Consew 14TU Review

In the development where I live, new neighbors are greeted and invited over for coffee, dessert or cocktails.  Recently, our new neighbor reciprocated by inviting my husband and me over for dinner.

You will never know how fascinated I was to discover that behind a folding screen separating his dining area was an area devoted to sewing.  On a small desk next to the screen sits a Consew 14TU serger, apparently one of the earlier models in this line, a predecessor of the Consew 14TU854.

As it turns out, Kennedy Samuel, the new neighbor is a semi-retired pattern maker who worked as a tailor on the side before moving from New York to South Florida.

At A Glance

At first, I thought the Consew 14TU was identical to the Consew 14TU854 which I had actually reviewed some time ago.

Upon closer examination, however, I discovered that there are several differences between the two machines. For starters, the Consew 14TU doesn’t have nearly as many features, bells and whistles as the Consew 14TU854.

In fact, the 14TU is ideal for someone who has never before used as serger or uses a serger only for the bare essentials, like finishing seams.

Compartment for accessories

Like the Consew 14TU854, the Consew 14TU features user-friend lay in threading. There is also a latch that unlocks a door that opens on the left side of the machine which reveals a compartment for storing accessories.

A second door inside the first allows for easy access when threading the lower looper.  Inside the front looper door is an easy to follow and understand threading guide.

Differential feed control dial

Unlike the 14TU854, however, the presser foot lift is in the traditional location, not on the right side of the machine.  Instead, on the right side you will find only three dials, the hand wheel, differential feed control dial and the stitch length adjustment dial.

Features

• Color coded lay in threading
• Sews with one or two needles; 2, 3 or 4 threads
• Easy access to the lower looper through a side door
• On board accessory storage

Working on the Consew 14TU

For this review, I used the one needle option.  The existence of a color coded on board threading guide, lay in threading system and the ability to open the side door to access the lower looper made threading the Consew 14TU much easier than many other older sergers I have had an opportunity to review.

That side door opening made all the difference in the world when it was time to thread the lower looper.  That simple feature made it possible for me to accomplish the task without feeling as though I needed an extra hand, skinnier fingers and shorter nails.

I am almost tempted to say that threading the Consew 14TU was actually easy.

Threading the lower looper

After threading the machine, I discovered that the stitch quality was excellent, smooth and even.  The Consew 14TU is a solid, well-built machine, which is one of the most prominent features of all the Consew sewing machines and sergers that I have been able to review.

Excellent stitch quality

This particular machine does is relatively noise free, but there was a little more vibration than I had expected.  I believe, however, that the vibration issue could easily be addressed by putting a small rubber mat under the machine.

The small desk that this serger is sitting on is an old wooden writing desk with a drawer immediately beneath it.  While I did not experience any significant noise, and only a little vibration, it is entirely possible that the cause for the vibration is the table, not the machine itself.

Fabrics

• Natural fibers/cotton-linen-wool
• Fine fabrics/silk-satin-taffeta/velvet
• Knits
• Synthetic fabrics/blends-rayon-polyester
• Denim
• Upholstery
• Leather/suede
• Fur
• Reptile skin
• Canvas/Twill
• Plastic/Rubber
• Extra thick fabrics or multiple layers

Accessories

Kennedy admitted that he had been using his Consew 14TU for so long that he wasn’t absolutely certain which items were included as standard accessories when it was first purchased.   When pressed, he surmised that the original list of accessories included all of the standard items that come with nearly every other brand new serger.

Accessories compartment

Those items are:

• Tweezers
• Needle threader
• Screwdriver
• Needles
• Lint brush
• Oil dispenser
• Extra needles

Maintenance

Tying Off The Loose Ends

My new neighbor uses his Consew 14TU exclusively for finishing seams. When it comes to sergers, this machine is ideal for finishing seams and for working with knits.

It is not capable of performing many of the tasks that lots of the newer sergers can execute.  It is, however, in my opinion, an excellent choice for someone who has never before used a serger and wants to start out with a user friendly machine before diving into the deep end of the pool of multi-purpose sergers and overlock machines.

With this in mind, I do not think the Consew 14TU would be a good choice for someone who is in the market for a machine that can not only perform the functions of a basic serger, but also execute other tasks as well.  I find that people who are serious about tailoring and classic clothing construction, regardless of their skill level, are interested in using sergers primarily for finishing seams and occasionally working with knits.  Those are the people for whom the Consew 14TU and others like it are made.

It is indeed rare to find out that you live just across the street from some who shares your passion for sewing and creating great clothes.  Kennedy’s specialty is designing and drafting patterns for tailored casual and formal men’s clothes.

However, he is capable of designing and drafting patterns for one of a kind dresses, shirts, jackets and slacks for both men and women.

The last time I lived in close proximity to a sewing buddy was back in the late 1980s and early 1990s when I bonded with my first real sewing buddy who lived directly across the hall from my Washington, DC apartment.  Back then it wasn’t unusual for one of us to get a phone call or a knock on the door in the middle of the night, accompanied with a request for bias tape, seam binding, interfacing or some other sewing notion that we found ourselves in need of to finish a nocturnal sewing project.

We are still dear friends and come together as often as we can to share great memories about our fabric runs [hunting for the best fabric deals from Baltimore to Richmond] or road trips and excursions to classes and workshops all over the mid-Atlantic region.

My new neighbor and sewing buddy has decided that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to and is now launching his own pattern making and tailoring business here in South Florida.  I have seen some of the clothes he has made and can confirm that this guy really knows his stuff when it comes to customized sewing patterns and garments.

In his sewing area is a dress form draped with one of his stunning original designs.  Unfortunately, that dazzling dress is much too small for me.

Otherwise, I would have offered to purchase from him.  This is a huge departure for me because I have been making nearly all of my own clothes for at least the last 20-25 years.

We don’t spend a lot of time running in and out of each other’s houses, but it is great to know that I have a sewing buddy close by.

Anyone who is interested in talking with Kennedy about his work or engaging him to create a customized pattern for them can reach him via e-mail at kennedysamuel94@yahoo.com or give him a call at 718.641.9277.

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