I don’t have a serger, but chiming in to say that l’ll probably still be railing about Joann’s closing when I go to my grave. The convenience in distance, hours, variety, supplies…

petalique, an online search came up with many sources. I know nothing about sewing and maybe the hits I got aren't what you're looking for. Try it and see what you find.

If the thread is just for testing, does it matter what color it is? If the Wal-Mart isn't too far out of the way, I'd do that. I've bought the cones there, and they were fine.

Thanks, the Walmart had more than just white. I don’t use a serger often, and I have figured out how to thread a long while ago. But these days, w back and neck pain, a messy house and guy that is reluctant to help much, I don’t have much patience.

The seller is selling her mother’s sewing machines because the mom has dementia and no longer sews. Sad. The equipment looks good. Best to test it since a few hundred $.

I have in the past bought sewing machines and a serger, untested. If someone has a very low price, I just cross my fingers, pay and leave. I have been lucky.

Now, I need to rehome some of my extra inventory. DH is good about running errands and shopping, even doing returns. But I wish he’d roll up his sleeves, do house maintenance, pick things up & put them away.

I am still trying to figure out what might be going on with him. Not necessarily ” new” behavior, but annoying. Sigh, national news CHAOS. Home, chaos-y cuz someone is obtuse, numb, oblivious. Good natured unless I suggest he help pick up, clean, paint, install, repair.

He can do things. He even figured out a broken electric smoker, a broken washer, that sort of thing. But slow. Not at all a self-starter, un-motivated.

Says we can afford gutters, but will not show me how. ahem. Passive personality. Apathetic.

He has to find a PCP. I may have to do that, help him find a good one. I just found one for me —- I’ll have to see. Low ratings, but she seems alert and aware. Our previous doc seemed to have gotten burned out by da system (“This is a system?”)

I often order from Wawak, and I've found that they often have better selections than Amazon - and often have better prices. Anyway, I generally check there first. I also bought a Brother serger from Wawak that I like quite a bit.

I do not have a self-threading serger, but I've noticed that they cost three times as much as the regular ones, and so I'll just stick with what I have. I have a fairly new Brother serger, which I believe cost $400 new, and I have another serger that I've had since 1987, and it still works, but I don't remember the brand it is.

Carabubble, I will rail with you. I miss being able to run out for sewing impulse items (where you can/could bank on them being in stock. Zippers, D-rings, thread, blunt, larged-eyed darning needle for repairing a loose 3” thread/yarn on a towel….

Petalique, Do you have a store near you that sells new and used sewing machines? Or maybe a quilting shop? Some of those often have basic items such as thread, bobbins, etc.

No. I could/should be the used sewing machine vendor. There are / was a couple of quilt shops. I just remember, I forgot to get in touch w the serger seller (she was away for the weekend.

Lars, I remember when you got your Brother serger. A lot of people like that one.

The jet threading Baby Lock serger is about that same price. I think it will be a good thing. Rain tomorrow. We need rain, but it won’t be as much fun driving.

" I want it for tomorrow so that I can test out a used Baby Lock serger. I suppose I could rob Peter, pay Paul with my Juki serger. But then I’d have to rethread the Juki and its been years and there is no manual. "

Can you not unthread the Juki and take step by step photos to help re thread it?

There are likely youtube videos on how to rethread your Juki. I have no idea about models, but this one came up. Threading a Juki (link to video).

Thanks, yes. Who knows how I threaded it years ago. The controller (pedal) has gone AWOL. I am pretty mechanically inclined and can usually intuit things like sewing machines, gadgets. Sergers usually have a color-coded (here and there) thread path. It is the leaning over, craning my neck, headlamp on. But, indeed, those YouTube videos help a lot. We’ve repaired many things with YT University. I need to get some serger tweezers/forceps. I use a headlamp sometimes.

A few weeks ago, I spent a lot of time watching sewing videos to escape. Zipper pouches, PJs,

PS Oly, that Juki is very similar to mine. I think I only paid $45 for it along with something else. Bought from CL untested. It is a good machine (I cleaned and oiled it).

PPS I watched the video — it’s coming back to me ;)

That video shows what a nightmare it is to thread a serger.

Do you have the needle threader that the video shows? That looks like a good tool, but I do not see a link to it, even though she says there is one in the description.

You could call the seller. There may be some thread in the machine already left by the previous user.

Thanks, floral_uk.

Lars, I have had those tweezers on a list of sewing parts and accessories to buy.

Here is a link for a modest pair:

https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/products/overlock-machine-tweezer-6in-twe7

There is often a 10% coupon, so look for that. I have ordered from this store before and have been very satisfied. They have many helpful items, so I have to restrain myself.

Or as I have been thinking all this time the seller probably has thread.

patriciae

@Lars

https://123stitch.com/item/Dritz-Machine-Needle-Inserter-and-Threader/DRITZ-253

This looks like what I think you’re asking about.

