Replies

1. 
   MargaretAnn | Feb 01, 2004 06:02am | #1

   I have a new Viking 905.  It works very well; every problem I have had was because I didn't follow the directions completely.  It does exactly what the next level up does but without a computer.  You have to read the manual.  It only does 4 threads, so if you want to do a cover stitch, as on the bottom of a tee shirt, you have to spend about $800 more.  Threads did an article on Sergers not long ago; that's where I picked mine.

   Margaret-Ann

1. 
   HeartFire | Feb 01, 2004 08:00am | #2

   I have an Elna 945 and love it, its a 5 thread, and I love having the cover stitch, I use it a lot on hems of knits.  I think the biggest decision in getting a serger is to decide if you want/need the 5th thread and can you afford it, there is a big jump in price when you get to the cover stitch/chain looper, but its well worth it, I think most of the major brands are about equal in quality, good luck on your search.

   Judy 7 of 9

2. 
   sueb | Feb 01, 2004 09:30pm | #3

   I have the viking 910 - it's a great machine, I have it for a few years and have never had a problem with it.

3. 
   DJD120 | Feb 02, 2004 05:40pm | #5

   Thanks for your information. I have always been impressed with Viking products.

2. 
   JulieP25 | Feb 02, 2004 01:46am | #4

   I have a Singer 1434U. Never have been happy with this nightmare. I would love a Babylock Imagine or a Bernina 1300. jules

1. 
   mcgintie | Feb 02, 2004 07:57pm | #6

   Hi,  I have had  a Bernina 1300 for eight months and I am tearing my hair out with it. The furthest left thread snaps after a foot or so of serging with four threads.  So I mostly just serge with the three other threads. I have difficulty getting the stitching even, when I change fabrics.

   I have tried cover stitch and it just breaks.  The same with chain stitch. I am willing to believe that I am not following the (very unuser friendly) manual properly - is there something with big pictures that I can get hold of?

   Any help gratefully received,

   Jintie 

1. 
   JulieP25 | Feb 03, 2004 12:21am | #7

   Sorry that I'm not able to help with that model as I do not have it. It still would be better than the Singer model that I do have. It is far to finicky. Ask your Bernina dealer to get you the " Mastering Your Serger" book. Take the machine in and see if there is any problems with it. I found the most problems I had was making sure that the thread does not get caught anywhere, so it feeds freely into the machine.  Hope this helps. Jules 

3. 
   SewingSue | Feb 05, 2004 05:25am | #8

   Hi, I have a Singer 14U286B. It's an old four thread machine and totally love it. Some day will upgrade to a five thread with cover stitch but no real urgency. This is a nice machine but not as fancy as the newer models.

4. 
   sewmore | Feb 05, 2004 06:03am | #9

   I have had the Viking 936 for about 4 years and I LOVE it.  I just recently used the cover stitch and it worked great.  I usually just use the 3 or 4 thread stitches.  I think Viking would be the way to go.  Definitly try them first.  Have Fun.

5. 
   PLW1017 | Feb 05, 2004 07:05pm | #10

   I have as advantage of having worked for a Pfaff/Bernina dealer for several years and got professional training on several models of sergers.  I taught the serger classes for a long time.  When I retired I had the option of getting a new serger and the one I chose was the Pfaff 4852, a 5 thread coverlock/overlock machine. 

   In my opinion and experience, Pfaff sergers are much easier to thread than the Berninas and they are not as finicky (sp?) during operation. I've had two different White models in past years and they are okay machines but didn't have the power or versitility of my Pfaff and their stitch quality was not great. 

   On a Pfaff Coverlock changing from one type stitch to the other is very simple!  To switch to coverlock you add a snap on table, rotate the blade down, thread for whichever stitch you want and sew!  The Bernina machines that are capable of coverlock have to practically be re-built to prepare them for a change in stitching. 

   The Pfaffs have very easy threading in that the loopers will move out where you can see what you're doing and then automatically go back into sewing position when the hand wheel is turned.  I always felt as if I had to practically stand on my head to thread both the Berninas and my older Whites.

   Obviously, I'm sold on my Pfaff serger! LOL  I don't know anything about other brands other than having a few in class from time to time when I was teaching. I never saw anything on those machines that stood out and impressed me enough to go look elsewhere. 

   All the above is strictly my opinion of course!

   Peg

1. 
   mcgintie | Feb 09, 2004 07:03pm | #11

   Hi Peg,

   Wish I'd done some homework before I bought a Bernina 1300. You have confirmed what I thought about the coverstitch. I have gone back to the manual and found I was threading the two needles wrongly right at the very end. So it is not breaking threads there anymore.  Progress of sorts,

   Thanks

   Jintie