I'm thinking of buying a serger. Any comments?

[hedgehog]

I'm an average sewer, I don't do much tailoring since I prefer unstructured clothing. Most of my sewing would be princess style dresses, front fly pants, tunics and the occasional button down blouse.

[ccinamon]

1. Sergers are wonderful!

Once you get one and see what they can do,, you will probably find yourself making more things!!

They are great for pants and long seams --- you'll love it.

I would recommend doing lots of research, and keep in mind, you are better off getting the best you can afford -- preferably one with automatic/easy use looper threading. Manually threading the loopers is a big pain in the butt.

I splurged big-time 8 years ago and spent $1000 on my babylock serger -- it has automatic tension and one button looper threading....even though I only use it about 15 hours/year, it is the BEST investment I've ever made for sewing. Good sergers will last a long-time, just like sewing machines. My first serger I made the mistake of buying one of the cheapest, and everytime I switched to different fabric, it would take me 45 minutes to rethread and calibrate all 4 of the thread tensions.

I've serged everything from normal cotton, to polyester, including chiffon, and even did vinyl tablecloths!!!

Any questions, let me know!

Good luck!

[likesmountains 52]

2. I have similar sewing habits...I bought a serger about 4 years ago

and there is a bit of a learning curve. I finally took a class a few months ago and am amazed at the things I never knew my machine could do. The threading can seem a bit complicated, but I bought mine on ebay and did not have any problems after just watching the DVD and following directions. You will probably still need your regular machine if you want to do top-stitching, buttonholes etc.

[franmarz]

3. I have made all my clothes except formal wear-

and thought it was not so difficult. Then I got a serger, and WOW- wish I had done so years before.
You can do so much more on a Seeger. Just a word of advise. There are 5 thread sergers, and 4 thread sergers. You dont want the complicated 5 thread one.
There is nothing you cannot serge-so get one and be happy.

[Warpy]

4. Ask them to demonstrate threading

because I know some brands are a lot tougher than others.

I had a cheap little Singer that was such a bear to thread that I've kept it in its box for years. I really should unload it, it's such a pain in the ass that I never use it. It's 14 years old. They have probably improved them since then, but make sure you check it out.