OT: Sergers

I don't have that model but I have a Mechanical New Home and I wouldn't sew clothing if I didn't have one. I would say if you do any clothing at all and the machine you are looking at is priced right, (low), then take the plunge, assuming it is in good shape and, comes with some kind of guaranty for 60-90 days. You don't need the newer featured models to sew great clothing. unless you have more money to spend. They are nice but as with a lot of things, not essential.

John

I replaces a 16 yo serger this last year with a new one. They have gotten a lot less expensive and are easier to use than ever.

I am not familiar with White brand but what are the differences in the new and old model? WHat kind of sewing do you do? If you do much clothing construction or home dec a serger will really make you work look better and they are fast. If quilting is the only sewing you do you might not get a lot of use from a serger. Taria

Barbara L Sherrill wrote:

As has been said, if you do any clothing construction at all, you will love ANY serger as long as it works! I had always wanted one but never liked the price tag so I never bought one. My parents bought me one about 8 yrs ago for christmas and as John said, I wouldn't bother making clothes without one, I like the clothes I make to look professional and without a serger you just can't make them so that they don't look homemade.

Now that I have one, I would definitely pay the money to replace it if need be, and I don't even make that much clothing.

...and, if I may add, as long as you can tread it! LOL :)

-Irene

Which is why I traded off my Husqvarna serger for a Baby Lock Wave - it is SO EASY to thread. Push the lever and poof - it's threaded!

Donna in (SW) Idaho

When I got my Babylock, I threaded it at least 100 times in the first weekend after I got it! It was such a breeze. I don't think I threaded my mechanical serger more than a dozen times in the 20 years I had it without having to pull the threads through.

L>Which is why I traded off my Husqvarna serger for a Baby Lock Wave - it is

Linda PATCHogue, NY

Got any more dealers to try? And do try the machines extensively before making a final selection -- I suggest even taking the machine as far apart as you would for routine cleaning, needle changes, knife changes using just the manual if the dealer will permit (pick a s l o w day for sales!)

I urge serger newbies to buy the dealer first, and then the serger... there's a steep enough learning curve a the beginning that a good dealer makes more of a difference than the machine in many cases. I'm also generally not one to buy the first of a new model anything... I prefer 'em after they get the kinks worked out.

That said, you can indeed buy a serger out of a box and learn to use it on your own if you're unhappy with the selection offered.

I did a quick search of patternreview.com and didn't find the White 2500, but I've heard good things about the 2000 ATS model asgood value for the price. Me, myself and I, I tend to prefer Juki.

Kay

Definitely go to

and check out their reviews!! That's how I narrowed my search down from about 6 to the final 3. Then I re-read the reviews and checked out the websites from the manufacturer's and gave it a bit of time to simmer. I ended up with a Brother machine that I love to pieces. I'm still experimenting with the different things that it can do, but this was definitely the machine for me.

Larisa