great topic. I have an older White serger for the occasional time I want to use a serger. Bought it used and learned the intricacies of threading and balancing tension. My dilemma is that I use it so infrequently that I have a hard time justifying the investment in a modern Babylock with the newer technology. So for now, I can just drool at others' equipment and know that, if I start needing more frequent serging (I mostly quilt and occasionally make a garment or two, mostly woven), I will head to the Babylock dealer!
Interesting article. I’ve heard there are only a few Serger manufacturers with Baby lock being one of them. Which sergers an cover lock machines are made by other manufacturers?
I kept the last Pfaff serger made in Germany but own 3 combo air sergers; BL Triumph, Pfaff Admire Air and Bernina L890.
Great article. I made the mistake of buying a used older serger and even after getting it serviced, it never worked correctly, and threading was a nightmare. Not too long after I cut my losses and took the plunge buying a BabyLock Enlighten with automatic tension and air threader. The air threader is amazing and has never failed. The Enlighten has been superseded by the Acclaim which now includes an automatic threader. The Enlighten has a manual treader that works well, so I don’t feel the need to upgrade. I have never regretted it and it's been working like a champ for the last four years with no issues.
I appreciate your perspective, although I've had a slightly different experience. I teach classes at both our local BabyLock and Bernina dealers. When it came time for me to upgrade from my Juki 654 serger, I went with a Bernina L860. (I have a standalone coverstitch machine and did not need L890.) While I agree with you that the BL machines are excellent, I went with the Bernina precisely because it did NOT have automatic tensioning. I am the kind of sewist who wants to be able to tinker with and fine-tune my tension settings, and I found the BL machines frustrating. I also prefer to drive a manual transmission vehicle, and I see many similarities between that and sergers. For the sewist who wants to "set it and forget it,"—yes, the BL machines are the best choice. Other sewists like to get "under the hood" and understand exactly how the machine works. Because I teach at both stores, I do not endorse one or the other brand in my classes. I simply point out the differences and ask students to consider their own personalities and which machine they would be more comfortable using. In that case, "best" is subjective.
Great story and great sale!
great topic. I have an older White serger for the occasional time I want to use a serger. Bought it used and learned the intricacies of threading and balancing tension. My dilemma is that I use it so infrequently that I have a hard time justifying the investment in a modern Babylock with the newer technology. So for now, I can just drool at others' equipment and know that, if I start needing more frequent serging (I mostly quilt and occasionally make a garment or two, mostly woven), I will head to the Babylock dealer!
Great story!
Ok, now I'm dreaming about having a Baby Lock. I feel like I am very easily persuaded, but it sounds so easy and fun to use. 😩
Doesn't sound super practical where I live tho, unfortunately.
Probably should be sponsored by Babylock now. Fellow guild members are always trying to sell their servers, but now I know why.
I learned so much here.
I enjoyed this article on Sergers!
It was helpful for helping prospective serger buyers.
Your writing is exceptional, and the story was interesting and fun as well. Keep at it because I’ll be waiting for the next one.
Interesting article. I’ve heard there are only a few Serger manufacturers with Baby lock being one of them. Which sergers an cover lock machines are made by other manufacturers?
I kept the last Pfaff serger made in Germany but own 3 combo air sergers; BL Triumph, Pfaff Admire Air and Bernina L890.
Great article. I made the mistake of buying a used older serger and even after getting it serviced, it never worked correctly, and threading was a nightmare. Not too long after I cut my losses and took the plunge buying a BabyLock Enlighten with automatic tension and air threader. The air threader is amazing and has never failed. The Enlighten has been superseded by the Acclaim which now includes an automatic threader. The Enlighten has a manual treader that works well, so I don’t feel the need to upgrade. I have never regretted it and it's been working like a champ for the last four years with no issues.
I appreciate your perspective, although I've had a slightly different experience. I teach classes at both our local BabyLock and Bernina dealers. When it came time for me to upgrade from my Juki 654 serger, I went with a Bernina L860. (I have a standalone coverstitch machine and did not need L890.) While I agree with you that the BL machines are excellent, I went with the Bernina precisely because it did NOT have automatic tensioning. I am the kind of sewist who wants to be able to tinker with and fine-tune my tension settings, and I found the BL machines frustrating. I also prefer to drive a manual transmission vehicle, and I see many similarities between that and sergers. For the sewist who wants to "set it and forget it,"—yes, the BL machines are the best choice. Other sewists like to get "under the hood" and understand exactly how the machine works. Because I teach at both stores, I do not endorse one or the other brand in my classes. I simply point out the differences and ask students to consider their own personalities and which machine they would be more comfortable using. In that case, "best" is subjective.