What kind of serger do you have? Do you like it?

Hi!

I am looking for a serger, and I thought I would ask you ladies your opinion.  I have read really good things about the Brother 1034D.  I am also looking at the Kenmore serger.  These are both so reasonably priced with good reviews.  However, I am not opposed to spending a little bit more.  What kind do you have and do you like it?

On this subject: do you REALLY need a serger?  I can handle outlaying some cash for one to start with, but how expensive is it to sew with a serger?  It seems like it would be a lot since you're using so much thread.  I love the professional look they give to garments, but am I frittering away my children's college money by using one just for the sake of a lovely hem?

I have the Brother 1034 D & I love it! It didn't cost alot & I get the serger that I wanted. I did not need it but it sure is nice to have. I love serging the edges of fabric before washing & seam finishing. This machine is easy to thread & easy to use! Now that I have it & I have not used it for all the different things it can do yet but I don't want to do without it.

I too have the Brother 1034D and absolutely love it.  No, I didn't need it.  I does seem to help the kids clothes last longer.  The shorts and pants do last longer for my 3 little ones.  I love having the finished edges on the inside of the garments I make too.  I use it almost everytime I sew now.  Very, very easy to use and thread.  I've done the rolled hem, gathering, narrow hem, and the basic 3 & 4 thread serging with it.  There are still other features to try!  Before I got this, I had never even seen a serger in real life     No classes needed to learn to use it.  I too think it was worth buying.

I'm another 1034D lover here.  I buy the big cones of thread and it really isn't that expensive to sew with the serger, and the results are well worth what you do spend.  Your garments will hold up so much better.  I have not one complaint about my 1034D.

Another thumbs up for the Brother 1034D. I questioned whether I really needed it too. I am not one to spend lightly. I had no idea how useful it would be! I've been sewing for years but the serger has really changed how I sew. For one thing - speed! And it is easier to make quick garments that are still neatly finished. The other thing is that I could never get good results with knits before and now I can. And I really wouldn't have expected to make tee shirts since they are so cheap but then again, now I can make them however I want to make them so I think it is definitely worth it. I am really wishing for a coverstitch now. 

Thanks ladies!  I am so excited!  I am definitely getting the 1034D!

I have the Brother 1034D.
I like it just fine, though Im no pro.

It is a pain if one of the threads breaks since you need to rethread everything, but I think that's the case for all sergers.
I haven't tried anything fancy yet but I still feel like a pro.

That being said its sitting in his broken thread state now & everytime i want to use, I say argh! & don't thread it.

I see you've already made up your mind regarding the Brother, but I wanted to give another option.  I bought on used off of Craigslist- a Bernette 334D.  I love it.  I use it alot and don't regret my serger purchase on bit.  The threading can be a pain, but once you've understand where everything goes it's not bad.  (I wasn't going to pay $1000+ for a self threading one.)  I paid $200 for mine which was kind-of spendy, but I did a little research before buying it and knew it was a trusty older machine. 

If you intend to make sewing a regular hobby, I would purchase a serger.  If you sew only as an occasional hobby, I would hold off on a serger purchase. 

Look for one with not too wide a foot so it is easy to around curves.

Jumping on the bandwagon, but I got a different one....

I tried out several but I fell in love with the Babylock Imagine...Granted it was a little bit more than I planned to spend but it is constantly set up and I use it with nearly every project too! 

I am so glad I went with the babylock after I tried them all out because of the air-threading feature....seriously with all the hours and hours and hours this baby has been used, I think I only had a thread break ONCE, (BTW, no tensions to mess with on this machine!), does curves great, and it is so easy to change set ups on it that I don't hesitate.

The thread seems like a pain at first since you buy 4 of the same color but if you get it on sale, the good stuff is pretty cheap at hancock fabrics/joanns once a month and it seriously lasts forever.

If you think you might use it a lot, it is worth it to try out all the different brands at a sewing shop....I was surprised (I went in planning to get the model you are planning to get)...

i second the vote for babylock - not having to mess with threading is a joy. 

You can buy a used Eclipse model and get all those features.