Serger Advice

I have one and if I had to do it again, I'd buy something else. I don't believe that sergers should be this much of a PITA to use.

Mike

There is a sewing machine dealer not too far from my house that I will check for a used serger. I just have a slight problem in that I am not sure of all the uses for a serger. The thing I am really wanting one for is rolled hems and having nicely finished edges on knit clothing and lingerie. What else should I be looking for? What else is a serger used for (that is superior to using a sewing machine)? what is a serger indespensible for and what do you find yourself using it for most often. Forgive me for all the questions but I had never even heard of a serger until I started reading this newsgroup and at that point I had been sewing for at least 4 years.

Thanks!

Cynthia

Cynthia,

You'll get some excellent answers from the professional sewers in the group, and they're sure to give you good advice about what to look for. Here's my two cents.

A serger is not superior to a sewing machine. It's designed for an entirely different purpose, so it's more of a companion machine to your sewing machine. A serger is all about edges and edge finishes. You can only sew edges on a serger - the serger cuts away the seam allowance as it sews, using knives. On many sergers you can remove or disengage knives, so that it doesn't cut...but it still can only sew on the edge of the material. =20

Here's a site about sergers:

I have a 13+ year old Baby Lock serger, which is a real workhorse. It was wonderfully cared for and I got it for only $50. It was over $1000 when new and it was built like a tank. I use it mostly for seam finishing, to produce a nice clean edge on projects such as dresses, skirts, etc. Serging a hemline also helps reduce bulk since after serging you don't have to turn the edge over when hemming up the piece. I also have a rolled hem foot for it, but haven't used it yet.

You might c>There is a sewing machine dealer not too far from my house that I will = check

Re: Serger Advice

11:06am (EDT+4) From: snipped-for-privacy@twcny.rr.com

Wow! You sure do lots with yours! I haven't even begun to use mine to it's full potential. I've had it about two years, from my sister, who purchased it new. She was a professional seamstress with a theatre company for several years, and this is the machine the company bought for her. Up until recently I haven't had much time for sewing with working full time, with a family, a house, and going to college part time. But I recently graduated (got my BA at 49!!) I am doing lots more sewing. Last year it helped me make dresses, skirts, a few vests and doll clothes for gifts last year. The serger put such a professional finish on everything. I stuck with safe stuff like cotton, flannel and some cotton blend fabrics, since I didn't have much experience with it but now I really want to venture out into knits and the other types of fabrics and techniques you mention.

Mine has a 'differential feed' which is a feature I don't quite understand fully and haven't tried yet. I do have the manual for it, all the papers, original bill of sale and even the video that came with it. =20

Those five thread sergers sound impressive! The newer ones look so much easier to thread than the BabyLock, which gave me a panic attack the first time a thread broke and I had to manually thread it. EEK!! I almost gave up on the thing--it was pretty confusing for a newbie. But that part is down-pat now, so it's no big deal. =20