Is Brother Designio Series DZ1234 Serger Worth It? Full Review
Today, we’ll be looking at the Brother DZ1234 serger. It has a wealth of useful features, comes with an instructional DVD, tool kit, owner’s manual, soft dust cover, and 25-year limited warranty on parts.
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First, we’ll look at all the features offered by the Brother Designio series DZ1234 serger sewing machine. Then we’ll explore the things this machine can do and answer some of the frequently asked questions.
Finally, we will throw some light on the negatives of this overlocker and finish our recommendation.
If you don't have time to read all this, In summary, it's an excellent serger to have, and you won't regret it.
Introduction
The Brother Designio DZ1234 is an overlock serger machine. It’s different than a sewing machine. They work well side by side. The serger finishes seams and trims off the seam allowance leaving you with professional looking results.
I mean, how often did you look inside your shirts and see seams finished with pinking shears?
Sergers also sew very quickly, so you’re finishing up the project faster than ever.
Features of the Brother DZ1234
The features of this tool allow a broad range of possibilities for creating with a variety of options.
It can be used with either 3 or 4 threads and comes with three extra feet (in addition to a standard foot) for versatile project choices.
The Brother DZ1234 Designio serger is unusual in that it has a very convenient stitch width control. On a lot of sergers, the stitch width just has numbers, and it’s not clear what you’re really setting it to.
This makes it very clear what the setting is reducing the risk of mistakes. And when you have your hands full of fabric and want to make a quick adjustment, you’ll appreciate that.
Also, there is a lever for differential feed control. Changing the settings is easy. And it’s easy to make adjustments while you’re serging.
The lever allows you to finely select how fast the top fabric feeds through compared to the bottom layer of fabric.
When the top feeds in faster than the bottom, you’re putting in more fabric on the top. That allows you to ease in a sleeve, or create a lot of ruffles.
What does this overlocker do?
I already mentioned finishing seams quickly and professionally. So let’s look at more ways it's going to save you time and frustration.
What can it handle?
When using stretchy fabrics, it allows the stitches to stretch with the fabric. You don’t have to worry about the stitches popping when you are doing your morning Yoga stretches.
Conventional sewing machines can only provide the zig-zag stitch to sew knits together. It’s not perfect especially for fabrics that stretch in both directions.
A tool like the Brother DZ1234 is essential for those who sew with knits and fabrics like spandex.
It also allows for creativity in sewing ruffles, adding in elastic, and creating the overcast rolled hem. This decorative stitch is often seen on lingerie and the edge of napkins.
So this machine is meant for those who have a need or desire for a machine that can do many things a conventional sewing machine does not.
However, a conventional sewing machine also has its place for things sergers cannot do, such as buttonholes, topstitching, and zippers.
How easy is it to use?
I know this is a big concern when it comes to using a serger. It looks scary with all those threads. And the idea of those blades cutting your fabric can be daunting.
I mean, what if you cut through the wrong place? It does happen, but only once. So when you get your tool, you’ll want to practice with it. And I think you’ll find that it’s not difficult at all to use.
It’s fairly easy to set up as it comes with the machine pre-threaded. If you ever have to rethread the machine, the lack of auto threader means you will have thread it manually. And that will happen. Just give yourself time and be patient.
The first time you rethread it manually may seem like a chore, but with practice, it gets easier. And you will get better at not having to rethread it because you can tie in the new thread instead.
The Brother Designio DZ1234 comes with a very clearly written owner’s manual in English and Spanish and an instructional DVD.
Online classes are available through a search for sewing and crafting sites, and there are demonstration videos posted on YouTube, as well.
Check today's price on Amazon.
Benefits
3 or 4 thread serger
The Brother dz1234 serger can be threaded with either 3 or 4 threads, depending on the project and the result you desire. This machine does not do 2-thread flatlocking.
The three thread uses one needle and is perfect for knits and lighter fabrics.
The four thread uses both needles and provides a solid seam. So you’d use that on seams that get a lot of pressure like swimwear, dancewear, and gymnastics leotards. You’d also use this on heavier weight fabrics.
Free Arm
The bed extension can be easily removed, allowing free arm sewing for tubular items such as sleeves and pant legs.
Differential Feed Ratio of 0.7-2.0
Differential feed dogs allow the two sets of feed dogs under the presser foot to move at different speeds. This feature is especially useful for lightweight fabrics, as it gives you the ability to keep them from puckering as they go under the presser foot.
Does it have gathering foot?
Yes, it does. This specialty foot is used for making ruffles and gathers. You would use this along with adjusting the differential feed to get the result you want.
Is there piping foot available?
Yes. The piping foot can be used to create your decorative piping quickly with piping cord and fabric strips.
Does it come with blind hem stitch foot?
Yes once again. The blind hem stitch foot allows you to sew hem stitches that are nearly invisible, as well as adding a decorative touch with flatlock or pintuck stitches.
How many stitches per minute?
A universal feature of serging machines is the speed at which sewing can take place. The DZ1234 is no exception; this machine can sew as fast as 1300 stitches per minute.
Does it use home sewing needles?
This model uses regular home sewing machine needles, eliminating the need to purchase specialty needles.
And like with regular sewing machines, you’d use ballpoint needles for knits and universal needles for just about everything else.
How many stitch functions?
Using the combined options between stitches, three threads or four, and using the three extra feet included, allows the versatility of 23 different stitch options.
Does it come with two needles?
Yes, it does. Options include using one or both needles, allowing a variety of stitches and resulting in a choice of appearance in your finished projects.
What type of presser foot pressure adjustment is there?
The pressure on the presser foot is easily adjusted with a screw on the top of the machine. It comes pre-adjusted for light to medium-weight fabrics, so should only need occasional adjustments.
Are people satisfied with this?
Overall, Brother DZ1234 reviews are very positive.
Brother has been in business for a very long time. They’re committed to producing quality products that last a long time.
So if you’re just starting out, this Brother serger dz1234 will be a dependable device for you.
What are the negatives?
It does not have automatic threading, but it does have clear color-coded thread guides.
While those who have difficulty with eyesight or manual dexterity may find it worth the expense to pay for a model with an automatic threader, most can learn to thread this model with ease.
The Bottom Line
So there you have it. We sincerely hope the information in this review has been helpful to you in making a decision about which serger sewing machine to purchase. You can spend as little as $200 or as much as over $1000 on a serger.
Purchasing a serger is a very personal decision; so much depends on what you plan to use it for and how often you use it, what options make sense to you and how much you have in the budget.
But for the price, you won’t find another serger that offers as many options and high quality as the Brother Designio Series DZ1234 Serger Sewing Machine.
Brothers’ 25-year warranty is an added protection, intended to assure you of great customer service for years to come.
