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From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 07-22-2006, 07:48 AM (1 of 16)
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Wow, reading all the threads, I see I have a lot of learning to do before I jump in and use my serger. As we speak my serger is in the air to arrive soon, I bought a barely used serger (great buy) to see if I like using one, before buying a new one. I'm going to give this a try for garments, since my other machine is set up for quilting all the time. I've heard from so many that garments are so much faster to put together on a Serger. I have never used one, threaded one, etc. This should be good (LOL) - you know I'll be back for help! The thread on the winding multiple spools from one was interesting - as I will be layed up for 4 weeks starting next week, not able to drive, I best go out and stock up now! You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 07-22-2006, 09:25 AM (2 of 16)
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You'll love it. You didn't say which serger you got. Some of the older ones were not so easy to use but even they make life so much easier after you learn to use it. By the time you're back on your feet you will probably be wondering how you ever lived without it.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 07-23-2006, 08:17 AM (3 of 16)
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It's a White Speedylock 1500. LOL. I haven't seen it yet, but I got through someone on the forum who has used it (was her friends). It's brand new, used two or three times, and is in perfect condition. I paid under the going ebay rate for it. I have NO IDEA what I am getting into yet - but I am sure I will have fun finding out! Best of all - I have all of you 
You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257
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From: DorothyL
Date: 07-23-2006, 08:39 AM (4 of 16)
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I hope this doesn't discourage you but I bought a White Speedylock -- not sure of the number -- and am giving it away it is such a piece of junk! If the people I'm giving it to don't want it I'm throwing it away when I move! It was one of the cheap ones from Hancocks and there was no support, and I don't feel charging $75 just to look at it is honoring the warranty. I hope you have a better experience. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MariLynntex
Date: 07-23-2006, 03:34 PM (5 of 16)
| I have a Pfaff Hobbylock 774. I have had it for absolutely years, since about 1994, I think, and I use it still, never had any trouble with it. I hate threading any serger, but I never do---I just cut the thread, put on a new spool, and pull it through very carefully, after tying the old and the new one together.It just does what you want a serger for, and I am quite satisfied with it! MariLynntex |
User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006 Total posts: 107 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 07-23-2006, 05:42 PM (6 of 16)
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I have a White Speedylock 234D and once I figured out that the manual was wrong in threading it I got along with it just fine. It runs like a champ and has since I bought it 6 years ago. If you get the video with it make sure you watch it, it is very helpful. I make all the t-shirts I make on it strictly. On wovens I basically just finish the seams and use my sewing machine for the seams. Just my preferance. I try to stick with the Maxi lock thread instead of the cheaper Walmart off brand threads also. It seems to sew better with it. Enjoy you new serger.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 07-24-2006, 06:40 AM (7 of 16)
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Well, I plan to use this one as a test before I buy more expensive one. We'll see how it goes. A very expereinced sewer has used this Serger, and other than the speed (she is used to industrial machines, I am not) she said it was a great learning machine and ran very well. I am not selling anything I make, so if it is a low end machine, it is ok with me. I am making play clothes for my kids. The Lord leads us all kinds of places, for all kinds of reasons. This is just another step in the many I will take in my journey. Blessings everyone. I will be back for advice, I have no clue how to thread one of these baby's, so you'll hear from me again. LOL! Tom - I can feel that you are holding back on your comments - lol - feel free to post away with your thoughts - I'd rather know what I am up against before hand 
You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257
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From: Tom Land
Date: 07-24-2006, 12:27 PM (8 of 16)
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My only reservation about that model is that it doesn't handle as well or run as smoothly as most sergers. It will do a pretty good job on most fabrics but you might have a little trouble on heavier ones. Your friend is right that it is probably a good machine to learn on.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 07-25-2006, 08:25 AM (9 of 16)
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My intention for using this machine to learn. I'd like to try using lightweight knit fabrics, I've heard they handle better on a serger than a standard sewing machine. Any heavy fabric I would use my standard machine for, it has the overlock and serge features on it and does well with that. I took one look at the serger (contraption, lol) my, my does it look strange! I have plenty of time of to figure it out. I am sure that until I actually go use one of the better Sergers, I'll have no idea what I'm missing. But by then - I'll be ready to buy a new one.
You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257
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From: Mom of Six
Date: 07-25-2006, 08:33 AM (10 of 16)
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A word of advise. Keep away from pins!!!! I had a white & thought I had removed all pins. I missed 1. It would have cost me more to repair than what I paid for it. It was a great machine until then. I got a new Janome. Paid more but it does run smoother most of the time. But if something needs pinning (ei. lots of gathers) I baste it on my regular machine then serge.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 07-25-2006, 08:47 AM (11 of 16)
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It didn't take a pin to take mine out, just denim Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 07-26-2006, 06:01 PM (12 of 16)
| I love my Elna 744 serger with it's nice features and auto tensions and 3 coverhems but I have to say that I don't think it could have done any better job than a New Home Janome model that I only paid $199 for new when I serged lined plastic coated canvas for my daughters pool furninture. Sergers are amazing little beasts. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: grandma C
Date: 04-21-2007, 01:14 PM (13 of 16)
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I have a white speedylock 1500 and It is a bear to get to sew correctly. The speed serging is supposed to give a seamstress in constructing a garment is eaten uop with adjusting to get a decent stitch. I spend hours struggling with mine to make it give me an acceptable stitch, and am ready to chunk it but can't afford another one at this time. When I finaly get the stitch regulated then I love it. I will buy another serger when I can. They are shuch fun when they work. Belinda Hope mine is just a lemon and yours will work like a gem!! |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: pretnichols
Date: 04-21-2007, 01:40 PM (14 of 16)
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Hey Butterflyr71 -- welcome back! Haven't seen posts from you since your surgery last year! Glad to know you are back on the boards. Good luck with your serger!
Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: grandma C
Date: 04-22-2007, 12:37 PM (15 of 16)
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Butterfly, I have been using my serger for a project since my last post and just wanted to say with a #14 Organ brand needle in each slot it handled denem pretty good with a little help from my hand on the hand wheel and sewing slowly (once I got the tensions adjusted properly). Is the video for threading comming with your machine. I could copy mine and send it to you either on dvd or vhs tape. Like I said when it works it works great. A few tips; use your long tweesers to thread the loopers with, be careful that the lower looper thread does not cross over the upper looper thread, make sure when you put the thread through the tension discs that it catches in the littler hook thing that holds it in (I have to lean up and look down into the disk a little to see that I am getting the thread cought in it, make sure your thread support is extended fully, Make sure you feed your thread through the little hole in the first thread guide, and loop it around one time on the little arm of the arm of that same thread guide. If the stitches do not form, it is probably one of these things that aren't correct. I have messed up with one or more many times and struggled with the tensions many hours and finaly found the offending error to be in my threading. It is probably a decent machine but difficult for me to troubleshoot. I bought my needles at Allbrands.com I can copy my manuel for you if needed. Belinda May the Lord bless your efforts! |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: grandma C
Date: 04-22-2007, 05:30 PM (16 of 16)
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Oops, you also need needlenose pliers, and a Xacto knife is good to have for thread jams, long curved nose tweezers, and organ brand home sewing needles 11 and 14 sizes. You can make about ten garments of light to med. weight fabric with a set of two needles. |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
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