Since producing my Learn to Love Your Serger (Overlocker) online course, I have received a number of enquiries about them and this one from Nellie covered most questions so I thought I would share my reply with you all just in case some of you have wondered the same thing.
‘How important is a serger? I’ve sewn for a long time. I’ve never owned or operated a serger. I’m planning on making doll clothes to sell. What is the best one? Also, is it worth the extra for money for automatic threading?’
Following is part of my reply to Nellie.
….When I started selling doll clothes I was the same, I had sewn for years and never owned a serger, or overlocker as we call them here in Australia. Then I decided I wanted my doll clothes to look more professional so purchased a second-hand three thread serger which would allow me to finish the seams more professionally rather than just doing a zigzag stitch. Oh my gosh! I loved how fast it was and how good my sewing looked and also how easy it was to use the rolled hem – oh I could do so much with this rolled hem! Then as I got busier I decided to purchase a 4 thread serger so that I could do the seam and finish the edges in the one step saving me heaps of time. Well I have never looked back. I absolutely love my serger and couldn’t live without it now. I don’t usually use it in my videos as I want people to know how to make the outfit completely on the sewing machine – not everyone has the money to purchase a serger or has the desire to own one, they just want to learn how to sew or make some doll clothes.
It’s difficult for me to tell you which machine is the best one to purchase as we all have different expectations and requirements. If you can borrow a machine from a friend to try it out before buying, that would be ideal. Or if you have a dealer close by, perhaps you could take some time to visit them in person to try their different machines. I use a Janome My Lock 644d and it has been a great machine. It does a lot of work and has rarely given me any problems over the years.
You really don’t need to thread the machine that often as you cut the threads, tie on the new ones, release the tension and pull the new threads through. If you do get a tangle or broken thread (it does happen occasionally) this machine is really not that hard to re thread so I don’t believe that it is worth the extra money for one that threads automatically. My Mum actually bought a Baby Lock Imagine Jet Air Threader overlocker after I raved about mine so much and she agrees that she really didn’t need to spend the extra money.
When you purchase your machine, ask the staff to show you how to use it as you often pick up some great tips from them quickly. There is lots of helpful info in the manual that comes with the machine and I think I even got a DVD with mine. Otherwise you may be interested in doing my Learn to Love Your Serger online course as it covers the basics as well as showing more advanced techniques that can be done with a serger……
I hope this is helpful and if you have any advice to share with Nellie, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Happy sewing
Hi Rosie, I purchased your excellent Serger class to help me decide on my serger purchase and help me on how to use it. Any classes on the web like yours or in person from my retail store are very helpful to overcome the fears of using a serger and master the machine threading and stitches. I did purchase a half priced eclipse BabyLock with the automatic looper threading. It’s very nice to have the feature at a bargain price (though it was three times my budget). However, I learned that managing all the tension settings is every bit as challenging as the issues of threading. I ended up deciding to additionally purchase (at a third of the price of the BabyLock) a Singer Pro 5 my second choice (very high ratings for a combination serger and coverstitch machine). I plan to use it as a dedicated coverstitch machine because it has automatic tension settings. Threading is not a problem for me; tensions were a big problem. I’m sure I’ll get better with experience but the learning curve is steep and hand holding at the beginning is very, very helpful. Thanks for your hand holding. You are a great teacher. Marilee from California
Hi Marilee, Thank you for sharing your experiences with your sergers and for your kind words. I’m so glad that I was able to hold your hand in the beginning and I wish you many, many more years of fun sewing. 🙂
I use my serger every day. I have a Babylock Imagine and love it. Prior to this. I had a been in a and really hated using it. Hard to change threads, tensions, etc. Now I can’t see making doll clothes without it. Many people visiting my doll booth at shows comment on the fact that my seams are finished.
I love my serger. Though I’ve had a serger for over 20 years, I learned new things when I recently took Rosie’s course. As for threading, the technique that Rosie demonstrates in her course makes it a cinch. Also, I often leave a neutral color on the loopers, and only change the thread in the needles to coordinate with whatever color fabric I’m using. Also, with my serger, there’s one type of needle that’s recommended for all types and weights of fabrics, which means I only have to buy one kind of needle, which is a standard sewing machine needle..
Judy, it’s great to know you love your serger too! It’s also good to hear that you learnt some new things while taking my serger course and that you found the way I change threads a cinch. Thanks for sharing that great tip about the neutral color on the loopers. Happy serging. 🙂
After having a Serger without Automatic Air threading I purchased a Babylock with the air threading feature. I LOVE it and feel that it really is worth the extra money. Always before I was so hesitant to change thread as it was a chore and took so much time that I put off doing it and did not use my Serger unless I absolutely had to . Consequently I didn’t get the full benefit of my old Serger. I find I use my Serger much more now and with a Whoosh of air for each Looper both lower loopers are threaded. I highly recommend it! if you can afford it, make your sewing much easier and get one.
Hi Karena, thanks so much for your feedback. I’m thrilled to hear you love your Babylock and LOVE your serger too!