What brand of serger is recommended for a beginner?

Question

What features are a must?

Answer 1

Absolute must for me: 3/4 thread capability, differential feed.
Strong preferences: 2/3/4/5 thread, differential adjustment on the outside of the case, reasonably priced serger blades (at least the softer blade), easy to find needles, rolled hem that doesn't require major set up.

Some very strong suggestions for you:

1) shop locally for your first serger, if at all possible, in a real sewing machine store, not a big box store. Most dealers offer free "guide classes" that can be retaken whenever you need a refresher on how to operate your machine. Also, there's quite a bit of a learning curve at first -- not so much in threading (which most people dread) but in fabric handling. Having someone show you hands-on some of the tricks like serging inside and outside curves or serging elastic is exceedingly helpful.

2) Go to your local public library and pick up all the books they have on serging and read them. My particular favorite is Ultimate Serger Answer Guide; other good books include Chris' James serger handbook (which title I always mess up, but something like Complete Serger Book), the Singer sewing series title Sewing with an Overlock, and just about anything by Gail Brown or Kacynski. Serger Secrets is another good title. If you spot Anne van der Kley's books, grab them too, for the "art" part of serging. For basic construction techniques, try ABCs of Serging and Serge Something Super (several titles, pick any).

More help?
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00162.asp

I bought my first serger, a Pfaff 3/4 thread, on the basis of trying a lot of sergers and then asking my sewing machine mechanic which sergers they saw the least of coming in for repair. I finally wore that one out after about 9 years and many miles of serging, and bought a Juki 5-thread (MO-655) this past spring because every Juki I've tried has felt solidly built, more like a commercial serger than a home machine. So far, I'm very impressed with this machine. I also have a separate coverstitch machine -- coverstitch conversion from regular serging is a PITA, and I don't deal with PITA machines.

When you've got your choices narrowed down a bit, check the machine reviews at http://www.patternreview.com

Have fun! Serging is great!!!

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What brand of serger is recommended for a beginner?
What features are a must?

Answer 3

I love the White brand and the Baby Loc. No need to spend top dollar and you don't need it to do every thing - those multi purpose machines are a waste. Go for a 4 thread which will convert to a 3 or 2 thread. It will make nice seams - and go down to make nice rolled edges for things like table cloths or sheer fancy stuff. Go to the store and see some demonstrated. Then go on line to ALLBRANDS.com - they have good prices and throw in the extras like the special edging feet etc.

Answer 4

I have a singer, and it is easy to use. Do not go under a four thread, you don't always use all four, but on some stitches you will . research and find the features you like, some brands will have some of what you want, but maybe not all.