Anyone own a serger?

**Michelle** · 02-17-2003, 05:39 PM

If so, what kind do you have, and what do you make with it?

**SewCrafty** · 02-17-2003, 05:54 PM

I have 2 of them. A Brother Homelock 834DP (my favorite one) and a White Speedylock. I prefer the Brother machine, it is much easier to control than the White. The White goes so fast no matter how little you press on the foot control. Both are 4 thread, with differential feed.

I make just about everything on them. Certain things I sew on my regular machine first and then finish the seams on the serger.

**homesteadmamma** · 02-17-2003, 06:19 PM

I don't have one, but sure would like to get one in the future. My mom has mentioned a couple of times about a serger, so she may buy me one yet.

**Michelle** · 02-17-2003, 08:15 PM

Diana, what do you make on the serger vs. a regular machine?

**SewCrafty** · 02-18-2003, 08:40 AM

Mainly clothing, it is fantastic when you are working with knit type fabrics. Much better than a regular machine. When making T-shirts, sweats, leggings, lingerie etc. I do almost all the sewing on the serger. The only thing I don't do is, sew down elastic. I do stitch it on with the serger, but then fold it down and sew on with a regular machine. I do not insert elastic through a casing anymore since getting my serger. It stays in place so much better this way. I can put on ribbing (necklines, cuffs and bottom banding), seams, hemming etc. I can make a T-shirt, sweat shirt, leggings etc in about 30 minutes on my serger. I have so many clothes I have made, I don't have enough room!!

You still need a regular machine for buttonholes, top stitching, placing pockets on or for certain areas of making a jacket. But somewhere on the net I found a site that has a new way of putting a zipper on with a serger. I can't remember the site, but when I find it again I have to bookmark it!

With home decor stuff (placemats, table cloths, napkins, curtains, drapes etc. ) I sew alot with the serger, other things like top stitching and putting on seam binding or bias tape (I make my own) you need a regular machine. On napkins and table cloths there is an attachment (usually comes with the serger) to do rolled hems, gives a great professional finish.

Are you thinking of getting one Chelle?

If so, like CJ has said about regular machines, buy the best you can afford and you will not only love it, but it will last for years and years. They are buggers to thread, mine came with a video and they do come pre-threaded, but stubborn me decided if I can't thread it on my own it would be useless to me. So first thing I did without reading anything was rip the thread out of the machine and following the instructions threaded it myself. Took me about an hour and a half to figure it out, but was well worth the effort. There is a definate order in which to thread it or it won't work at all.

**Michelle** · 02-18-2003, 08:48 AM

Thanks for the detailed reply

I did buy one yesterday from Ebay...now I had planned to do clothing on it, and I know several people from another site that also own the same one, so I'm hoping if I have any trouble they can help me through it.

Thanks again!

**SewCrafty** · 02-18-2003, 09:00 AM

Your welcome!

You're going to love it!!

**mylittle4** · 03-07-2003, 02:03 PM

I just got a serger too! I am having loads of fun with it, but have only tried the basic overlock stitch. It is a 3-4 thread with differential feed. A Brother 1034D. It cam with a video, but my VCR is not working so I am trying to figure this out on my own. I can thread it. Anybody know of a good website?