Janome Compulock Serger 888

The large interactive Visual Touch Screen, unique to Janome, displays information to help you select stitches, and it registers your input when you are choosing a stitch.

The Compulock will recommend settings, change settings and receive messages using many of the same screen navigation keys that are found on the popular Janome Memory Craft sewing machine.

Janome JAPAN Compulock 888 Serger

Another nice feature is the large work space on the Compulock. It offers nearly three times the work space found on other sergers—to the right of the needle.

Most reviewers love their Janome Compulock serger sewing machines. Here are some points made by a number of reviewers:

• The 888 is well-built and sturdy.

• It is relatively quiet for a serger.

• The Janome 888 is intuitive – easy to learn to use.

• On the Janome 888, you must change the needleplate in order to convert to a cover stitch. Many reviewers found this to be cumbersome, while others considered it to be a minor annoyance. The Pfaff serger, on the other hand, only requires that you flip a small lever (in addition to correct threading and needle positions).

• Even though you can adjust the tension on the 888, most reviewers reported that they didn't usually find a need to adjust it.

• LCD lights to help you see when threading the serger.

• Safety system - Five sensors monitor your machine settings to remind you of any oversights which might ordinarily lead to problems. A "beep" initiated by any one of these sensors will be followed by a message on the touch screen. And, the Compulock won't run until you take the appropriate action. These sensors indicate when a door or looper cover is ajar, when the knife or the upper looper is in the wrong position, when the presser foot is up or when the wrong needle plate is in place. This feature helps beginners feel at ease with the serger and with serging.

• With the Compulock 888, it's extra important to clean the machine regularly. This serger has a number of sensors that will malfunction if they get too dusty. This would be true for any computerized serger.

While most 888 owners love their Janome sergers, a number of dealers have warned that the Janome 888 has had its problems. It seems that, if something does go wrong, this particular Janome serger is difficult to fix because of the complex mechanisms.

If this last point is important to you...you might want to look into the Janome CoverPro 1000cp. The 1000cp is a combination of an industrial-style cover hem machine and a convenient home machine. The marriage of the two has produced a high-speed, long arm, heavy-duty cover hem machine that looks and operates like a sewing machine.

The Janome JAPAN Compulock Serger 888 retails for $2399, but you should be able to find one for around $1000.

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