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The Selfish Seamstress loves to design and sew garments, but only if she gets to keep them. I'm Elaine, known in the online sewing world as elainemay, and welcome to my selfish sewing blog.
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The Selfish Seamstress 
29 comments
Comments feed for this article
March 23, 2010 at 10:32 pm
yoshimi
You need just one, why not!
March 23, 2010 at 11:15 pm
PEHudson
I agree – I posted a serge or not to serge discussion just a few days ago – and I must serge! I’ve picked out a Babylock Imagine but want to draw out buying it and kinda enjoy the process for a while – plus I’m not in a big hurray, but, ahh, knits . . .
March 24, 2010 at 2:26 am
Carina
me too :(
March 24, 2010 at 2:39 am
Bridget
I got one a couple of months ago and have been sewing up a knit storm! love it and you should get one!
March 24, 2010 at 3:08 am
Elaray
Finished seams look great
A serger makes life easy.
Yes, get a serger!
March 24, 2010 at 3:23 am
Cidell
I bought a serger far before I needed one and am I ever so glad I did! Mine was a cheapie Euro Pro from QVC or HSN six years ago. I lurv it still!
March 24, 2010 at 3:52 am
Katie
My new mantra…
March 24, 2010 at 4:12 am
Marie-Christine
Yes, you need one. No need to spend a fortune. Just go out and do it..
March 24, 2010 at 4:33 am
formalsandmore
I figure I’ve been sewing without one for 35 years. My Ellageo does a nice finished seam; so do I want one because I think I really need it? or because I’m ‘supposed’ to want one?
March 24, 2010 at 7:06 am
selfishseamstress
That’s what I used to think, as I am the queen of minimalist equipment. Up until a year ago I did everything on a $50 machine, and my sewing tools and supplies are impoverished to say the least, except for a lovely pair of scissors that were a gift. Up until recently I didn’t feel the need, but I had only worked with stable knits and heavy sweater knits. My machine has a nice stretch stitch and a nice cover stitch, so why bother right?
Then this weekend I tried to put together the *easiest* top (two pieces!) in a lightweight rayon knit and I swear, it was like I sewed it with no hands and no eyes. Frustrating process and it looks awful! I’m not touching another lightweight knit on my regular machine now!
March 24, 2010 at 5:04 am
Auntie Allyn
Oh crap, don’t go there or you’ll possibly push me over the edge to get one! Perhaps I’ll wait until you get yours (you KNOW you’re going to get one, don’t you?) and see how you like it and how you use it.
March 24, 2010 at 5:13 am
Becky
I like my serger. *hides it so you can’t steal it because it’s mine*
March 24, 2010 at 6:05 am
Stephanie
My sister found a very nice refurbished one that does the basics. They are absolutely great for stretch fabrics, swim suit, skating and other sport materials. I also use one to finish long seams that feather. It definately gets used on things I know will be machine washed and might feather. You don’t have to spend a lot to get just what you need.
March 24, 2010 at 6:51 am
amber
Same here. :(
March 24, 2010 at 7:40 am
lorrwill
Which serger is best?
I want to serge my seams so nice
and pay a low price!
March 24, 2010 at 7:45 am
Joanie
I’m also a minimalist, by necessity! (I live in a <1000 sq. ft. apartment with very little storage space, and my "sewing room" is the living room). But I took the plunge and bought a serger in December, and I haven't regretted it. I got a refurbished Janome on Ebay, and I've been really happy with it. I think you can get a lot of value for your money that way. Just my two cents.
March 24, 2010 at 7:48 am
Kate
I got a Babylock Imagine 2 years ago, and loved it soooooooo much. In just a few months I upgraded to the Evolve, which I needed for a specific application. I love it too! For serging that seams like magic, though, the 4 thread Imagine is dreamy.
March 24, 2010 at 7:54 am
plummy
Honestly, just keep an eye out on craigslist! My mom got a really nice one for 450$ (it’s originally over 1000) from craigslist after watching for only a few months, and I found mine for 100$! Yes, someone didn’t know what they were selling, lol. I did have to watch for…oh, about 6 months, but it’s definitely possible. Keep a sharp eye!
March 24, 2010 at 7:58 am
AmyG
My trusty serger is now 20 years old and I couldn’t imagine not having one for finishing seams and making the inside look as good as the outside, not to mention sewing knits opened a whole new realm of sewing to me.
March 24, 2010 at 9:29 am
Catherine
Just bit the bullet this weekend on the most basic model and am dying to get some knits put through that sucker! Do it!
March 24, 2010 at 10:31 am
Jana
Hmm, I wanted one too, but I don´t now… I figured that my mother and grandmother made many (much more that I can probably manage) clothes in their lifetime, beautifuly done without the serger… I won ´t take the clothes I make to the grave with me, so… I´m ok if the edges fall apart in 20years :).
March 24, 2010 at 11:08 am
CGCouture
You won’t regret it if you buy one! I have the Imagine, but would also check into the Elna 434 for the coverstitch feature. Be darn sure you stay in budget–that’s the most important thing to remember.
March 24, 2010 at 11:26 am
hoosiermama
In a recent project involving a medium-weight, but very drapey knit, I discovered my Elna’s variable presser foot pressure. With the pressure dialed down to zero and an excellent stretch stitch (a zigzag sewn at such an acute angle the diagram looks like a lightening bolt), I got stretchy seams that did not pucker.
Regarding serger lust, I’ve never wanted one. I’ve never understood people who say they serge because they “want the inside to look as good as the outside.” I think overcast seams look cheap. I am very particular (obsessive?) about finishing the inside of my garments. If they’re not lined, the only seam finishes that are good enough are french seams, flat felled seams, Hong Kong finish, or binding with bias tape. I will grudgingly do an overcast stitch on a knit, if nothing else seems feasible, but on that drapey knit above I managed to do (stretchy) french seams and bound the armholes with a strip of bias organza.
March 24, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Skitzo Leezra Studio
http://crafts-sewing.hsn.com/brother-4-3-2-serger-with-built-in-threader-cd_p-3309324_xp.aspx?web_id=3309324&ocm=sekw
(Saw this on tv just last night)
You can get one to your house for only $75!
HSN Price: $299.95 or 4 payments of $74.98 Free Shipping & Handling
It’s the same one I have and I love it!
March 24, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Tasia
I couldn’t live without mine! I never once have had buyer’s remorse about my serger and I’ve had it for years. Threading them can be a pain, but worth it for the tidy finishing. Plus, you can do handy things like rolled hems with a serger too.
March 25, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Christie
You need a serger
It will change your sewing life
I love my serger
Hint: think Bernina
March 25, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Christie
Another hint- don’t buy a cheap serger. It will just frustrate you and drive you nuts. It is important to get one that will keep a constant tension and thread balance. I have had my original serger for years. It is a workhorse and never lets me down. I have it serviced once a year and it just keeps on running. I sewed on a hand me down Singer that didn’t even have a reverse stitch for years. I made everything under the sun on that machine, but let me tell you, I would not trade my computerized machine and my serger for anything in the world. My sewing time is a fraction what it used to be, and everything is finished beautifully. No one asks me anymore if I made my outfit. Everything looks that good.
March 27, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Tanya
Several years ago, I found a used serger (Bernina, basic one) at a garage sale for $80–a wonderful investment. Maybe ebay? (Craigslist can be iffy, I’ve burned a few times….)
March 30, 2010 at 9:13 pm
TracyB
I had to divorce my first serger; he had too many rules
and made impossible demands. But it’s heaven now with
Babylock Evolve who always maintains his tension and lets
me thread in any order.