Quantumlock Serger by Singer 14T967DC

I too purchased this machine with great trepidation. I've had my White for almost 15 years which I love dearly. I decided to try the Singer because the cover stitch would be (I thought) a real time-saver. Well, aside from the other comments above, I do not like the fact that there are no numbers for tension adjustment - you just "guess" - maybe I'm too picky but I like to have my tension exact so I get a good solid stitch. My White tells you what the tension should be for each needle and looper for the different stitches. Secondly, I do not like the fact that I cannot access the left side of the machine. I finally figured out the lever system that threads the loopers that are not visible, but I found myself very leery of this system since if something goes wrong, well, who knows? You can't see inside. Plus, how can you really get the lint out of that area? In addition, every time I changed the plastic plate for cover stitch or to use the knife, I felt like any one of t... Read more

I purchased this serger because of the coverstitch capability. I currently have a 2/3/4 serger and find I don't use it as much as I could because of issues with set up and tension. I took a chance on the Quantumlock and am very happy with it. I received the serger and studied the manual, which is none too great. Terminology is confusing and not explained or displayed really well. I did download the manual and Workbook from the Singer website. This is a must. First of all, with a second copy of the manual you can make all the notes you need where you need them without ruining the included manual. The Workbook is invaluable. The machine came threaded for the coverstich so I started there. I have been practicing each stitch by using the workbook and so far, all has been fine. The times I have had a problem was due to user error and not the machine, ie - I had the wrong needle placement when trying to do the chainstitch. If you take you time, it really works well. Also,... Read more

I received this serger as a Christmas gift (2006) from my loving husband, who only wanted me to own the best, top-of-the-line overlock machine. Today is January 10, 2007 and I still haven't figured out how to thread it. I spent 3 hours at the mom-and-pop sewing center this week with an employee, the store's "expert" on the Quantumlock. She was able to turn out two different types of stitches but was unable to show me more because she too could not figure out how to thread the machine. I am an expert seamstress; I have been sewing for 41 years and used to be an editor for a company that produces quilting books, so I certainly have spent a lot of time behind a sewing machine. Never have I seen a sewing machine so poorly designed as this one. It is darn near impossible to thread. The gears/hardware through which you have to pass the thread are so small and so close together that it is impossible to thread without using tweezers. But once you thread it (if you can--I've yet been able t... Read more

I think the machine itself is solid and works well when threaded properly. With 5 threads, you get all the stitches that can possibly be had on a serger. Additionally, I liked the one button tension setting. As with all 5-thread mechanical sergers, setup and threading can be challenging. If you have not used a serger before, there is a definite learning curve. Practice on scraps to start. Patience and close attention to the instruction details will be well rewarded with new skills and fine results with the least amount of frustration.. If patience and detail are not your thing, consider a simpler, less capable serger - something with fewer threads. As with most machines, the more it can do, the more complex the setup. To help you decide what machine to buy, I recommend getting Singer's "The New Sewing with a Serger" book for a good over view and guide. If possible, consider visiting a local dealer to actually touch and try out. the machine. However, I have to agree wi... Read more

I recieved this serger as a gift. There was no demo tape included. For $599, I would expect some type of colorful presentation to get you started. It had a boring tedious manual with it. I found the machine impossible to thread with the instructions given in the booklet. The only way I can make this serger work is to put the front needle threads down through the pressure foot hole (while back needle treads are pulled under the bridge toward the back)... AND the brown looper thread has to be feed up through the pressure foot plate where the front needles insert. This is exteremely awkward, time consuming, requires tweezers, magnifying glasses and a lamp...and seems wrong! But, it works. I feel I am circumventing something, but I dont' know what. I have purchased three books from Amazon(one by Singer which unknown to me did not include this lastest model serger) as well as gone on line to Singer web site only to end up in frustration. Finally I had to consult with the husband (engin... Read more