SINGER Sewing Machine 14J250 Stylist II Serger Overlock Machine with 2-3-4 Thread Capability and Differential Feed

I really like this machine. For the price this is an excellent deal. I only gave it 4 stars, as I have used very high quality sergers in the past, so I know this isn't perfect, but if you are looking to get a starter serger or just need one for home sewing, this is a good deal.I had originally planned to buy a very expensive machine, but needed to save some money so I cut my budget in half. When I was looking at machines I came across the Viking 200s serger, which was about $600-700 (about what I was looking to spend), however that is still a lot of money, and that machine didn't have all the features I had really wanted so I was reluctant to take the plunge. I did some internet research and discovered that this machine was similar if not identical (I don't have both machines so can't compare side by side- they are made from the same parent company under different brands, same look and features, my guess is they use some better materials for the viking for the higher price). For a little over $200 the singer had all the features that I liked about the Viking at more than half the cost. I felt better about spending that on something I didn't 100% love, then the $700 the store wanted for the Viking.I have been pleasantly surprised at the quality of the machine for the price. It's not the babylock I coveted, but it does the job, and a good job at that. I like that it similar to the White sergers I have used in the past where the front completely opens up. This makes it easier to see and thread the lower loopers. I like how easy it is to access and change the stitch fingers (though I haven't needed to change mine yet). And with some help (manual and colored threads) it's easy to adjust the tension to get it just right. I like the flip up cutter and use it constantly, a feature the babylock machines I've used doesn't have. The machine is sturdy and looks like it will last a long time if cared for. My only complaints are: the thread holder seems a bit flimsy and fragile- just moving it up and down gently it feels like it could get bent or broken easily, it could use brighter lighting, and the front of the machine doesn't always close perfectly the first time. All pretty minor things, and probably only bug me because I am used to working with higher quality sergers.It does come threaded and the tensions should be set appropriately to start using right out of the box. I used mine once before my 2 year old found it and changed all my settings. I'd suggest taking a picture of the tension dials when it's set properly. It took me about 5 months before I had time to sit down and readjust mine because I didn't do that. I'd recommend threading the machine with different colors so you can easily see which threads need to be adjusted. The manual has pictures as to what is wrong with the tension for each thread, so use the manual if you are trying to figure out your tensions for the first time.I have only used the 4 thread overlock so far, but it does a good job once the machine is properly threaded and the tensions are correct. I recently used this to sew a christening gown with delicate lace and crepe satin and it looked lovely. If you just want a serger for home sewing and edge finishing this a good one for the money. I know a lot of people buy the brother that is a similar price, but I think this one is a lot easier to thread since you can open it completely. Since I plan on sewing professionally I will not use this forever, but it will get the job done until I can get a more professional quality machine.

Excelente máquina de uso doméstico, se pueden hacer trabajos a nivel profesional.

I surprised my wife by getting her a serger, even though she had told me she didn't really need or want one. Truth be told, it was only that she was a little intimidated by sergers in general, concerned that they were too complicated for her to learn. So anyway I ignored her and after reading all the positive reviews, bought a Brother 1034d here on Amazon. After she got over her surprise, she really liked the Brother machine, and was able to thread and use it pretty easily. But within an hour or two I found out that the Brother machine didn't have a couple of features that she would have liked, one of them being a thread/chain cutter, so I found the Singer 14j250 on Amazon and ordered it for her with the idea that she could compare the two machines and keep the one she liked the best. As I said before, she liked the Brother machine, but when she first saw the Singer and used it, she was immediately sold on it over the Brother. I have to say I agree with her. While the Brother machine is well reviewed and seems to be a great value, the Singer is quite a bit heavier and seems to sew more smoothly. I don't sew, so take my opinion for what it's worth, but the Singer looks and sounds like a much more solidly built machine for not that much more money, and I think the way the entire front of the machine opens up to allow for threading and cleaning is a great feature also. The Singer also has metal parts in places where the Brother uses plastic which speaks well for its durability over time. The one thing the Brother has that the Singer does not is a free arm feature, so that's a consideration. Both machines are easy to use, as my non-mechanical wife has proven - if she can figure out how to use these machines, anyone can. However, for my money, the Singer is a better machine - shoot, it even looks better! Now that my wife has a serger, she informs me that she will be using it all the time! So much for "not wanting" one, eh? :-)If you want a reasonably priced, well engineered and easy to use serger, I can enthusiastically recommend the Singer 14j250. My wife loves hers.Update: It turns out that I was wrong in my assessment of this machine. The first one had a defect and quit working almost immediately, and the replacement machine broke after only 3 weeks of light use. I'm going to return this machine, for the second time! and buy the Brother. The Singer looks great, but in our case has proved to be fatally unreliable. Thank goodness for Amazon's unbelievably good return policy.