I figured she would have thread someplace, but the sewing machines are her mother’s and probably just swept up, boxed and moved. Her mom has not been able to sew for a long while. She told me that there was no thread at her house. Images of the machine show no thread. The machines have not been used for some time (so likely dry).

I will just bring thread (got some), SM oil, reading glasses, fabric, scissors, flashlight and a SM lint brush.

Lars, good find. I want one of those.

I looked for a video to see how the Dritz needle threader works and found this:

foodonastump, Thanks for that link - I think I will order one.

Thanks, Lars.

I went to pick up that serger yesterday. Hot and humid. The seller had it set up, sans thread, and with all the directions on a table outside.

Although I brought thtead, oil, fabric, it was hot. The machine looked whistle clean. she told me that her (now very ill) mother was a very accomplished seamstress. She bought only top of the line and had it serviced at a large reputable sewing machine dealer.

She told me she had tested the Jet feed threading. The machine looked great. clean. quiet when she turned it on.

I gave her ~$400 which is s good price.

She is also selling her mom’s BL Elegante for a super great price with lots of feet snd attachments. I was very tempted!

Very nice woman. We arranged that if I find something seriously amiss w it I cancer return it. But I

’m sure it will be fine. I will test it soon.

The machine sounds really nice. Glad you got it!!!! Our Hobby Lobby has a HUGE sewing section...with everything! Even their prices are fantastic! (My Brother sewing machine has that needle threader built-into it...so does my Bernina.)

With the Baby Lock sergers, you thread it through the tensioners, then guide the thread/s to the jet ports, put the thread a bit into the proper hole snd press a lever. Whoosh! Threaded.

I collect, tune up, rehome mostly all metsl vintage sewing machines. They will work forever. However, I have found room in my heart and SMachine galley for some of the higher end computerized plastic machines.

I like gadgets, and love the computer check sounds and neeps and features. You can easily regulate the stich widrhs snd lengths. The make a very clean straight stitch. And I am in love with the self threading and esoecislly to auto cutting feature. If you get a machine eith this, pay heed to the caveats notes in the instructions and online video tutorials.

For sewing denim and thick materials, you can’t beat the all metal mechanical analog vintage sewing machines.

I’ve got some desirable collectibles and some Kenmore 158- , sews through cows machines that are workhorses.

No beeps. But they are easy to maintain, fun to use and dependable.

I need and want to re-home some of them.

@petalique..What was your last sewing project? What do you sew with your serger?

I just received my three pieces of Sunbrella fabric. I plan on making a seat cover and shade-cover for my DH's new riding zero turn lawn mower. Should be a well received project...:0) I purchased a grey & Dark navy to make a two tone cover....My machine can't copy the BOBCAT logo...I'll just write the model # on the back of the seat cover....or "Bobcat". I could "hand embroider" the logo....? It'll be a Winter project.

I would love to be as skilled ad you, Lars and orhers. Sadly, I am a hack.

Long ago, in the 60s when people often were too stoned to nitice if stitching was straight, sleeves were the same length, etc., I made a few causual dresses from cotton. Hippie-ish. I even put in zippers. This all on my $99 Singer Featherweight.

Now, I am always fatigued or uncomfortable and fon’t have the ability to focus. I PATCH and Mend things like gardening pants. Nothing pretty I do meed to stich ip some curtains — NOT drapes. ;) Just muslin curtains with hooked on rings that gp over a dowel. easier tjan tab curtains.

You are bery talented and industrious — I have read and seen. I bow down!

I typed a response. it Poofed.

later…

I have a Baby Lock Eclipse -- probably 25 years old, but I like it MUCH better than the Price Club-sold Singer that I'd had for 10 years before that. (I inherited the Eclipse from my aunt, who also had top-of-the-line sewing machines.) . When you thread a Baby Lock, you put 1" into the air-threader but make SURE that 18" of thread is loosened from the cone before you press the lever to air-thread!

As for thread, Wawak has been great for me, and Hobby Lobby (along with 3 fabric stores about 20 miles from me in the Mennonite area) have been the biggest help. I haven't resorted to mail order fabric except once (SAS California, who were SLOW). I recently mail ordered things from Amazon, though, just not fabric. Usually notions. However, HL and the Mennonite-owned stores are all closed on Sundays, so I have to do without until Monday if I suddenly am short of something.

Like others here, I miss Joann's a lot. Everything I had to order from Amazon was something I could have driven to Joann's to get. And they were open on Sundays.

Donna

Re-threading my serger makes me question all of my life choices 😢 Sooner or later, I get the machine to work, but never understand how I did it. I miss JoAnn’s too for the little things, but IMHO, their stores began to change a decade ago. Less fabric and more crafts. Walmart carries thread, but it seems they have dropped the Coats & Clark brand and have some no name brand now.