After a long stretch of researching, comparing features, and debating what I really needed, I finally made the leap and upgraded my serger — and I’m pretty excited about it!
I ended up buying a refurbished Viking Amber Air S/600 Coverlock online from Rocky Mountain Sewing & Vacuum. It comes with a one‑year warranty, so going refurbished felt like a no‑brainer — I really couldn’t go wrong. Before choosing a new machine, I took my time figuring out what mattered most to me: a solid coverstitch, automatic tensions, air threading, and of course, the cost. After all the hours I spent threading and rethreading my old serger (I even had my husband do it once when I hit my limit), the air threader alone felt like a dream upgrade.
One thing I’m already loving is the colored screen. It shows exactly what settings and steps you need for each stitch, which makes setup so much easier. My old serger had a screen too, and I always appreciated how convenient it was — way less running back and forth to the manual when everything you need is right there. Now I just need to remember which button does what — these machines get smarter every year.
The best part is that my old machine isn’t going to waste. The coverstitch is done for, but everything else works great, so it’s heading to my daughter. And somehow, after years of zero interest, I now have two daughters who want to sew. I never thought I’d see the day, but here we are — maybe this will turn into a fun little family hobby.
This week ended up being a no‑sew week thanks to an allergy flare‑up while I was on vacation, but I’m finally on the mend. Between the flare‑up and the vacation chaos, I’m more than ready to get back into my sewing groove. I already have a few projects lined up that will be perfect for breaking in this new serger, and I can’t wait to dive in.
Have you ever bought a refurbished machine? What features matter most to you when choosing a new serger or sewing machine?
Happy Sewing,
Valerie
