sergers and jet air threading
I’ve been researching sergers and so far I have it down to Janome and Babylock, which are the two latest sewing machine brands I have and I love them both. So, the jet air threading – is that a “nice to have” or is threading really a bear? I’m sure it depends on the machine – I really don’t need top of the line – and like to know how things work. I don’t want it do to everything for me, but I don’t want to be frustrated either.
I’ll take positive and negative comments on these brands or others, if you feel strongly about them.
edit: oops! I just saw the other post on sergers…I’ll check there…
Edited 3/22/2009 9:48 am ET by BellaGabriella
Replies
I bought the Babylock Imagine and the Babylock Cover Stitch machine. Anything complicated is beyond me and this simplifies things and I don't think the cost was any worse than a more complicated serger. I also don't see well.
I recently replaced my Elna with the Babylock which has the jetair threader and auto tension. The trade in on the Elna was so bad I kept it and I'm glad I did because the auto tension didn't work with admittedly very heavy embroidery thread in the loopers which I was using on a fuzzy ultrasuede coat. That said for all my normal sewing I love my Babylock Imagine.
I had a 930 D Janome Serger as my first serger when I started sewing. It came with a sewing machine as a good deal. I needed a better sewing machine and a serger, so I didn't pass it up.
I just was not a fan of threading my serger, and I mostly use it for seam finishes after sewing on the machine and rolled imagine wave hems.
Unfortunately, I am not a perfect fit, so I have to alter my patterns a lot. I am short, full busted and carry my weight in my stomach. I am trying very hard to lose weight, but I am on a lot of medication that does not help my situation. Due to being hard to fit I have to sew up seams with a basting stitch and redo a lot of sewing. I can't just dive into serging my seams up right off the bat.
I really like my Imagine Wave. I just hated the fact I had to buy the workbook for $80.00. You really need the workbook to use the machine. I waited one year and decided to go back and get it.
I only had a choice of one dealership in my area that is two hours away. I have been less than happy with their education classes and support. If you have more than one choice I would check all of them out. Pick the one that seems most supportive of helping you with the machine.
I have had my Imagine Wave three years and I haven't had any problems with it at all. If I had a better dealer I think I could use it more to its full potential.
Good Luck,
I originally purchased a Janome serger and my sister had a Babylock and swore by it for easy threading and adjustment. I decided to buyone. Wow, fantastic threading and basically no tension adjustment required, sewing from heavy or thick fabrics to lightweight. It is a dreadmachine. I also purchased the Babylock coverstitch as well. Expensive in Canada, but well worth it. Changing the threads could not be any easier. I also purchased the manual for some $90. The only problem is is that I still work fulltime and have not enough time to get to all my projects.
I did the same thing-I bought the Imagine and the coverstitch for less money than the next one up and I can leave the coverstitch set up. It's much simpler. I don't want to fight 6 or 8 threads on one machine.
I bought a Juki MO-654DE serger about 3 yrs ago -- it's very similar to the Janome's. It's a 4-thread, manually-threading machine. I'm a real DIY'er and don't find it difficult to thread it from scratch as long as I take my time and be careful. Most often I "tie on" the new color thread to the original color to simplify the threading. I do have to make several tension adjustments for each weight/type of fabric I'm using, just like you need to do on a regular sewing machine. I keep my serger reference book handy to help with tension settings, just to remind myself of what needs to be done.
When I looked at the BabyLocks, I thought they were too expensive and too noisy. Pricing at my local store was almost 3X what I paid for my Juki that I bought online. I have used a BabyLock at sewing classes, and I was very glad that I had bought my Juki instead. Obviously, this is a very personal decision based on your own abilities and the types of things you will be sewing. But how much more fabric/tools/patterns can you buy if you get the Janome instead????
I don't mind threading my serger either, once I learned how, it was all downhill smooth sailing!
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