Take a look at Baby Lock or Bernette sergers. Sewing machine dealers sell sergers, but they are not made by sewing machine manufacturers. They are all made in Asia, to the specifications of the company that puts its name on them.
Over the years, they have added many features to the original, home overlock machine. Some of them are useful, some are only additional expense. I would recommend a 3/4 thread model with differential feed. You do NOT need to pay extra for a serger that sets its own tensions for the different stitches. A little practice and setting tensions is simple to do. In fact, you are expected to adjust the tension any time you serge on a different fabric, or with a different thread. Since you don't sew with knits, you won't need a cover stitch. This is the stitch used to hem T-shirts, etc. Some sergers can convert from overlock to cover stitch and back again, but you won't use this feature. Models made within the last 10 years should be fairly easy to thread. You don't need to buy something with an automatic threading system, unless you want to spend the extra money. I do save time by tying the new thread on to the old one, and pulling it through with the tension turned to zero. You can get a blind hem foot for your serger, if you want to finish the raw edge and hem at the same time, and at high speed. I usually find it easier not to do this, but if I had a lot of curtains or something large to do, it would come in handy. Do try the machine before you buy. If it sounds clackety or feels shaky when it sews, it's probably too cheaply made and you shouldn't buy it. You can probably find a decent, used 3/4 thread serger with differential feed under $300. If you buy from a dealer, don't hesitate to dicker on price. If they won't come down, maybe they'll throw in a free accessory. Good luck. Kim -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lavolta Press Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 7:08 PM To: Historical Costume Subject: Re: [h-cost] Overlocker thread What model would you recommend? Thanks, Fran Kim Baird wrote: > Fran-- > I never wanted a serger, either. But once I learned to use one, I > really liked it. I _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
