Brother 1034D Serger Overlock Sewing Machine

Love this Brother serger. Super easy to work with. Low noise level and one of the easiest sergers to thread. .Great quality and reliable due to it’s heavy-duty metal frame it’s the best money I’ve spent!

I can't believe how simple this machine is to work with - everyone seems to think a serger is a mysterious machine - nope - the process is simple and if you think about the process of threading you will come to understand how the machine forms its weave. The instruction is straight forward for threading. Broke a needle within a short time, reloaded with new needles - that was a bit tricky for me - almost 74 and with arthritis and bent fingers... but I am working a workaround imitating a needle holder for 2. I had the machine sewing almost immediately after unboxing, once I loaded my stock spools of serger thread it was no looking back. It comes with four colors of thread preloaded - good for teaching and understanding stitch patterns. I have no fear of the machine 'breaking' it's solid. just don't dump it off the table or drop or crush it I mean! The mast is a bit iffy for solidity but if you are a mindful sewist this will present no problem - Buy one or sit wondering about all the wonderful things you 'could do'. Just BUY IT and DO. For the price I kick myself for not having bought one years ago!

I wish I would have bought this years ago. It is so easy to use. It comes pre-threaded so you can tie new thread right on the old one and thread easily! This machine is a game changer!

I've been sewing less than a year and this is the 1st serger I have had success with. I was able to start serging right out of the box because it came threaded but when my threads ran low I was able to successfully rethread my machine without an issue. My advise to anyone new to serging is to get this machine and take photos and video of everything when you get it so if you get at all confused about how to thread it you can check your photos. Everything is color-coded and the thread paths are printed right on the machine but having the photos of all my original settings and threadings has helped me. I am so happy with this purchase. In many ways it is easier to use than my regular sewing machine which is also a brother. Having the two machines makes me really excited about what I can create now.

I think if you're looking at this machine, you're either a) new to serging or b) impressed by the price and interested in the quality. I'm completely new to sergers, but I did my homework before buying this one, and for the price and the performance, this serger has a perfect balance. I was also concerned about being able to figure out how to use it on my own (so many people talk about taking a class) but within a day I felt like I knew it inside and out. It's setup is uncomplicated and I was able to get right to work. There's something to be said about passing over the machine that can "do it all" and buying one that just does what you need. 1) The "how-to" videos are wonderful for the visual learner. You can pick up the same knowledge from the thorough instruction book(s) included, but the videos reinforce the book. Watching the video on "threading" once, and following the line drawings on the machine itself, I was able to thread the machine in 5 minutes. (It's really not that hard - it's all color coded and the steps are numbered, but the videos help) 2) Included are two additional feet, one for a blind hem/flatlock and another for gathering ruffles as you sew. Together, they themselves are an $60 value. The feet are "snap-on" (when I read about that online I instantly thought of breakable plastic, but the feet are primarily metal with some plastic pieces on the blind hem foot) - the "snap-on" construction is very easy to use and solid (i.e. nothing is going to snap OFF over time) 3) It's very easy to set the tension and the manual has a very clear chart on troubleshooting uneven stitches (with 4 threads, there are multiple things that can be off with the tension). 4) The company description says that it does 22 stitch functions, which I think is a little misleading (it does the basic stuff and they show different applications for the basics). THIS IS WHAT IT DOES: 1. 3/4-thread overlock (uses 4 threads; best for use with knits or upholstery fabric) 2. 3-thread overlock (general use) in two widths - 3mm (using only the right needle) and 5mm (using only the left) 3. Rolled hem (great for edges of napkins, pajama bottoms, frilly skirts, etc) 4. Flatlock stitch (decorative or flat seams) 5. Blind hem THIS IS WHAT IT DOESN'T DO: 1. Coverlock stitch (stretchy stitch with two straight lines on the front of the fabric). If you're sewing for yourself (i.e. not selling what you make), you can fake this stitch on your regular zigzag sewing machine with a twin needle. It's not quite the same, but close enough for me. 2. Chain stitch (a semi-straight stitch, similar to a regular sewing machine but easier to rip out (i.e. good for basting) and a good reinforcement for upholstery) Other sergers I looked at that did the coverlock stitch in addition to overlock, etc. had complicated and time consuming adjustments to be made to switch to the coverlock. If you're going to use it a lot, consider getting a separate machine that does it (the Brother model is 2340CV). The one feature the 1034D is missing for me is the ability to do a 3-thread overlock and a chain stitch at the same time - good for upholstery but something available only on a 5 thread machine. 5) Nice little things: 1. You have the option of using regular thread spools (cheaper and smaller if you don't need 1000 yards x 4 of whatever color you're buying) 2. You use regular needles - so you can use them in both your regular sewing machine and your serger 3. It's really easy to control speed with the foot pedal - very responsive 4. Disabling the knife (that trims your fabric as you sew) is done with just the flick of a switch 5. Differential feed allows you to sew any thickness of fabric, line up stripes evenly, etc.

Although I got my first sewing machine 33 years ago I never considered a serger until I wanted to make leotards for my daughter. I opted for this inexpensive machine because I thought it wouldn't be too much money lost if I didn't like it. I wish I would have gotten it a long time ago. It comes pre-threaded and it was very easy to start using it immediately. When I endeavored to change the thread it got a bit tricky. Threading the lower looper is the hardest part. Sergers are complicated machines. The manual is good when trouble shooting tension problems. The threading was still a bit hard even following the manual closely. I haven't used the included videos too much but my husband helped me and he said that he had better luck with You Tube tutorials than he did with the included video. The tie-off threading method is usually pretty successful. Since I have never tried any self-threading models I'm not sure if that feature is worth the extra money. It didn't come with the elastic foot so I bought it separately since I sew leotards. I haven't had much luck using that foot yet. It works great just doing samples but it is hard to control the exact fullness desired with a specific length of elastic/fabric. I ended up giving up on the "elasticator" and instead baste the elastic into the leg openings with my conventional machine to place the fullness exactly where it is needed and then overlock it in place using wooly nylon in the loopers. I think this is a great machine for the money and would highly recommend it. I might consider someday upgrading to a serger that has a coverstitch option. I think this machine is definitely worth the money and a good place to start.

