Do I want a serger? UPDATE!

[gem]

UPDATE IN POST #13

My birthday's coming up in a few weeks, and Milord is looking for ideas. I've been thinking about the Brother 1034D for a long time (Kate has me totally sold on this one, so I don't need suggestions for which one to get!), but I'm not really sure how much I'd use it. I don't really do a lot of mundane sewing, although I do have a couple of knit projects I'd like to try, but my regular machine is really nice and should do a decent job on those. One thing I know I'd like to do is the colored edging like Lady K just did on her King's Shirt--but it's not like I'm pumping out chemises every month, so a whole machine for that seems a little excessive. I need more reasons than that to justify the space and time a new gadget will take! LOL

Honestly, one of my main reasons for thinking I might want one is to get it before they stop making it or the brand goes downhill (which is what apparently happened to my sewing machine model after I got mine. )

One of my main reasons in the "Against" list is that I'm terrified of the knife! How often do projects get totally butchered by immoderate serging?  My local quilt shop (where I go to my sewing studio) offers a serger class, which I thought about taking BEFORE I bought one, but it's not offered for several more months.

So, good gentles of the sewing circle, present your cases! Talk me into or out of this--do I or do I not need/want a serger?

Gramercy!

[Sitara]

I LOVE my serger. Yes, when I first starting using it, I had a couple mistakes with the knife but you very quickly learn to be very careful and triple check that you have everything lined up and are not going to fast. I should look into a class or books to help me learn all the fancy stuff they can do that I know nothing about.

[Rani Zemirah]

Well, not having one, myself... I can tell you that I'm always very envious of all the gorgeous projects everyone turns out with theirs!  I think I would love to have one for projects other than clothing, as well, and quilting is one of the things I would like to explore. 

I'm sure that if I had one I likely would be whipping out chemises and skirts every month!!!    I could definitely use up more of my fabric stash faster that way! 

[Stasiakatt]

I've always heard to buy your machine THEN take a class on how to use one so that you are learning on your machine and that way you won't have to try to transfer what was learned to a machine that may operate differently.  As for the knife, you can usually turn it up so it's not cutting the fabric -- you will have to make sure that there is no fabric that is supposed to cut off -- so please don't let the knife scare you off.

[Kate XXXXXX]

I use mine for all sorts of things.  neatening edges and sewing stretch stuff and mundane clothing is only the start. 

The knife isn't any more scary than the needles, and you soon learn not to chop stuff!    As with any new thing: start slowly.  If James could learn to use a serger at 12 YO, you can!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I started using a Serger back in the early 80's for Mundane sewing as well as Alterations.

Having 2 sergers of my own, I cannot imagine sewing without one.

[CenturiesSewing]

I was gifted mine, it is a bit picky and an older model (hobbylock something or other) but I use it even on historical stuff, I finish the edges when bag lining out skirts and fabric that likes to fray.

Need a quick gift idea 30 minutes before a birthday? Sparkely fabric with a rolled hem = pretty evening wrap or scarf for my cousin.

Family asks you to hem a shifty springy rayon poly knit dress, serge and done.

The only thing I wish mine did was a cover stitch.

[GirlChris]

I actually just got one, a Brother 929. I haven't gotten a chance to play with it yet much, but the little bit I've used it has been fun. It's entirely possible to turn off the knife so you can't cut anything, which is pretty cool. I was terrified of having to thread it, but I actually went and did it a few times- no "tie a knot and pull it through" tricks. Now I can thread that sucker like a champ.

Since I mostly wear knits in mundane clothing (t-shirts, sweaters, hoodies etc) I'm hoping this will actually encourage me to make clothes I'll actually wear, rather than just costumes that are already overflowing my closet.

[Lady Rebecca]

I love my serger. I know the first time I saw one, back in HS, the knife did freak me out, but I learned to use them while working in the costume shop during college, and I got used to it really fast. It's nothing to be afraid of! The only difficult things about mine (which is an older Kenmore that I bought for $80 off of ebay last year) is that it is pretty difficult to thread, and that I'm having a problem putting new needles in. (I'm a terrible person - I still haven't brought it in for repairs, even though one of my needles broke in Feb. New ones won't fit in the slot, so I've just been serging with one needle since then. But I use it so often that I don't have time to bring it in!)

But I have found it a wonderful tool. I use it on pretty much every single edge, which is especially terrific on fabric that tends to fray. And right now, I'm making a chiffon Edwardian gown, and I was able to assemble and finish the edges of the chiffon in one step yesterday.

[Butch]

I use mine to stay the seams from fraying.  A quick, easy, and effective measure.  I have also used it to edge a couple of chemise necklines and cuffs.  I have only "butchered" one project so far.  I was not watching the way a sleeve was being fed, and I serged and cut a hold in it.  No biggie, it was under the arm and a patch fixed it just fine.

I don't use mine all the time, but when I need it, I'm glad I have it!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

As with all tools, a Serger is one of the most effective tools a Sewer/seasmtress can use.

Of course, it is always wise to make sure fabric that is being serged is carefully placed so that nothing can happen, like cutting off that which should not be cut. That has happened to me on ocassion because I did not look to make sure there was nothing underneath that could get in the way.

Simply put, I CANNOT sew without one!

[gem]

Thanks, everyone!  I have a feeling it may be coming. I'm excited but totally intimidated, and looking for projects I can incorporate it into. I've also signed up to be notified when Pattern Review offers their serger class.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

A 4 spool serger will become your trusted friend, gem. When doing hems, finishing seams, learning to do overlocking, etc. Where you buy your serger and get the hang as to how it works, you will eventually scratch your head and ask, "What took me so long in getting one?"

Trust me! You WILL ask yourself that. As we all have at one time or another.

[gem]

UPDATE

IT'S HERE!!!

I'm so excited!

I'm totally intimidated. LOL

I have no idea what to do with it, but my goal is to make something on it for Fair, which starts in  2 months.

Wish me luck!!!

[Kate XXXXXX]

SERIOUSLY go through the manual and explore everything in it.  Get some gash fabric and practice threading and sewing.  Try all the different stitches and processes.  You'll love it.

Oh, and here are a couple of books I'd completely recommend: 

  The serger bible!  Tells you how to do things, what to do, and how to fix stitch problems!



And this covers the basics: 

All available through Amazon etc...