Serge it!

I love working with jersey fabrics but I'm tired of popping stitches and sewing the same seam 2+ times to finish it. So I bit the bullet and bought a serger.

The unfortunate thing is that there's not a lot of choices to choose from here in Canada, especially entry level ones.

I wanted the Brother 1034D due to great reviews, the price and my sewing machine is the same brand. Although it's available in the States (Walmart), it's not available here. I emailed Brother Canada and was told "I’m afraid we no longer sell the 1034D serger and thus why none of our retailers would still carry it. We have updated that line and the current model offered is the 3034D." How convenient, because the 3034D happens to cost at least 50% more than the 1034D. Grrrrr. Although I didn't mind paying shipping from the States, I didn't know how much duties and UPS "fee" would amount to and didn't want to risk it. I previously had a bad experience with UPS, where I bought a pair of shoes for $20, paid for shipping and the UPS bill cost me an additional $40!!

I called up a few sewing shops but was told an "entry level" serger costs $500+.

I tried Craigslist but all the good ones were either snatched up right away or lived in far away towns. I think sewing stores hoard the downtown ones.

In the end, there were only a couple of choices and I picked up the Singer 754 from Walmart. Although it didn't come with an instruction video, there are a few videos online.

There were some reviews about how the threading is difficult but the machine came pre-threaded! It's just a basic machine but does all I need it to do - finishing raw edges and sewing knit fabrics.

It's so fast!!! I love it but I just wished the Brother one was available too.

And now, I'm looking at the dresses I made before... Being a perfectionist, I am really tempted to re-finish the seams with serging but I know I could potentially ruin the dresses... what to do?