If you want to take your knit sewing to the next level, it’s time to consider a serger. They make sewing knits so much faster! While I would love an air threading model with auto-tension, they are quite expensive.
Below are a few budget-friendly sergers.
- Brother 1034DX: The newest model of the popular 1034D. This serger is probably the most popular budget-priced serger around. There is even an active facebook group you can join for support! It does 3/4 thread stitching and runs about $200.
Singer ProFinish,Singer Stylist & Stylist II: The specs on these 3 machines look quite similar. All models are able to do 2/3/4 thread stitching and have a free arm. The reviews on these machines are either love or hate but may be a good deal if you find one cheap to see if you like it. I have a Stylist I picked up from a garage sale for $25. I find the threading to be fairly simple but the tension is very finicky. I have spent way too much time adjusting the tension dials for fabrics! But for only $25, I’m just happy to have a serger! You can find all these machines online for around $200 each.
Juki MO654DE: While this machine is not as popular as the others, people who have it really seam to like it! Note that this machine does not have a free arm like the Singers. At $350, it is more pricey than the others listed above.
Janome MOD-8933: If you’re a fan of Janome sewing machines, then check out this serger! This machine has 3/4 thread stitching but not a free arm. While I’ve heard mixed reviews, most people really like it.
I also picked up a Simplicy Serge Pro at a garage sale for $15 last year and I’ve liked it so far. It is harder to thread, especially the lower looper, than my Singer. I keep one machine threaded with black and the other with white so it matches most of what I sew. I really don’t like threading sergers, even though they really aren’t that bad, and hope to upgrade to an air thread and auto tension one day!
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