MO654DE, White

This is my fifth serger and, so far, my favorite. For the last five years I have mostly sewn on a Baby lock Imagine, and then a Baby Lock Evolve. These are excellent, very easy to use sergers, but very expensive. In addition, I found the Evolve, the one I used the most, had trouble going over thick seams. When the Evolve was getting serviced earlier this year I bought a vintage Juki (MO-104) and loved it but decided I needed a more modern one with differential feed and a rolled hem. This Juki has it all. It is very stable--never moves around when you're serging--has a wonderful knife set-up that cuts through anything smoothly, and has a beautiful rolled hem, either two or three thread. It doesn't have the jet air threading of the Baby Locks, but threads easily. Everything is color-coded. The tensions are also very easy to set. I haven't had any problem with them at all. I would advise you also to order a good, basic serger book because the instruction book with this Juki doesn't explain how to make the variety of stitches that are possible with it. With most of them you just have to tweak the tensions or stitch length or width, all easy to do on this machine. The electronic, high end machines (that go for a thousand dollars or more) will either make these adjustments automatically, or tell you how to do them on the screen, but I find a good serger book works just as well, and is much, much cheaper. Do be aware that this machine does not have a coverstitch, or coverhem, as it is sometimes called. It's the two or three thread stitch used to hem knits. To get this stitch you need to buy an expensive, high-end combo serger, or a separate coverstitch machine. I like having a regular serger, this one in particular, and a separate coverstitch machine, like the Janome CP 1000. This is shipped from Ken's Sewing Center, a store with an excellent reputation in the sewing community. Mine arrived quickly in perfect shape, but had there been a problem I know Ken's would have taken care of it. Really, this serger is an amazing deal. Juki is an excellent brand; I understand they make the Bernina sergers as well. Update: When I reviewed this serger it was $399.00 and was shipped by Ken's Sewing Center. I see now that the price and vendor have been changed. It is still an excellent serger but not quite as good a deal now.

There is a great review from a long-time serger user, however,I thought it might be helpful to give you the impressions from a first-time user. First off, I ordered the machine "used-like new" from the warehouse deals. It was $368 and it came in its original package; the only thing that was missing was the original thread. I was disappointed at first, because I was hoping to see how it was threaded right out of the factory. It still had the grey thread tangled in the loopers which made me hang my head even lower, thinking "looks like the previous owner had issues with the stitch, threading, or loopers". I bought the book Successful Serging: From Setup to Simple and Specialty Stitches in advance because I had read that the user manual is not all that user friendly. I was determined to brace the threading storm and get acquainted with the machine at once. The user manual is actually not bad at all. I managed to get the Juki threaded correctly on my first try-the key is to make sure the loopers just cross after the lower looper snaps back in place. I also made sure the tension dials were at 1 when I threaded it and when it purred to life the overlock it produced was impressive. The lower looper need a slight tweak, but that was it. The booklet has one downfall though: it does not speak about how to produce a flatlock seam; no biggie, I have the book and there are plenty of tutorials available online. I decided to change it to a 3-thread overlock and it was a breeze. Threading the second time around was even easier, and in retrospect I was so apprehensive of something that turned out to be quite easy. The knives cut through various material nicely, the machine purrs, it runs very smoothly, it does not move at all-overall my first impression is excellent. I am used to working with a bright LED light on my Brother sewing machine, something this Juki does not have. It is a regular old light source, bright, but different to LEDs. Also, something that I did not read in the description but this machine has is a thread cutter, right at the back of the presser foot. I will edit this review in a few weeks when I have used the serger more extensively. So far, my first impression as a first time user is a very good one! FYI, I am using it with regular Maxi Lock thread and Maxi Lock Stretch thread. ***Update 06/15/13*** I have used the Juki for over 4 months now, and I still absolutely love it. By now, threading has become a quick and painless effort. The knive cut through 6 layers of cotton batting and 2 layers of denim, but I was pushing the knives limit there. However, I think any home machine would be put to the test sewing through 8 layers, 6 of which are thick cotton batting. Overall I am very pleased with this Juki. The differential feed makes sewing knits an actually enjoyable thing; the switch to rolled hem is basically removing a needle and moving the small lever to the front. The tension dials work reliably as well. I now know my settings (5 for the needles and 4,5 for the loopers) and except for small adjustments here and there, it stitches as really nice overlock. Frankly, I don't think you can go wrong with a Juki. This thing really is a powerhorse!

