Brother Serger

I would like to get my niece a serger for Christmas. Wal-Mart has one for under $250, model #929D. Anyone have any experience with sergers and what to look for in one?

Paula

Reply to
aluap
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Runnnnnnnnnnnnnnn away from this serger as fast as you can. Brother makes absolutely WONderful sewing machines and their sergers are -- well

-- terrible. Been there - spent big $$$$ -- took one full year to get a complete refund from the Brother International folks in Tennessee. (I should mention that my serger was replaced 5 times in that year and not one of the 5 worked correctly.) Another member of this NG has similar experience with Wal-Mart Brother serger (Sharon??)

You can get a bear bones New Home serger for less than $200 and they are true work horses.

Sun

Reply to
Sunshine Lady

I haven't heard anything good about brother sergers. I bought the simplicity frontier for under $250, and am content with it. It does what I need it to do. I would recommend getting some books on serging if she is new to it. The manual and video teach the bare basics, and not very well. I can recommend some books, if interested.

The only materials I have had problems with so far was a very thick Malden mills shearling polar fleece, and with a very stretchy lace. With the fleece it was the incredible thickness of the two layers of shearling, with the lace I think the problem is the stretchiness and delicacy of the fabric. I'm still kind of new to serging, so I have problems with the fancy fabrics, though I am doing fine using it woven cotton , denim, brocade, and some heavy satin. It just takes practice and patience to get the setting right for each new fabric, but once you know them and write them down, the next time will be easy.

Rebecca

Reply to
NYC-FMS

Sun,

Thanks for your reply. My niece has a Brother embroidery (PE-150) and I have a Brother embroidery/sewing machine (PC8500D), and we are very pleased with those. Just wasn't sure about the sergers. I haven't heard of the "New Home" serger, but I will look into it.

Paula

Another member of this NG

true work horses.

Reply to
aluap

Rebecca,

Thanks for your reply. My niece will be new at serging, so I appreciate your info. We will probably share the machine, and I'm thinking I would hold off on the serger for now until we both can do some more research on them. I will look at the Simplicity Frontier.

Paula

Reply to
aluap

Paula,

I owned a Brother serger for 8 yrs and had nothing but trouble. I bought my at Walmardt also. It was hard to thread and very fussy about what kind of thread I used. If it didn't like the thread, it would break the thread as soon as I started sewing. I just bought a serger and this time I really did my homework. I bought a White superlock 2000 and I bought it from a sewing store. One that does repairs right there on the spot. I would suggest you find a one of these sewing stores and have them demonstrate the machine and find out what kind of warranty they give. I would strongly advise against Walmart, or any of the fabric stores. There is a good sewing forum you can get on to find out more info. If you would like the url I will be happy to give it to you.

I hope this helps. Good luck. LakeUrchin

Reply to
Lake Urchin

Hi LakeUrchin,

I do have a sewing store where I bought my Brother Pacesetter, and I've been very pleased with their customer care. I will check with them about the serger., although they are a Brother dealer. I'm not sure there are any sewing stores that sell White, but I will check around. I would like the URL to the sewing forum.

Thanks!

Paula (Northern Virginia)

Reply to
aluap

Hi again Paula,

The url for the sewing forum is:

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I just purchased a Brother PC-6000 and I love it already. Brother seems to make an excellent sewing machine but a lousy serger.

I hope to see you on the sewing forum.

Good luck on your serger quest. LakeUrchin

Reply to
Lake Urchin

Hi Lake,

Wow, what a neat site! Seems as though I already had that on my Favorites, but never really looked through it (I have a habit of saving things in my Favorites to read another day....). I've started reading the Serger thread and am really excited about all the info there!

Thanks,

Paula

Reply to
aluap

Seems as though I already had that on my Favorites,

And is there something wrong with that.......LOL

Dee in Oz. ( who does that all the time........)

Reply to
D&D

Hi Paula,

I am so glad you like it. I have surfed the web for other sewing sites and have found that one to be the best. If I can be of further help just let me know.

