your favorite sewing machine & serger??

18 years ago

We are planning to invest in a good machine within the next 6 months so my dh has asked me to do research on brands, features, etc.

Can you please share your recommendations?

I will also be purchasing a serger. Thanks in advance,

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Comments (6)

kathi_mdgd
18 years ago
If you scroll back thru the pages here you'll find lots of answers to this question.Suggest you start at the last page and work forward.There are tons of answers.
HTH
Kathi
ngmnewlywed
18 years ago
I just purchased a Husqvarna Viking Designer I and am totally in love....and it is quite an investment, so check it out!!! $5900.00
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A truly industrial machine is going to set you back some bucks unless you find an older machine at auction or thrift store. Don't be fooled by labels of "commercial/industrial heavy-duty machine" on some of the ebay auctions. People that know have pointed out that the machines being sold are not industrial - just work-horse vintage machines with too high a price tag. A vintage Singer 99 or 15-91 or 301 machine would be a the types of machines I would suggest. Unless you are trying to sew thru leather or layers of denim, a commercial machine may not be necessary for your business.
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Well between my DH and myself we have cleaned both my serger and my regular machines. DH used "canned air" to blow a gentle stream through some tight spots....and other than that he has adjusted timing and things on them all. I do get them served "professionally" when there is a major problem but that has only happened once or twice in all these years. There are some great books on cleaning and repair...check out the local library....call and ask a librarian to pull a few books on "general maintenance of sewing machines". It will save time and they will be able to tell you what they have (or if they had to request anything). You should read what it says in the manual you got with the machine...just to see what they might warn you NOT to try. (OK I'm one for not following things to the letter sometimes). Good luck. Bud
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rosefolly
18 years ago
It might be a good idea to set a budget. There are good quality basic machines for under $1000. If you want to spend under $500, you are probably looking at a reconditioned trade in. If you want an electronic machine, you will be spending over $1000, on up to the price level ngmnewlywed listed. But it is not necessary to spend that much to get a decent sewing machine unless you want all the bells and whistles including advanced embroidery capability. I am a part time student at a fashion design program, and very few people in my classes have a machine like that.

There is also the issue of getting an industrial machine.
They sew much faster -- but do cost more.

You might look online at Allbrands to see what is available. On the other hand, having a local dealer is a distict advantage when you have questions or want support.
chelone
18 years ago
Juki 9010, needle-feed industrial with automatic backtack and undertrimmers. I LOVE it! Fast, quiet, and completely contained, no need to oil anything, ever.

I have a Willcox&Gibbs 5 thread overlock, model#500-4, type 515. (I bought it as a 4 thread, and had the spreader replaced with another looper). This is an older model (20-25 years?), but it's fast and easy to operate.
gritsembroidery
18 years ago
I have a Babylock Ellageo Sewing and Embroidery Machine. I absolutely love it. It may not be a commercial machine but I have a home business and have put it through it's paces. So far no problems and I've had it for almost a year. I also have a Babylock imagine SergerI don't use it all that much yet but when I have it has done a wonderful job. ( I want to take a serger class soon).

Hope you fine what you are looking for.
Sincerely, Stacie
www.gritsembroidery.com
ngmnewlywed
18 years ago
Go to www.patternreview.com and you can compare the different machines and read reviews on their performance and also get an idea on prices!!

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your favorite sewing machine & serger??

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kathi_mdgd

ngmnewlywed

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