🥰I love this machine🥰. It works like a charm, very smooth, with perfect stitches that meet the edge of the fabric every time. I purchased this particular machine because I had an identical serger in a different brand that never failed me for decades, in a custom drapery shop that I owned. The only thing I ever did to it was clean it, oil it and sharpen the blades for 30 some years. Then when I retired and moved, it got damaged in the move. Having said that, prior. to this, I worked for a sewing machine shop for many years, selling a bunch of different sewing machines and sergers. I was also their instructor three evenings a week teaching new owners how to use their sewing machines and sergers. A three week course that came free with their purchase. I am telling you all of this because I can honestly say I am VERY familiar with most all of the major brands of sewing machines out there, and out of all of them, having used most of them, this is the one I chose to purchase for myself. Not because it was cheaper than most of them, although it was but because I believe in buying quality and a product that you will not grow out of. But in this case I bought this serger because out of all of the machines like it, I loved the way it sewed, sounded and operated. I could literally feel the quality of this machine. It is user friendly. I would recommend it to anyone.

I am brand new to serging and haven't used a sewing machine in years but am looking for new hobbies now that the kids are out of the house. I think this has been a very good choice for me as a complete beginner. The manual takes some close reading but all that you need to get started is in there as long as you have some patience.The machine arrived threaded but in my enthusiasm I tried to serge a bit of fabric and promptly broke the threads because of course they were secured to the pressure knob on top and not attached to spinning spools of thread! (Ha ha! as I said, I really am a beginner.) After some careful research, I succeeded in threading it again but, like one of the one star reviews on here, couldn't get it to make a seam without turning up the tension knobs and then it still wasn't right. I decided it was probably me rather than the machine and went online where I found the brilliant suggestion to check that the thread was fully in the tension discs and indeed a couple of threads were gently draped around rather than in the coils. With that simple adjustment and back to the recommended tension I produced my first beautiful four thread overlock seam. After the initial learning curve, threading this machine is relatively easy. I found a threading chart online because the ones in the book (and inside the machine) were way too small for me to see what was going on, On closer inspection there is a slight difference in the last bit right before you thread the needles between the online chart and what's in the manual. For this bit, the manual is correct: both needles' threads share the last loop. I also purchased The Complete Serger Handbook by Chris James which is helpful, but actually becomes more helpful as you get more familiar with the machine. Next, I followed the manual and finished a rolled hem on a dress I'd thought I'd try to shorten by hand and had had pinned up for over a year. It took me just a few minutes and I am thrilled! Next I bought my first Craftsy class: Beginner Serging with Amy Alan. This probably should have been step one. I am finding it really helpful and am enjoying learning some of the many things the serger can be used for. It's fun to experiment with different fabrics and make notes of all the tensions for each. This machine takes universal sewing machine needles #11 and can take #14s for heavier fabrics. I haven't tried heavy fabrics yet but read that you're supposed to put the bigger needle on the Left. Perhaps you can replace both with the #14s but that will be for a later experiment. You can buy extra feet for this machine, but I don't think I'm going to need those for some time because the foot it comes with does all of what I need for now. All in all, I couldn't be happier with this purchase. I am really having fun with it.

This is my first serger, but I did a lot of research beforehand, as I do with all larger purchases. I was going to originally get the Brother 1034D, but was hesitant because I used to own a Brother sewing machine that was an Amazon best seller with hundreds of great reviews...but I ended up hating it and selling it and lost hours of frustrated sewing time with errors it made. So I didn't want to make the same mistake with their serger, just in case. Yes, I spent almost $200 more, but I plan on owning this for a very long time, so might as well purchase high quality right off the bat. First off, an IMPORTANT TIP: when you thread this machine, make SURE you pull the threads into the tension dials all the way. You'll feel the thread kind of seat itself in there, takes a little bit more force than just wrapping the thread around the dial. When I first threaded mine (which by the way, it comes threaded), I could not figure out why the tension was all screwed up and any adjustments I made had no effect! I was like what the heck is wrong?? I only found this info from within a couple other reviews I read--you probably won't find this tip online anywhere easily. Your machine will NOT serge properly without making sure of this tip! back to the review... Threading is definitely not difficult! If anything, it's obviously time-consuming, but that's all. And each time you do it, it's easier. Mostly, it's only the upper and lower loopers that take time to thread, and even then, once you know how, the entire process can be done in 10-15 minutes. You can also do the method where you tie on new thread spools instead of re-threading. The left and right needles are basically the same as threading a sewing machine. The hardest part is that some of the machinics get in the way of your hands, thus the tweezers that are included. I have not tried anything besides the 4-thread overlock yet, which works like a dream. So I imagine once I learn the other stitches, those will be amazing also. Of course, I wish I also had a coverstitch machine, but a twin needle on the sewing gone works just fine honeslty. All in all, highly recommended! Just so so glad I got this (although I'm sure my husband wasn't happy that my garage sale money went to this instead of bills...oops) hey, a girl has got to sew! Bills will always be there, right? ;)

