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From: tattooed vixen
Date: 03-29-2006, 10:21 PM (1 of 11)
Hi I have been sewing for about 20 years or so, I remember making my 1st jean shirt out of an old pair of jeans when I was like 5! But anyways this May, cinco de Mayo to be exact, I will be turning 24 yrs old, and my mom has agreed to buy me a new machine. My first thought was serger for sure, I've wanted one ever since I got the chance to use the industrial ones in Theatre Costume Design in college. I have been using my trusty Singer 5 stitch very very basic machine for about 8 yrs now, and I love it....But after recenty viewing a sewing show on HSN I decided maybe it was time to upgrade. I was never a fan of computerized machines, but after seeing how much time they really can save, I was a believer. So now I don't know which to choose?? If I could I would get both, but that is very unlikely...so my question to all you out there is this: If given the opportunity to get a new computerized machine or a serger of your choice, which would you get? And any tips on which ones are best, as I have no idea since I've only ever owned Singer? I don't quilt, embroider, and anything like that, I mostly do garment construction, corsets, costuming etc etc. So I'm just really not sure which machine would be the best for me. If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly apprecaite it. Thanks Anastasia Beaverhousen
"Anastasia like that of Russian Royalty...and Beaverhousen like where the beaver live!!" |
User: tattooed vixen
Member since: 01-27-2006 Total posts: 6 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 03-29-2006, 10:52 PM (2 of 11)
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Well theres as many answers as there are people in here.... I bought a serger just knowing I was gonna use the heck out of it. (turning down the quilt machine I was looking at, at the same time.) It now sets in the closet most of the time....I went ahead and bought the quilt machine on a deal...quilt machine and embroidery machine 1/2 price... I quilt and embroider the most...but I LOVE the serger for clothes and pillow cases... (maybe you can find a deal, with a dealer for a serger and a sewing machine. I know Viking or Pfaff had a deal like that last year.....sometimes a dealer will just make a deal with you to get stuff off the floor...demo models in machines are like cars...use it and it depreciates.) I have 2 sewing/embroidery machines, a quilt machine, the serger and the embroidery only... It's all in what you NEED and want...TEST DRIVE all the machines you can. Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: toastydeath
Date: 03-29-2006, 11:04 PM (3 of 11)
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I like the speed of the industrial sergers myself, and got one. But now, I find though I use it at every given oppertunity (even when i shouldn't), I find my home mechanical sewing machine uninteresting and difficult to use. So i'll be going back soon and getting myself an industrial straight stitch walking foot machine. If you already use your singer 5 thread frequently, your serging can only increase as you get a more functional machine. On the other hand, if you don't do quite as much serging as you could, it doesn't make sense to upgrade the machine you don't prefer. |
User: toastydeath
Member since: 03-11-2006 Total posts: 13 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-30-2006, 07:06 AM (4 of 11)
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I like the serger and I do use it but for me it is a utility vehicle. I would get a serger but I would not spend just a whole lot on it. I know that people brag about their expensive sergers, but often you only have to thread one once in a blue moon because you can pull the thread through (just tie the thread on and pull). You do need one that allows you to get to the loopers easily for threading though (makes a world of difference). I would encourage you to purchase from a dealer that can give you basic lessons on usage. (Basic lessons will do it.) Dealers will continue the warranty on their demo machines and often they will extend one on a used machine. Then I'd spend my money on a nice machine. Since the computerized thing is a given on most machines, that goes without saying, but I'd shop for the one that fits my needs the best and add the serger when I can. 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: Tom Land
Date: 03-30-2006, 10:52 AM (5 of 11)
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Anastasia, it really depends on the type of sewing you do as to which would best suit your needs. Of course both wouth be nice. Go to your local dealer and get a full demo on them. Then decide which you need most at this point. Make sure you buy from a dealer that offers lots of training. Either way you go you have alot to learn coming from a 5 stitch machine. Do not be taken in by HSN, internet, Walmart, etc. The machines are not the same quality that you will find at your dealer and you will have no one to turn to for help. You will hear people say they got a good deal at one of these places but they don't know how good a machine could handle. Do not be taken in by "it is made by ....". Machines made by the same company does not mean "same quality" for instance... Janome, Kenmore, & Husky(Viking) are not the same machine eventhough all made by the same company. The most important thing is to make sure that you have a dealer that will stand behind the machine and be there for you. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: tattooed vixen
Date: 03-31-2006, 12:26 PM (6 of 11)
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Thanks for all of your suggestions. So no one would recommend buying either a sewing machine or serger off HSN or QVC? And when you mention dealer to buy from, like a fabric store, because I don't know of any sewing machine shops around here, what would I look under like in yellowpages? Thanks again for all your help! 
