Diaper Swappers

MothyrGrimm · 11-28-2012, 09:21 PM

Really would love one for my bday in January but have no clue about anything related to a serger. Don't have a ton to spend, but don't want to end up with a hunk of junk. I nearly died when my parents neighbor said I can have hers - turns out it's a broken 90's sewing machine with a zigzag stitch.

Only · 11-28-2012, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MothyrGrimm

Really would love one for my bday in January but have no clue about anything related to a serger. Don't have a ton to spend, but don't want to end up with a hunk of junk. I nearly died when my parents neighbor said I can have hers - turns out it's a broken 90's sewing machine with a zigzag stitch.

Oh, I would have been disappointed. At the very least it could've been a serger, but no, just a sewing machine. Boo.

I have and love my Babylock but it's pricier. I do see rave reviews for the Brother 1034D, and it runs between $180-$120.

You could check local shops to see if they have any nicer ones used. Be cautious if you check out CL since you will likely have to get it serviced which can be pricey.

MothyrGrimm · 11-28-2012, 10:20 PM

I was soooo disappointed. She built it up hardcore for like a week - thankfully she dropped it off at my parents so she didn't see my crushed hopes and dreams. Lol

Thanks for the tip! Is there different features on different sergers or just better qualities?

fawnlovesjasper · 11-29-2012, 04:13 AM

If you don't have a ton to spend, you may want to look into used. There are some older workhorses out there. I have a Toyota from the 80s that I got for a good price a few years back. It's metal and easy to thread. I don't use it any more.. I discovered my vintage sewing machine has this really cool overlock stitch feature and it serves my needs without having to switch machines. I have thought of selling off the serger but haven't been able to actually do it (I think I'm a hoarder in hiding sometimes), if you are interested we can talk

thtr4me · 11-29-2012, 10:42 AM

I have the Brother 1034D and it is fabulous! Went through 24 fitted diapers like butter. After about 3 years of (ab)use, I think I may finally have dulled the knife. And it needs a good cleaning. But even without being cared for properly, it still works perfectly!

MotherMoonPads · 11-29-2012, 10:52 AM

I just replaced my $950 Pfaff (it died after 4 years) with a $200 Brother 1034D and I really like the Brother so far.

misskira · 11-29-2012, 11:14 AM

If you do a search for 1034d you will find lots of threads of people who love that machine. I love mine,and I know most others do too. I really think its the best machine until you get to the $450+ machines. Do avoid the $200 singer sergers. Lots of unhappy owners of those. There are different features in sergers, but the 1034d does everything most people need it to. It has differential feed, 3 or 4 thread serging, and adjustable stitch width. The knife disengages easily (best feature!) and it's pretty easy to thread.

MothyrGrimm · 11-29-2012, 07:08 PM

Thanks sooo much ladies! I'm definitely going to look into it, maybe if we aren't flat broke after our wedding I can get one for my birthday. Lol

Is there a big learning curve with sergers? They look so easy but so do a lot of other things. Lol

MelandMack · 11-30-2012, 07:39 AM

I use my Brother 1034d every day. I liked my now dead Babylock better, but for the price the 1034d can not be beat.

boysniris · 11-30-2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MothyrGrimm

Thanks sooo much ladies! I'm definitely going to look into it, maybe if we aren't flat broke after our wedding I can get one for my birthday. Lol

Is there a big learning curve with sergers? They look so easy but so do a lot of other things. Lol

Threading is a lot more complicated than a sewing machine, and serging curves can be a challenge (at least for me on my machine...I have a Juki MO 654 DE). However, now that I can easily thread w/o the manual and sort of serge curves, it's been pretty straightforward. My next goal is to try wooly nylon, I have the thread just haven't taken the time to try it out

I love my Juki, it's VERY quiet, doesn't ever walk or vibrate, even at top speeds.

I highly recommend getting a general book on sergers. This looks like it might be a good one, I think it's one I read from the library:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/re.../dp/0806998075

I have these, and they were great in the beginning since I didn't know anyone in real life with a serger:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/re.../dp/0865733309

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/re.../dp/0801986451

11-28-2012, 09:21 PM	#1
MothyrGrimm Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 2,271 Ratings: 55 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Really would love one for my bday in January but have no clue about anything related to a serger. Don't have a ton to spend, but don't want to end up with a hunk of junk. I nearly died when my parents neighbor said I can have hers - turns out it's a broken 90's sewing machine with a zigzag stitch. __________________ Loving, country-fied, sewing, alpaca loving, kinda crunchy, farm-dreaming wifey to my goofy DH and mama to our little pumpkin Hunter (10/09/11)

11-28-2012, 10:20 PM	#3
MothyrGrimm Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 2,271 Ratings: 55 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	I was soooo disappointed. She built it up hardcore for like a week - thankfully she dropped it off at my parents so she didn't see my crushed hopes and dreams. Lol Thanks for the tip! Is there different features on different sergers or just better qualities? __________________ Loving, country-fied, sewing, alpaca loving, kinda crunchy, farm-dreaming wifey to my goofy DH and mama to our little pumpkin Hunter (10/09/11) Last edited by MothyrGrimm; 11-28-2012 at 10:22 PM.

11-29-2012, 04:13 AM	#4
fawnlovesjasper Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northeastern PA Posts: 3,520 Ratings: 31 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Affordable serger? If you don't have a ton to spend, you may want to look into used. There are some older workhorses out there. I have a Toyota from the 80s that I got for a good price a few years back. It's metal and easy to thread. I don't use it any more.. I discovered my vintage sewing machine has this really cool overlock stitch feature and it serves my needs without having to switch machines. I have thought of selling off the serger but haven't been able to actually do it (I think I'm a hoarder in hiding sometimes), if you are interested we can talk __________________ Sommer wife to one really amazing man, Adam ,homeschooling momma to Garrett (12/98), Rylee (12/04), Reagan (12/05) and Cameron (5/09)

11-29-2012, 10:42 AM	#5
thtr4me Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2,044 Ratings: 36 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Affordable serger? I have the Brother 1034D and it is fabulous! Went through 24 fitted diapers like butter. After about 3 years of (ab)use, I think I may finally have dulled the knife. And it needs a good cleaning. But even without being cared for properly, it still works perfectly! __________________ Cristina, Mama to Michael 03-16-06 , Nathan 01-16-11, and an angel 01-20-09 Go with your gut, follow your heart.

11-29-2012, 10:52 AM	#6
MotherMoonPads Formerly: KeepYourBabyClose Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 20,203 Ratings: 280 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Affordable serger? I just replaced my $950 Pfaff (it died after 4 years) with a $200 Brother 1034D and I really like the Brother so far. __________________ Denelle, WAHM to Gwen (15) Ezekiel (4) Eleanor (my homebirth baby) Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pads, Restocking Daily, Quick Shipping! Saving your body & the Earth, One cycle at a time Blog Etsy Shop, MotherMoonPads Facebook Friend Me!