specials. They are just frustrating dust collectors.
Melanie
4 little sewing machine mechanics (6, 4, 2, Born June 14) Ontario Canada |
User: Melanie T
Member since: 09-21-2004 Total posts: 155 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-19-2006, 05:13 PM (4 of 7)
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Bernina handles a good line of sergers but if you get one of theirs you need a good dealer to give you the required training. Training on a serger doesn't take nearly as long nor is it as complicated as a sewing machine. Their serger manuals are TERRIBLE. That is my take on the subject. The doll of sergers right now is the Baby Lock with air threading. However, I heard from someone who has a lot of experience with sergers that they don't just suck thread..... I don't know, because people are flocking to them in droves. I have heard that if something happens to that threading system you are pretty much out of luck with those sergers. So far it has been my experience that sergers are not hard to use/thread IF you know how. There are brands of sergers that have needles that swing up to be changed (would be nice if I ever changed the needles) but with the needle holder, changing is pretty easy any way. I don't like the ones that you have to use a wire to thread the loopers because I am always missplacing things. Most Bernies will let the looper swing down and that's all there is to that...really, threading a newer Bernie isn't hard. You can always use the tie-on method to change threads (tie one to the last) which is what I do...I believe in the less fuss the better, so MOST of the time, threading just isn't that big of a deal. However, if you don't have good access to the loopers, that is another story. Sooner or later you will have to thread the machine from a thread break. The key to threading is in the order you thread. The formula for stitch adjustment is not that difficult once you understand how the serger works. You should get that in training in really just a very short amount of time. There are a lot of options available on the machines. One of the things that I've really enjoyed on the 2000 is the two thread rolled hem...very tiny, beautiful for many things. You'll need to decide if you want a cover hem and how much adjustment you want with that. Some just do a two thread cover hem, always the same size, some do three thread and/or have multiple widths. Do you need a chain stitch. That's pretty cool because it gives you a factory looking finish with a four thread serge and a chain stitch. THere are sergers that have room for up to 8 different threads so there is a lot to consider. Also be sure and ask about who will service the machine. A lot of people sell them, but not every dealer will service every serger they sell. don't buy a Bernina 2500..it has been discontinued but not very many Bernina dealers will service it because it was so complicated..that is the only Bernina that I KNOW has had problems. I think that really your best bet is once again to test drive the dealer AND the machine. I think with a little training, you'll really enjoy your new toy! 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: Kdruan
Date: 03-20-2006, 10:44 AM (5 of 7)
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You ladies will never believe this! I took my sewing machine to be serviced on Saturday. You all remember me telling you how it wasn't working at first when I pulled it out of storage. Well I just haven't been happy with the bobbin stitch since then but I knew it was beyond my tinkering. So I called around to see where our bernina lady had went to when the other shop had closed down last year and it turn out they're only about a half hour away at another shop now so I took it in. Hubby had to take me since I'm still recovering from surgery though. Well, I got to see all the new sergers and I laid out all the hints to hubby and told him what I wanted. (he's not a patient shopper so I asked a few questions, pointed and started moving outta there). Next thing I know he says get it!!! I just about fainted on the floor right there  Both the saleslady and I were in shock he had to say it twice before she actually moved. So I actually ended up with the Bernina 800DL. Now the only bummer is that the classes don't start till may9th. Now she did thread the machine for me (I bought 4 things of thread and she threaded right there). But now I'm scared to death to screw it up. I did one little scrap of material yesterday and that was it. I want to play but don't know what's what yet. HElp....Kathy |
User: Kdruan
Member since: 02-24-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-20-2006, 11:18 AM (6 of 7)
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How cool is THAT! Congratulations!!!
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: DorothyL
Date: 03-20-2006, 12:37 PM (7 of 7)
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I couldn't wait myself. I wouldn't even take mine home until I got a lesson. So I ended up training with someone who only knew generic serging and had to go back for the specifics of my machine. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
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