I adore this. I have never owned a serger and this was simple and easy. You must oil before the first use. Make sure to buy sewing machine oil specifically. I got singer brand oil and it works great. You can see the oiling instructions in the back of the manual. Read rhetorical manual first. I found that the threads are illustrated by the dials, making it easy to identify a tension issue when sewing. Refer to the illustration on the machine and look at the stitches and you will want to play around with the dials on practice fabric prior to your project. I ordered extra needles, I got stretch needles and they work great for my projects. I got this about two months ago and it was been perfect. It is sturdy and it is smaller than expected. I love it. I opted for this one over the cheaper version because it had a few more features and it’s easier to thread from scratch. I actually had an easy time threading the machine. It have photos and it’s simple. I watched a few YouTube videos and it works great. You can actually use less thread and remove a needle to do different finishes. This can do a lot more than cut fabric and finish edges. Perfect for sewing bikini’s and dog toys and alternating garments. My man got this for me so I’m not sure if it is a good price, but I really like it and I use it daily and have only needed to oil once so far so that’s one intitial oil and one maintenance oil in two months with daily use. Since it cuts fabric you must clean the dust out every two or three projects depending on how fluffy the thread and Fabric is. The pedal and power are on the same cord, different from my sewing machine. It is also very heavy and the handle is not the best. It’s a little harder to move around. Pick a spot for it and leave it there. You do not wanna drop this! Con’s: Loud Shakes the whole table Gets hot quickly Heavy Lack of good handle Pros: Bright light Easy to use Easy to thread Sturdy Easy to oil Reliable Easy to maintain

I have been intimidated for years about buying a Serger machine. My first hurdle was the high price but after finding the 1034D along with it's great customer feedback and very affordable price offered by Amazon, I was able to overcome that hurdle. My second intimidation was mostly that serger machines looked complicated especially the threading portion. Well, I wasted all those years bogged down in my own -- unwarranted -- intimidation. The Brother 1034D 3 or 4 Thread Serger was easy to use RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX. I appreciated that it came pre-threaded so that I could practice a little before I had to try to thread the machine on my own (be forewarned -- the included thread does not last long). As I understand the world of sergers, this is a very simple machine and therefore only does some of the basic functions (4-thread serging, 3-thread serging, blind stitching, etc.). It will NOT sew a regular seam while sergering the edge concurrently (apparently you need a 6-thread, or larger Serger). For my purposes, this machine is perfect. My only complaint lies not with the machine itself; but with the instructional DVDs (I did not let this complaint carryover into my 5 star rating). I could find no way to make the video expand to full screen so I had to tried to 'squint' my eyes to try to see some of the necessary details of threading. Rather than try to learn how to thread this machine by using the included DVD, let me recommend a VERY good YouTube video (by Candice Ayala) that did a much better job of showing you the up-close detail of threading the machine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ1ycPZTdOo&list=PLRYJimUvBQAKzLmBMx8QPiGdW-HQ112Xa&index=1 I also took her recommendation to label the machine (see her video). I have only had this machine for less than a week but have been putting it through the paces. I had to rethread the machine almost immediately but was able to do it fairly easily and correctly the first time I tried (again, thanks to Candice's video). It has performed flawlessly and has transformed my projects from looking untidy to looking professionally finished which is important to me. I can also feel reassured that my projects will not continue to unravel. While the included DVDs are too small to pick up on small details, I would still recommend that you watch both DVDs as they do offer so good suggestions (like how to finish off at the end of a seam).

Excellent product

She is perfect!🤍

Great fun to use and a great choice if you want to try out a serger. Have used it for small projects and it is easy to set up and use. Threading looks intimidating but it is pretty easy -- just follow the instructions in the manual or the references on the machine. After using this, I don't think I would bother with an automatic threading machine - manual threading is not a problem. I love the rolled hem operation -- you remove the left needle, remove a finger in the mechanism, set the settings, and go; I love the finished stitch as it can almost look like piping, depending on your thread. Thread tension is easy to set and the settings hold -- have had no problems with thread tension. A great little machine and completely meets my needs for crafting and men's shirts. Highly recommend all Brother machines - while I collect and use vintage machines, Brothers are my go-to when I want to focus on getting things done without having to fiddle with vintage character and quirks.

Me gustó mucho esta maquina y ya la llevo usando algunos meses, sin fallas y me encanta que se enhebra fácil, le doy un 10

After researching overlockers on line, this model got the best rating overall for people just starting out with overlockers. I can't claim any great expertise, but this is a great machine. It is simple to operate and, most importantly, to thread, as this seems to be the biggest problem most people have. It comes with a very clear operating manual which covers all the important points and, even better, a DVD which actually demonstrates how it all works. Early days for me, but so far, I have managed to successfully accomplish basic sewing and have easily rethreaded the machine. It has a lot of features which are going to be very useful as I gain experience. I am not currently using it to its full potential, but that is down to my limitations, not those of the machine. I would recommend this overlocker to anyone who wants a foolproof basic machine.