Brother 1034D 3/4 Lay-In Thread Serger

Review Brother 1034D 3/4 Lay-In Thread Serger

brother 1034d review

Ideal for sewing decorative and finishing stitches on linens, formal wear, and stretchy fabric, this 3/4 serger from Brother includes 22 built-in stitch functions and interchangeable creative feet. Stitch functions include 3-thread overlock, 4-thread overlock, narrow hemming, rolled hemming, and ribbon lock. The machine can also be used to form gentle gathers, join laces, sew spaghetti straps, and create fabric flowers for formal gowns. Its color-coded set up is convenient, quick, and straightforward, and the foot pedal offers sensitive speed control. For added efficiency and precision, the machine includes stitch width control, outside differential feed control, lay-in threading, the F.A.S.T. lower looper threading system, and an easy-to-remove stitch finger for narrow or rolled edges. It calls for standard sewing machine needles, and its flat surface converts to free arm for pant hems and cuffs.
The serger comes with a full set of starter accessories, including a soft cover, a blind hem/multipurpose guide foot, a gathering foot, and a set of needles. A removable trim trap and a cleaning brush keep operation tidy. Additional feet are available separately for creating blind hem, pin tuck, and flat lock stitching. Brother includes a thorough instruction booklet with this model as well as CD-ROMs for operation tips and techniques. The machine carries a five-year limited warranty. --Emily Bedard

Product Description

brother 1034d serger accessories

The Brother 1034D Serger features a 3/4 lay-in thread system with lower looper threader. Stitch options include 4 thread overlock, 3 thread overlock, narrow hem, rolled hem, and ribbon lock stitches. Additionally you can sew blind hem, pin tuck and flat lock stitches by purchasing optional presser feet. The machine has a free arm/flat bed convertible sewing surface. The 1034D also offers a F.A.S.T. lower looper threading system for easy thread changes. The differential feed improves sewing results on stretch or thin fabrics to give you a perfect finish. Snap-on presser feet allow quick and easy changes to transition to each desired stitch. The 1034D also includes an instructional video tape to make serging fast easy and fun.

3/4 lay-in thread Serger with 22 built-in stitches and interchangeable feet
Includes 3- and 4-thread overlock; narrow hemming; rolled hemming; and ribbon lock
F.A.S.T. lower looper threading system; outside differential feed; uses standard sewing machine needles; numerous accessories included
Free arm/flat bed convertible sewing surface; foot pedal speed control
90 day limited warranty

Product Reviews

Brother 1034D 3/4 Lay-In Thread Serger

By Sewcrazy

brother 1034d serger

I've been sewing since I was 6 years old. I make fashions for myself and others. However, I've secretly feared "the serger" for years. I've quietly been hiding my fear by avoiding wearing any of the knitwear I've made. My conventional machine is a top of the line Viking with many features yet I've never been happy with finished look of knits made on any conventional machine. They just can't match yet alone exceed the look of RTW knits. The purpose of my lengthy introduction is to support my high rating of this entry-level serger. I had no problem dropping $1500 for a conventional machine but was not prepared to make such a big investment for something I might hate. I'm an experienced seamstress who's obviously missed the boat on the necessity of a serger. Before choosing this serger I did my research. I've read reviews here on Amazon and several other sites about it taking into consideration everything users had to say. Many people wrote about the user's manual and software and were disappointed it them. I was so excited when it arrived that I didn't even look at the software. I read the manual, removed the sample thread, re-threaded it, and was serging in 30 minutes!! Everything on the machine is marked by color and number. Try to forget every frightening thing you've ever hear about it and jump in. I think the fear factor has made many seamstresses look for monsters in the loopers and needs. My ONLY problem has been that I'm used to the presser foot lifter being on the left not the right..big deal. Biggest thing to remember is to thread it in order no matter what. Few people want to change thread but if you take your time and literally follow the numbers, you'll be serging a sample in 5 minutes. I've tested scraps of every type of fabric I could think of and made the adjustments as the book describes and everything's been perfect. Yes, it's a bit loud but putting a rubber mat underneath it helps a lot. I was lucky enough to get a new one on Amazon for approximately $180 delivered. It's worth every penny and more. I'm only mad at myself for waiting so long to enter the world of serging. It's cut my construction time in half. I won't be buying any RTW knits anymore. I've had it for a week and I've completed 3 projects though I work full-time. I've gushed enough, gotta sew.

By Kathleen "Kathleen" (East Liberty, OH USA)

brother 1034d serger manual

18 months ago I purchased a Brother 1034d serger for my business. I have been using this machine consistantly (2 - 3 hours each day) with no problems. I've been so impressed with its performance and reliability that I purchased a second Brother 1034d last week. Threading is easy, motor is quiet and adjusting tension is a breeze. I highly recommend this machine if you want an inexpensive and reliable "work horse".

By Jamie Jaques "TheRedSweater.com" (Portland, OR USA)
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.

brother 1034d review

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)

brother 1034d serger manual

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)

brother 1034d serger accessories

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.

brother 1034d serger accessories

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.