This is my second MO-654. I sold the first one because I got an industrial serger, then I moved to a smaller space and could not bring my industrial, so, I bought a new MO-654. It was fabulous then, and it's fabulous now. Never selling this one (unless I move to Europe!) Super smooth. It comes already threaded: PRO TIP. Do NOT unthread this machine when you get it, and try to rethread it. Just tie your new thread with the loose threads that they tie on the little knob on top of the machine, matching the colors in the thread holder to the colors of the front of the machine. I included a video for your review, also DO NOT adjust the tension. Working with a serger can be challenging, and Juki sends the machines to us fully adjusted so you can just start to serge. This is also the reason why they send it fully threaded. Yes, you will eventually have to rethread your machine and adjust the tension to fit your specific project (although it IS much easier to change your thread out using the method of knot feeding as described in my video rather than fully threading it yourself. It will be unavoidable at some point in your sewing life, but for now, just knot it and fee the thread through until you are forced to fully thread your machine for whatever reason). Before you willy-nilly start to mess with tension, try to sew using the pre-set tension, it may work for your project. If you are having issues, go to youtube and look at some videos about tension setting for this specific machine because once you start messing with those knobs, and until you are a pro with this machine, you will create a ton of headache (and heartache) for yourself. Over time you will learn to set the tension and to thread this thing. For now happy sewing. Juki sets it up so it's easy to ease into serging right out of the box!!

I have never had a serger, so this is all new territory. But WOW! So cool, and this little machine is great. It's super quiet for a serger, as many of them are quite loud. This one is not loud or annoying and could be used after the family is asleep as it's about the same noise as a sewing machine. It comes pre-threaded, so if you have heard all about how sergers are difficult to thread have no fears because this one is threaded so that you can simply tie your cone thread onto the pre-threaded and then run it through the machine. No need to un-thread. It took about 15 mins to open, set up and figure out. I sat down immediately and made my first serger project on it, which was a serger thread catcher (video on YouTube) and the machine worked great and the thread catcher is awesome. It's always nice to get off on the right foot. The machine has a differential feed, which affects how much ruffle you put into the fabric. It has a small footprint, about 10 inches wide and it comes with a cover and many little accessories. Juki provides great accessories with all of their machines such as a full size screwdriver, tweezers, machine covers, spool holders, and machine oil and other goodies. The stitches are beautiful and the knife cuts like butter. I am just beginning my journey with a serger so I have a lot to learn but this machine is so affordable I am happy to have added it to my arsenal of sewing goods. I hope to be able to make some knit clothing for the grand baby due in a few months.

My advice, search on Youtube for this video - "MO-654DE Preparing the machine" by JUKI® HomeSewing SG. It does a pretty good job at showing you how to thread the machine and also how to set it up. This is my first serger. So far, I really like it. Once it's threaded, this machine is very nice and easy to use. Things to know: 1.) It is NOT easy to thread. It took two people two hours to thread it and that is with the step by step video. The manual they give you is basically useless to learn to thread it. 2.) It comes threaded, and they say you can just tie a knot to the new thread. Trust me, the knots will get caught and jam up your machine if you just start sewing. That is what happened to me and why I got to experience the joys of threading this machine on day one. Next time I will try to pull the threads through by hand if use the tying method. 3.) Although it's small and lightweight, it's not really portable. You would have to take the machine apart to safely transport it, thus threading it, and rethreading is not easy.

De machine prachtig oogt maar bijna onbruikbaar vanwege ontbreken van gebruiksaanwijzing in het Nederlands. Wel div talen gebr aanwijzing. Dan is uitleg moeilijk.

Génial, super surjeteuse a un prix très correcte !!! Facile d'utilisation, avec une utilisation des agréable.

I would like to recommend this machine to everyone, even to beginners. It's very easy to use. It's working smoothly and many tutorials about its setup and threading can be found on Youtube. Thanks a lot to the seller for making this overlocker available in the UAE.

Fue un encargo de una amiga y ella está feliz va a iniciar su propio negocio.

Excellent overlocker. Small, quiet and easy to use. Australians please be aware you will have to buy a step down transformer if you want to use in Australia.