dragonfax wrote:The comparable 4423 sells on amazon for $130. I think the Serger is the only thing they're giving a good deal on. And most people don't need it.
Anyone who knows their way around a sewing machine and uses one often actually does need a serger, especially if sewing clothing. You can stitch together anything on a regular machine, but to get the item to last through wear and multiple washings, and to have it look store-bought, the seams should be finished/reinforced with a serger.
Sewing side seams with a serger is a LOT faster for me than using a regular machine. They come out neater and more professional-looking and will never unravel.
I used mine to help sew the seams on the kayak sling I made of nylon for my hub to hang from the garage ceiling. It will never come apart!
Oh, yes, many years ago when some of us ladies learned to sew, sergers were only used in clothing factories. As home sewers became more sophisticated, machine companies finally got smart and starting making them for home use. Anyone who thinks a person who sews doesn't need a serger is not really serious about sewing.
Most of you guys have at LEAST two screw drivers, right, a Phillips and a flat? I bet you have a lot more than that. Do you have more than one kind of hammer? They are for different uses in construction and repair. Same with the two different sewing machines. Hey, even I have two kinds of electric staplers, upholstery and multi-purpose, plus two kinds of nail guns, and so on.
I am a woman who loves good tools. I know there's a right tool for every job, and if you don't have the right one, your finished product will suffer.
That having been said, this set would be suitable for a beginner-type sewer, not a person who's had years of experience, unless they absolutely could not afford a better set of machines. If one can afford it, higher quality machines will keep the user from becoming frustrated and quitting.
Just like with "man tools", higher quality sewing machines are easier to use, usually less irritating to deal with and do a neater job with less effort. I have not tried these particular machines, just giving general advice. If my husband bought these for me for Christmas, I'd be reselling them soon on eBay. They are not the quality I demand and expect in my tools.
Singer in general does not live up to it's reputation of the past, but like I said, this is a great price for a beginner set.
I would not try to sew heavy leather and fabrics on this machine, and especially not in a fast manner, or you're likely to break a plastic gear. Although you could get the job done slowwwwly, this is not designed for heavy-duty use and you would likely be frustrated with the lack of neatness in the final product since this low-end machine is not designed to power through such work.
Sewing very slow tends to give a less neat product on heavy fabrics/leather, and with vinyl/leather you get only one chance to run it through the machine. It's not like fabric where you can remove the stitches and not see where the holes were. Leather may not feed through the machine as smoothly as expected, and the needle holes would hit closer together, punching holes in the leather so close together it becomes perforated enough to tear along the stitching. Just my advice.
One reason the way older machines were better is because they had metal gears inside and were far more durable. They would stand up to heavy use and heavy fabrics and being run at full speed. They had more power without straining to push through heavy work. I will date myself, but I've been sewing with machines since 1965.
I hope that helps!
