Brother 1034D Serger

If you mainly want a basic serger that can finish the raw edges of seams, you don't need to spend a lot on a fancy serger. Although the Brother 1034D is as basic as they come, hundreds of owners posting reviews to Amazon.com and Walmart.com are almost unanimously pleased with it. Most say they haven't had any big tension issues. We did read some sporadic complaints that the rolled-hem feature isn't consistent enough to be decorative. And although this serger sewing machine includes color-coded thread guides, learning to thread it can be a challenge. It's also questionable whether this Brother serger will work with unconventional threads (such as satin or metallic threads) or heavy/unusual fabrics since most owners aren't using it for anything beyond simple seam finishing. Still, you can't beat the price, and because this serger is easily available in discount stores and online, you don't have to deal with the sometimes high-pressure sales tactics of specialty dealers.

The Brother 1034D is one of the few serger sewing machines that has been extensively reviewed. Because it's available through major retail outlets such as Walmart.com and Amazon.com, owners have several places to post reviews.