Have a nice day. LakeUrch>Hi Lake,

Reply to
Lake Urchin

Me again,

I just purchased a Brother PC6000 also and I love it. My Brother 8200/8500 embroidery machine can now be a dedicated embroidery machine!! No more taking the embroidery arm off to sew. AND ---- another coincidence --- I also purchased a White serger. I purchased the Brother 6000 from MrVacandMrsSew in New York ($499 + free ship) (BRAND NEW -- not used or a 'seminar' machine) And I purchased my serger from a dealer in New Jersey. I needed a back-up serger so my old New Home will now be the back-up and my new White will be the "primary" serger.

ALUAP ---- What ever you do - do not let the Brother dealer talk you into getting a Brother serger. Even the ones that come from dealers are problematic. I could tell you sooooooooooooo much about Brother sergers - but that would take me weeks to type it all out. uhhhhhhhhhh - you don't want to know - trust me on that.

They do make some WONDERFUL embroidery and sewing machines however.

Sun

Reply to
Sunshine Lady

Hi Sun,

I purchased my 6000 from Mr. Vac and Mrs. Sew also. They shipped fast and it was as you said a brand new machine. A really good price as everywhere I shopped wanted 700.00 bucks. I LOVE THIS MACHINE!!!!!!!

It is very user friendly and I have been having a really good time with it. It is just soooo nice to sit down and start to sew without having problems. I have retired my old Singer.

I also bought a White superlock 2000. And it is WONDERFUL. Also easy to thread, very user friendly.

Now, about that Brother serger. I made the mistake of buying one of those 8 yrs ago just because Brother has such a good reputation. But that serger was the absolute PITS. I can't say enough bad things about it!!!!!! At one point I was ready to use it as a boat anchor!!!!!! Brother makes wonderful sewing machines but Sergers, forget it.

I am in total agreement with Sun.

By the way Sun, keep in touch. You gave me some really good tips. LakeUrchin

embroidery machine can now be a dedicated embroidery

coincidence --- I also purchased a White serger. I

(BRAND NEW -- not used or a 'seminar' machine) And I

my old New Home will now be the back-up and my new

getting a Brother serger. Even the ones that come from

sergers - but that would take me weeks to type it all

Reply to
Lake Urchin

Hi Sun,

I do have the PC8500D which I love. I didn't realize when I bought it that removing the embroidery arm to sew was going to be somewhat annoying (although it is easy enough to do), or I would have bought a new sewing machine and separate embroidery machine (and probably saved money in the process!). Anyway, I just won a bid on a Singer Featherweight which I can use when I am doing embroidery/sewing for a quilt. I will definitely look into the White sergers, although so far I haven't found a dealer in my area. I will start my serious search with my niece after the New Year! You don't think buying a machine (serger) from distant dealer is a problem? We are not serger-smart, and I'm thinking I would like to get it from someone who gives a class.

Paula

8200/8500 embroidery machine can now be a dedicated embroidery

another coincidence --- I also purchased a White serger. I

ship) (BRAND NEW -- not used or a 'seminar' machine) And I

serger so my old New Home will now be the back-up and my new

getting a Brother serger. Even the ones that come from

Brother sergers - but that would take me weeks to type it all

Reply to
aluap

Hi Paula,

Since you've never used a serger I would recommend buying it locally if possible. That way if you need a little help you have a local person to go to.

I do find the White Superlock 2000 very user friendly and very easy to thread and use. Definately stay away from Brother sergers.

Good luck. LakeUrchin

Reply to
Lake Urchin

A local dealer is good but in your case Brother is your only choice (if I read correctly) Perhaps you could find someone to give you a few classes in using a serger. If there is a Viking/Husquvarna dealer in your area they might give a class on the White serger (Viking now owns White). There is also the possibility that the Brother dealer has a serger class that is "generic". Believe it or not but the Brother dealer in my town did not have a class on the Brother sergers he sold - he only offered generic classes which anyone who had any type serger could take. Of course I did not buy from him because his price was too high. I took my serger class at my local JoAnn Fabric store. Look to your local fabric stores there may be classes there for learning sergers. Sun

Reply to
Sunshine Lady

Your local Fabric stores are good for classes, but they are pricey on their sewing machines. JoAnn Fabrics wanted $200.00 more for the White Serger than my small local sewing shop.

