Sew…..a couple of my friends have been talking about sergers, and I think I have the bug. I just might ask Santa for one for Christmas, but I need some feedback from all you wonderful readers! One friend has one, and is intimidated by it, so really, has not used it much, or at all. My other friend thinks she wants one, but just like me, she does not know much about them. While researching, I have found that the Brother 1034D is a very popular model among those who are buying their first serger. It’s reasonably priced, and supposedly easy to thread, but what do you all do with it?
Tell me what you use your sergers for. What do you make? Is there any shortcuts to sewing that you do first with your serger? If you don’t make garments, is there any fun things to make or do with it? If you have one, do you like it, love it, or hate it? If you could do it again, would you buy one?
I have been surfing the internet trying to find blogs and websites that show people talking about, and using their sergers, and I really haven’t found any yet.
I HAVE decided that buying a new one, preset from the factory would be the best option, being new to this type of machine, because with a used one, I wouldn’t have to deal with someone else’s adjustments.
Please help me decide.
Update: I found some videos where Brother is demonstrating this very model of serger, so I am watching 7 different videos. HERE is video 1 of 7 if you would like to watch and learn. At the end each video, just look for the next number over on the right side and watch them all!
Be blessed,
Michelle
Michelle I don't have one so I can't say much. My neighbor has one and loves hers - a Janome I think. She makes kids clothes but she's not a quilter so other than that it's mostly things like napkins, pillow cases, etc. We use them at the mission extensively for making bags and baby layette items. But they're awful to thread and I think messy. Lots of fuzz to deal with when they cut the edges. We clean them daily (by we I mean whoever is running the sewing room)but they get so much use by so many people that they have to be serviced often. They have one at my local store that is sort of self threading. They say it's lots easier to use. I'd say find a store and try several. be sure you try to thread it before you buy it so you'll know what you're getting into. blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteI have a brother like the one you pictured. Have not used it a lot...but so far so good. As for the threading as long as you follow the directions not much of a problem. I really need to get myself in gear and do some practicing with it.
ReplyDeleteI bought a Janome serger last year I may have used it 4 times making grand kids PJs.For me it was a big waste of money ,I spend 15 minutes threading it to sew one seam ,actually most of us have a over lock stitch on our sewing machines .
ReplyDeleteI like how you began this entry "sew" too cute! Can't help you here, I know what a serger is, but that is about it. Hope you get the advice you are looking for and that the serger you want is under the Christmas tree this year!
ReplyDeletebetty
I thought about getting a serger but discovered my sister has one she never uses because she hates to thread it! I found a foot for my Brother sewing machine that has a cutting edge and you just use the overlock stitch which would be my bottom line reason for getting a serger so I think I will spend the $35 on a foot instead of buying a machine. Besides, I am really wanting to purchase a machine that does embroidery so that's the first one on my list!
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteMy serger is a White Superlock 2000 that I purchased new in March 1997 for $700 CAD. It uses up to four spools of thread, has a differential feed, a scrap catcher tray and a built in thread cutter. I love it and use it almost daily. It is very easy to thread. I usually tie on the new thread colour for threading the uppper and lower loopers. Then I manually thread the duel needles. Sergers are more finicky about correct order of threading than sewing machines. If threaded in the wrong order it will not serge.
I use it when sewing garments, dinner napkins, tablecloths, tea towels, flannel pj bottoms, nylon bags, cotton bags, Christmas stockings, Halloween costumes, curtains, drapes, place mats, hair towels, oven mitts and baby quilts.
It sews a wonderful rolled hems on fine fabrics like sheer curtains. I finish the seams on garments with it. When I make baby quilts I sew the pieces together, then overlock the seams. I top stitch the seams in place using a zig zag stitch on a sewing machine. I do this because baby quilts get washed frequently. For tea towels I serge the edges and then fold over once and hem. My serger gives my homemade table linens, garments etc. a very professional finish.
I have used other sergers but definitely prefer White Overlock to the other models for ease of use and threading.
I would buy this serger again in a heartbeat. My only regret is that I didn't buy it sooner.
Hope this helps you decide. Have a super duper day.
Michelle, I don't have one. Have thought off and on about getting one - like when I'm sewing on knit fabric. Two "friends" have sergers, but I don't know what brands. IF I can remember, I can call them tomorrow and ask about them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links. Seeing them used is better than trying to read about them.
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI must be honest. I just do not use mine very often, at all! so I purchased one from WalMart for about $250, I think...it was about 8 years ago, a Brother.
I have had a bottom of the line Janome for about 8 years now and used it all the time to make gym-wear for my daughters and their team-mates. I also made t-shirts, capris, biking shorts and dresses. It's still running like a champ even though I don't use it so steadily any longer.
ReplyDeleteHave a serger and love it. It was used and I'd probably recommend that for a first one. I use it to edge all my fabric for prewashing. I use it to finish edges in garments so I don't have to enclose all the edges. I just made a pair of lounging pants and all but the hems was made on the serger. Threading and tension are not for the faint of heart, but after a bit of practice, it all comes together. I use mine all the time. Lane
ReplyDeleteI have a Babylock Enlighten that threads itself (because the one I used to borrow was really annoying to thread.) It gets used for purses, alterations, clothes and doll clothes. Not having to thread it (and having the LED lighting up the platen) is amazing, and I highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteI have one and I like it. I haven't used it much the last few years, mostly when I do something I don't want to ravel or for giving new life to frayed towels. I need to get mine out now and do some towels and the tops of DH's socks. They are ones he loves, but they squeeze his calf's and cut off circulation. I think cutting off the tight part and surging them may be just the ticket.
ReplyDeleteI love my brother 1034d. I mainly use it to construct knit shirts, but I also use it to quickly finish edges (not just on garments, but yardage i am prewashing...saves the tangles) ive also used the rolled hem for bandanas.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog when I googled serger blogs. I have made a few quilts, and have just started learning to sew clothes. Wasn't convinced I needed a serger, so studied up on it, and decided to buy the Brother 1034d. I was at first afraid to thread it, but it is EASY!! I don't know what the fuss is all about threading. Just follow the instructions.
ReplyDeleteWe ordered it from Allbrands.com for $199. But today, Woot.com has a Signer sewing machine AND serger for $299.
Anyway, my husband ordered the 1034D from Allbrands on Tuesday this week, and it arrived Thursday morning! So I've got it out and played with it, but haven't had time to do much with it yet, but so far, so good. I think I'm going to like it. Good luck to you.
I found your blog when I googled serger blogs! LOL. I've made a few quilts and have recently started sewing clothes. Researched sergers, even looked at top of the line Babylocks and Berninas, but decided to go with the Brother 1034D. When I get better at clothes sewing and need more, I'll get one that can do cover stitch and chain stitch. For now, this is good.
ReplyDeleteMy husband ordered it from Allbrands.com on Tuesday and it arrived Thursday! So, I've only had it 2 days, so haven't done much with it yet. Like everyone else, I was nervous about threading it. But it is EASY to thread. I don't know what all the fuss is about with threading, just follow the instructions! LOL.
So far so good. I like it. Will have to play with it some more. Good luck to you on your search.
I borrowed lots of books from the library. A good one is Ready, Set, Serge by Georgie Melot.
Hello Michelle. I know this post was a couple of years ago. I'm wondering if you still use this Brother serger, and still liking it. I'm finally considering buying one and checking to see what I should get. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI do still like it. I don't use it alot, but when I need it, it is there, and easy to use. The price is right!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Glad to hear it's easy to use!
ReplyDelete