I have the White 2000ATS and I love it! I've sewed everything from very thick (burly knit terry, layers of hemp french terry in mama pads) to very thin (5mm china silk and single layers of sheer stuff) It's really user friendly...easy to thread too.
It's not *that* much more expensive than others in that price range. I got it at allbrands.com for $369 with free shipping. When I was shopping around the viking lady at joanns said it was almost identical to a viking serger that cost much more...the only difference was the computerized display.
I never have to fiddle with the tension settings...I only adjust them to change stitches. It's very easy to do a rolled hem...no machine surgery needed.
I can't say enough about it. I use it so much in my sewing that I am really glad I spent the little bit extra on it.
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~Dannielle
Momma to Isabelle (8/95) and Mason (1/01)
But I'm sure your MIL told you that. I don't mind changing thread, or to a rolled hem. Tensions are never an issue, either. The only thing I could ask for is a coverstitch...
Re: One more time (humour me) ~ What serger do you have and would you recommend it?
Quote:
Originally posted by AnaYoga She said that I'll be unhappy with a cheaper model, that they are finicky and need a lot of attention, and that for the amount of sewing I do, I really need to invest in a better model.
I mean no disrepect when I say this, but IME your MIL is wrong about this. I've owned 3 sergers, 2 of them high-end models and both of them were HORRIBLE. Were you around to remember the saga of my Elna 744? What a peice of you-know-what. Now I don't have any experience with that Babylock machine, but I know a few here have it and really like it. That said, I think you can find a VERY GOOD machine for less than $300 -- easily. The New Home 104D, 504D or the White 2000ATS come to mind.
HTH!
__________________ ~*Meagan*~
Mama to my Sweet Pixie, Sophie Elise
I have been looking and researching these all week... and I finally drove a few towns over today to 'test' the two I had picked out.
I tried a Janome 504d and a Juki 644D, and I LOVED both of them. They both went through 4layers of HFT with no problem, and they both cut like a charm.
(However, that's my extend of serger knowledge. LOL)
I decided on a Juki though, because I have a Juki walking foot (industrial) and a zig zag machine (industrial) by them, and they are awesome!
My parents are in Alabama this weekend on vacation, and are picking mine up from Easyterms seller as they are in the next town over. LOL
Mom will of course, test drive the one I am buying, before she brings it home.
Cool Jodi! Tabitha (of tootsweet) told me Juki has an awesome cutting mechanism. I *think* she even traded in her pfaff for a juki if I understood her right! Have fun!
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Alison - mom of
Brian 5/28/02
Ruby 6/2/04
I have my choices narrowed down to the White 2000ATS and a Juki. Given my last serger buying experience (cough Elna 744 cough), I NEED to test drive before buying. Sadly, I haven't been able to locate a Juki dealer within 60 miles and I *believe* the 2000ATS is an internet only model.
Meagan...I got to check out the white 2000ats before buying. JoAnns doesn't carry it *but* if you have a JoAnns near you that has a Viking kiosk they should have it. It was over $500 there though. I tried to get them to haggle on price since it was my birthday present and I had cash and wanted it NOW but they couldn't/wouldn't meet allbrands.com's price
Meagan, if you can wait 3 weeks, you can come test drive mine.
I would say come on now, but honestly, I would D-I-E if anyone showed up right now, my house is GROSS.
I will be so happy to get these boxes out of the middle of my floor, and get moved. LOL
Had a high end expensive machine (Bernina) with coverstitch. Didn't like it. Was sad to sell it at the time but in all honesty I'm much happier with the Walmart Brother 1034 (I think that is what it is called). I've heard people who have had problems with it but I've got one and my friend just bought one from Costco online and hers is good too. I really liked Jenn's 10 yr old Bernette except it doesn't have a free arm. I had a simplicity... too lightweight for dipes, struggled with more than two layers of hemp. I borrowed a low end white... it sucked. I've used the New Home.. Chenning has it, liked it but still prefer my Brother.
Jenn and I met a lady in L.A. who manufactures leotards as a WAHM sort of person. She has several older jukis, she told us the model but I forget it. She said the older jukis are wonderful but the newer ones aren't as good.
Anyway IMO, the expensive ones aren't always better than the cheap ones. It was my very expensive one that was fiddly and a PITA to alter.
So for those of you who have bought one over the internet, did you try out a model "in person" first, or did you just order it and cross your fingers and toes that it would run well?
If you're going to buy over the internet, make sure it's somewhere with a good reputation, and that has allows returns/exchanges, in case you don't like it.
I really like Kevin (Easyterms guy) I spoke to him on the phone NUMEROUS times with tons of questions, and he was as sweet and helpful as he can be.
FWIW: I know alot of IRL stores don't carry the same models that are sold online, because the vendors don't allow it.
Good luck, and if you need this Kevin's phone #, pm me and I can give it to you.
(I test drove the one I wanted first, but it was only because the guy happened to have one in for servicing)
Location: This hospital, that hospital, oh.. and the one over there
Posts: 4,596
I have a PFAFF COVERLOCK 4852. I love it so much. I upgraded from a Janome/Kenmore.. which was a fine machine, but not as "strong" as the PFAFF. I serge many layers of fabric with no problems at all. Sometimes I run this PFAFF for long periods of time. The motor seems to stay cool and I never have to stop to give the machine a rest like I did with the Janome.
Am I the only one here with a PFAFF?
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Samantha
Proud Mama to Corey (14), Asia (11) and her special skills dog ^..^ River (6, CGC) ,Raven (8) , Raina Jade (5) ,Sienna Brooke (3)
I have the White 2000ATS
It is the only serger I have sewn on, so I can not compare
I think it does fine, but it does get 'chokey' (for lack of better word) when going through heavy layers.
I sew lots of patchwork and when I sew through layers of corduroy, it does not want to go...
I had to take it in to fix the timing and the lower looper had something wrong with it. (Bent?)
I admit, I am hesitant to bring out the corduroy.
I have killed two sewing machines sewing through patchy cord and I sure would hate to kill my serger!
I bought mine online, did I try it out?
No.. I knew nothing of sergers, I just crossed my fingers and jumped in.
Whenever I am able to upgrade (Are the pigs flying yet?) I WILL test drive my next machine.
Hope
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Mom to Ettie, Drake, Isabella, and Jasmine
I don't mind changing thread, or to a rolled hem. Tensions are never an issue, either. The only thing I could ask for is a coverstitch...
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