Anastasia Beaverhousen
"Anastasia like that of Russian Royalty...and Beaverhousen like where the beaver live!!" |
User: tattooed vixen
Member since: 01-27-2006 Total posts: 6 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-31-2006, 03:22 PM (7 of 11)
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In the Yellow pages under Sewing Machine I would think. You might also check Vaccum Cleaner shops. Unfortunately many Sewing machine shops are also vac shops. If you can find a dealer you are much better off. A good dealer will show you how to use your machine (no matter if it is new or used) and they will have serviced it. If you buy it new they should service it before take it home, just test and make sure that everything is working properly. If they don't offer, insist. THe quality of machines you buy at Wal Mart and places like that are not the same as that of what you buy at a dealer. However, if you should purchase a Brother at Wal Mart you may be able to find a dealer who will service it. Often Brother will honor warrenties on their machines purchased at big box stores with local dealers, IF the dealer wants to do the service. 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: Kylnne2
Date: 03-31-2006, 04:36 PM (8 of 11)
| If you have no dealer close to you how about a Sears store? Sears machines do vary in features and price. They also sell sergers and both Kenmore machines and sergers are Janome made and offer more features for the price than most. There might be some argument by buying from Sears because of no dealer support but they have a good warranty on their machines plus most of the Kenmore machines and sergers come with an instructional video. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 04-01-2006, 02:40 PM (9 of 11)
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I have a machine that I love.. I have a serger that I love just as much.. But I would never tell anyone to choose a serger only.. I make mostly garments.. Most are for my 3 grands.. So, I do use the serger for a lot of their garments.. But, since one is a girl, I also use a lot of the special stitches my machine will do for decorative effects on her clothing.. (and mine also).. Now that both the boys are teens, I mostly make them t-shirts , boxers, and pj pants.. I use the serger on them completely except for the hems.. My serger is older than dirt so it is plain.. serging and rolled hem is all it will do.. I recently bought a coverhem machine only, becaause it was cheaper for me than getting a serger with coverhem included.. But, if I had neither, I would get a serger that included coverhem (for garmentmaking).. But this only helps with mostly knits.. You still need a good sewing machine for garment making in general.. So, # 1 is good sewing machine.. Then # 2 good serger that will do coverstitch. (serger does not need a lot of other bells and whistles in my opinion..) Your machine would have all of that ..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: bluebirdie
Date: 04-01-2006, 05:19 PM (10 of 11)
Hi! Just bought an old serger three days ago so not sure if my openion counts  When sewing with sewing machine, I was never very happy with anything knit, sheer, rolled edges, and was always spending a lot of time on seams to make them look ok or to make them last. These are very basic and nothing fancy. But I just could not do them well enough or fast enough. Finally decided to get a serger was lucky enough to get an old serger that does some basics really well. In three days, I've tried to the things I couldn't do well before, and can now. I wanted a serger instead of a fancy sewing machine becasue I need to get the basics down before going for fancy. But you are way ahead in sewing than me. You may have totally different needs. Tom is right. You may want to think about what you'd like to gain most from this new machine and let that make the decision. - Robin
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User: bluebirdie
Member since: 03-12-2006 Total posts: 139 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 04-02-2006, 06:07 AM (11 of 11)
| Vixen, if you are sewing corsets and costumes a serger would save you so much time and one with coverhem or a coverhem only machine would also help you in the type of sewing you do. I love my serger/coverhem but some prefer to have a separate machine for coverhem. If you are used to an industrial serger..you might wish to have an industrial machine and serger. A nice sewing machine is also necessary so I understand how hard of a decision this is for you. You might want to check out PatternReview on line where owners give their reviews on their machines and sergers. I think test driving different models of your choice is also important when purchasing. I hope you are pleased with your birthday present..Happy Birthday. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
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