any recommendations for a serger for someone who is a Total newbie sewer ...

I am slowing getting better at sewing and I really would like a serger.  I know very little about them, except when I watched my friend use hers once, that I was SO impressed with the finished project. So who and what makes a good serger? What is the price range for a good quality one?  I have seen cheap sergers at Walmart but I am not so sure about buying a serger there and not being happy with it or having it break in the first month. Thanks!

Sergers can be hard to thread, so, you want to test that feature on any potentials.  My mother-in-law has a BabyLock and absolutely loves it, I am sure that is what I will get, too.  I am not too sure on the price, but, I figured around a $1000 iis decent.

I have a Brother 1034D.  I think this would probably be a good starting machine for you.  I've used it a lot and have had no problems.  Amazon is listing it for 232.72.
Here's the link for that:
 http://www.amazon.com/Brother-1034D-Lay-Thread-Serger/dp/B0000CBK1L/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1209915228&sr=8-1

I hope this helps.

I have a Juki Pearl Line and I think it was $400 new, including the fancy set of feet (none of which I have used....). I really love it! All sergers are a bear to thread, but some are easier than others. Some even thread themselves, but you'll pay out the nose for it.

Mine is a little more expensive than the bottom of the line because it has a feature that shuts off the presser foot when I'm threading it (you know, in case someone shorter than three feet decides to crawl over it). It also has a feature that makes it a little easier to thread the lower looper (the loopy looking stitching that finishes the edges are called lower and upper loopers--these are the tricky ones to thread).

You'll also need to decide how many threads you want. There are 3, 4, and 5 thread sergers. Mine is a 4 thread and it can do everything except the hem stitch you would find on a t-shirt (where one side shows two straight stitches and the other is an overlock stitch). In fact, I'm not sure what kind of serger would do that. It would require you to be able to shut off the cutting knife.

I would suggest going to a local fabric store (not JoAnn's) and checking out their sergers. Have the salesperson show you all the different features available and then you can make an educated decision and find the one that is right for you. Just keep in mind that they will only have one or two brands to show you, so you might want to look other places as well to get a broad range of choices.

My husband bought mine for me at my local fabric shop because they offer free classes and support with the purchase. The class was SUPER helpful!

I have a Huskylock 936 and really like it. But my best advice would be to buy your serger from a dealer that you like and that you can take classes with. You MUST take at least an introductory class to get the hang of threading the machine and to learn all the great things it can do. Its nice to be able to go in and ask questions if you need to. Shopping for the dealer as well as the machine is the key!

this is the serger i have had my eye on. i have read great reviews about it at the sewing mama forums. and, you can't beat the price!!

Mine came with a couple of DVDs that show you how to use the machine, and the manual is really good.  I had never used a serger before I got this one, and it was pretty easy to learn.  It is difficult to thread a serger, but it is with any model.  I think this is a good starting machine.

My first serger was the Brother 1034D. It was a great first machine and I used it almost every day of the first year i owned it. it was a great machine for learning on, although there were some things about it that drove me nuts at times. it has a free arm, which is a nice feature although not a must have.

In March, I replaced the Brother with a Janome 1110dx. It serges beautifully. It's not as loud as my Brother, either. I tried out a Babylock and Bernina also. The Babylock models I looked at all required a special tool for threading. My 3 year old loves to "help" me and the last thing I need is for the indispensable threading tool to disappear, so I crossed that off my list. The Bernina did a fabulous job, but to be totally honest, I really didn't see $200+ difference in that model vs. the Janome. Plus, the Janome came with a scrap catcher and I like that the case swings open on both sides do I can really clean in there.

I have a Bernina 800 DL and it is wonderful.  It was a gift from my mom (for about two Christmases and three birthdays, but well worth it).  I haven't played around with most of the settings, but the basic 4 thread overlock and edgeroll binding are super easy.  I don't have trouble threading it at all.

I did just post a new topic about using the gathering foot on a serger, but that has more to do with my inability to interpret the directions, I think.  And that the only set of directions that came with the foot were in seven languages I don't speak - ha ha.

Good luck with your research.

I have a Babylock Evolve for the main reason of the awesome jet-air threading. My first serger was a three thread Toyota with no differential feed and I was a self-learner. Then I went up to a Bernina. Have a visual deficiency and had issues threading the machine. If a looper thread broke, the whole thing had to be rethreaded in the order prescribed. As soon as Babylock came out with the jet-air threading, that machine was traded in! With the jet-air, there is no prescribed order of threading. However, my only strong suggestion would be to visit a dealer who can work with you, offer you lessons, help maintain the machine, etc. My dealer is worth her weight in gold!!! She also hosts "serger club" every two months to teach us a new technique! Best of luck! Kathy

I have the brother 1034D. Its my first serger & I love it. Its so easy to thread. I've had it for 16 mos & am so happy with it. Its a great machine for a small price. I've not had any trouble at all with it.

I have had a Babylock machine for 13 years now.  It was a high school graduation gift!  It is a PAIN to thread, and when one thread breaks (which they do from time to time...) you have to UNTHREAD and then RETHREAD the entire thing from scratch!    I wish that it was easier to thread.  I am sure that the newer models (even the ones without the jet air threading...) are easier than the old models.  Aside from the threading issue, I have NEVER had any problems with this machine.  I love it, and it was easy to learn to use.  I agree with the above posters, that you should buy from a reputable source.  ALSO, look for a dealer with a trade-in program.  Sometimes if you buy a machine, and then change your mind or want to upgrade within the year, you can get the entire original purchase price of your machine towards a totally new one!

Either way you go, there will be a learning period, but a serger is really a great way to get that professional look on your work.  I find it great for children's clothes so that they last longer, and are less likely to fray or have irritating seams for their sensitive skin.

Good Luck!

If you are relatively new to sewing, buying an expensive serger is a waste of money.  I own two sergers, both low-end.  I paid about $250 - $300 for each.  One has differential feed, the other doesn't.

Nothing beats a serger for a rolled hem and seam finishes.  They're great for fleece too.  That said, they are not essential.  You NEED a good sewing machine, but you don't NEED a serger. 

Yes, they are a pain to thread, but once you learn, it's no big deal.  Yes, you have to play around with tensions depending on the garment, but keeping a pencil and paper handy to jot down the settings in your manual and after a while it will be second nature.

Most of my experience on sergers is with bernina 800DL and Janome 644D. They are very good machines and I would recommend them both. I own the Janome and I liked that one because it came with a thread catcher and the price was quite a bit lower. Good luck with this, Just go test some out and see what's in your price range.