Sergers and Sewing Questions

[Gamom3]

What is a good reasonable serger? Where should I look?

I want to start teaching my dd to sew. Is there a sewing curriculum out there or a very good book? I know only a little about sewing and would like to learn along with her...ideas?

[CalicoKat]

http://www.bunkhousesewing.com/site/934188/page/437264

This is my fav. book for teaching sewing! It's for absolute beginners. It comes with patterns and detailed directions for each pattern. All you need to add is a machine & materials.

They've got a 2nd book in their series for when you're ready to do more.

A great beginning.

[nuthouse]

Sounds like you both are pretty much in the beginners column. Invest in getting your sewing machine tuned up and in excellant working order. Invest in a very good steam iron, ironing board and tailor's ham. (I buy Rowenta irons only for my sewing needs.) Most importantly invest in a good pair of sewing shears and use them for sewing only. Please, Please do not buy Fiskars anything for sewing shears. Expect to spend good money for a livetimes investment on sewing shears. (Mine were by Weiss, bought years ago as a "coming of age" present from my mother.) Pressing and cutting accurately are more important skills than the seam fininshing power of a serger.

And I haven't figured out yet how to get post under the correct link in the thread. This should have gone under the original posters comment. I would look seriously at the book that Calico Cat linked to in her post. It sounds very interesting and up to date. I dislike sewing books with "sampler" or throw away projects. I would want my learners to have something cool enough to use from each of their sewing lessons.

[Faithseed]

I had been sewing for years before I bought a serger. You don't have to have one (but, boy are they handy!).

My hubby and I agreed to get a less expensive one to see if I enjoyed it. I bought the Janome 634D MyLock machine. It is a workhorse! Even after 4 years, I wouldn't trade it in! They are a couple of hundred dollars. BTW- Janome now makes the Kenmore brand, and you can buy them at Sears.

Patternreview.com has excellent reviews on various machines- a great resource.

I don't know of any curriculum, but I do own a couple of books. Readers Digest and Singer books are all good.

Mostly, I just learned to sew by sewing :) Get a good simple pattern (like a skirt). IMHO, Kwik Sew patterns are the best, but to start off, any 4 paneled, elastic skirt pattern will be fine.

I had no idea how to even thread a machine 7 years ago, and I now make all of the girl's clothes, and most of mine too. Don't get frustrated, and be willing to throw away things that look horrible. :)

Above all, have fun!

[CLHCO]

First, I completely second "stitches and pins". Very nice book for kids.

Second, I don't have a serger but I have my mom's here and we've been borrowing it for some time. She has always been very intimidated and never learned. I did instead and it works wonderfully. It's from Wal Mart and I can't remember the name but the price was very reasonable for something that does, indeed, work well.

I'm sure there are other far better ones out there but I only sew now and then, not expecting at this time in my life to learn to do fancy things with all the fancy attachments. I just want something to make clean seams. When the kids are grown and I have time for the fancy things, I'll get a nice one. Or if my mom gets ambitious about using hers I'll have to go get my own cheap one for now.

[Susan in IL]

They have several sewing levels and the books are good. I used them to teach my boys. Best of all, they are free!!

[Gamom3]

Sounds like you both are pretty much in the beginners column. Invest in getting your sewing machine tuned up and in excellant working order. Invest in a very good steam iron, ironing board and tailor's ham. (I buy Rowenta irons only for my sewing needs.) Most importantly invest in a good pair of sewing shears and use them for sewing only. Please, Please do not buy Fiskars anything for sewing shears. Expect to spend good money for a livetimes investment on sewing shears. (Mine were by Weiss, bought years ago as a "coming of age" present from my mother.) Pressing and cutting accurately are more important skills than the seam fininshing power of a serger.

And I haven't figured out yet how to get post under the correct link in the thread. This should have gone under the original posters comment. I would look seriously at the book that Calico Cat linked to in her post. It sounds very interesting and up to date. I dislike sewing books with "sampler" or throw away projects. I would want my learners to have something cool enough to use from each of their sewing lessons.


Years ago, I worked at a Carter's factory and sewed on a serger..where I fell in LOVE with them.

I have not sewn anything in years, just didn't have the time. My daughter wants to learn now, so I am looking for a good book to teach her and myself, since there are things I still don't know.

[Chels~]

Brother 1034d. Inexpensive yet durable. A real workhorse. Great for a starter. Not as quiet as higher ends, but I don't mind that. Bought mine off of Amazon.

[chickenpatty]

Quilting or fabric stores often have classes for beginners. My dds (ages 9 & 10) have been taking a beginners sewing class at a local quilting store. I am impressed with all they have learned! (I know how to sew, but I was too nervous about letting them use the machine. Now, they use it like a pro.)

[OnTheBrink]

Quilting or fabric stores often have classes for beginners. My dds (ages 9 & 10) have been taking a beginners sewing class at a local quilting store. I am impressed with all they have learned! (I know how to sew, but I was too nervous about letting them use the machine. Now, they use it like a pro.)


I taught myself how to sew, but when it came to my dd, I sent her to a sewing class. We have a Bernina dealer who has day classes for homeschoolers and it's been great!

I'd hold off on a serger for a bit, though.