So beware, and shop around.

LakeUrchin

there is a Viking/Husquvarna dealer in your area

also the possibility that the Brother dealer has a

town did not have a class on the Brother sergers he

could take. Of course I did not buy from him because

Look to your local fabric stores there may be

Reply to
Lake Urchin

Sun,

Actually, my Brother dealer is the only one I know right now. We haven't looked around for other SM dealers. I told my niece about Mr. Vac and Mrs. Sew, and she says she thinks there is one of those nearby in Manassas, VA, but I only see them on the Internet as having a store in New York, so she may be wrong about that.

One of my JoAnn stores has a section where they demonstrate and sell Viking/Husquvarna machines. I've seen ladies there that appear to be taking a class. I never paid much attention because I wasn't looking for that type of machine at the time. This section of the store is some kind of "independent" entity from JoAnn. I have to look closer into this after the holidays.

Thanks! Paula

read correctly)

serger. If there is a Viking/Husquvarna dealer in your area

There is also the possibility that the Brother dealer has a

in my town did not have a class on the Brother sergers he

serger could take. Of course I did not buy from him because

store. Look to your local fabric stores there may be

Reply to
aluap

Hmmm, this is good to know. Thanks!

Paula

read correctly)

serger. If there is a Viking/Husquvarna dealer in your area

There is also the possibility that the Brother dealer has a

in my town did not have a class on the Brother sergers he

serger could take. Of course I did not buy from him because

store. Look to your local fabric stores there may be

Reply to
aluap

OK it seems like you are in Virginia -- so am I. I am very close to Richmond. There is a Brother dealer here who is what we call a

50/50 -- 50% of folks really like the dealership and 50% hate it. In all honesty I have to say I have purchased from him - a used machine and I got an EXCELLENT price. The service and support however were awful. I now purchase all of my Brother products from MrVacandMrsSew in New York. And you are correct the dealership in New York is the ONLY one for this company. There may be others with similar names but the New York dealership with the ROCK BOTTOM prices and excellent customer service is their only branch. There is a JoAnn store (Williamsburg?? Norfolk??) that has Husk/Vik dealership inside the store.

I would just like to say this: IF you **really need** dealer support after the purchase I recommend purchasing from a local dealer. IF you do not mind paying for service/adjustments I highly recommend online purchases. I purchased the Brother PC6000 (known as the Ace or Super Ace in Europe) for $499 from MrVacandMrsSew in New York. NO ONE has it for less for a BRAND NEW NEVER USED machine. HOW??? They are such a SUPER HIGH volume dealer that Brother sells to them for MUCH less. I would have paid $700 - $800 dollars for this fully computerized machine everywhere else. For this kind of price I do not mind paying $35 - $45 dollars to my local Babylock dealer for incidental repairs. If the machine needs serious repair in the first year I will just be required to send it back to New York and MrVacMrsSew will fix it - free of charge under the warranty.

I just can not justify paying twice as much for a machine to get dealership support. I know dealers have to make a living but so do I and I can not afford to pay what my local dealers charge for machines.

I just purchased a White2000ATS serger online for just over $300 -- free shipping and I am VERY VERY pleased with it. This same serger cost twice as much in the local Husk/Viking dealership. My other serger is a NewHome (by Janome) 334D and I got that on eBay for $125 about a year or so ago. It works great but I need two sergers so I got the White.

I do have to say I am a tinkerer and I do try to fix minor repairs myself. I do not go so far that I cause more damage but when you are self employed you have to know how your machines work.

Sun

Reply to
Sunshine Lady

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