Do any of you use Sergers for quilting?

I received one as a gift about 13 years ago. Besides taking a class when I first got it and messing with it a little at home, I have never used it. Never sewn anything on it... I am thinking of selling it. What do you think?

Some people use it to serge around the edge of the quilt before sewing on the binding, they say it makes the binding nicer. I have also seen quilts made with the serger and some people serge the fabric edges before washing to keep it from unraveling.

Some quilters use their serger to piece their quilts.
the outside needle is usually a quarter inch from the blade, perfect for that seam allowance we are all striving for ...
the down side is: two needle, two loopers ... use a lot more thread.
I just wanted you to know it could be done <g>.

I use mine mostly as an overlock to clean up those seams.

I use my serger all the time when I am sewing for my little niece, sarah. It is wonderful for hemming and serging the inside seams together for a great finish. I have to make her clothes perfect or my brother won't use them. He is raising her by himself and he thinks home-made is inferior to store-bought!! What a maroon! (As daffy would say.) :lol:

I also use mine for quick seasonal table runners and placemat gifts. Well to tell the truth, I use it alot while I am just regular sewing anything. Home dec stuff, like draperies.

I wouldn't get rid of my babylock for the world!

I tried piecing a quilt with the serger. It made the seams too stiff for my liking. A serger puts a lot more thread into the seam. Also there was more distortion when pressing because the two seam allowances are bound together; they couldn't ease to the side. This made the seams thicker and lumpier too. Next time I would make the stitches as long as possible to put less thread in the seams. I have seen nice tops that were pieced on a serger, so I know it can be done.

The biggest advantage of using a serger is the speed at which you can sew; sergers can move fabric *fast*!

I've never used my serger for quilting, but love it for other sewing. Sometimes it seems like I don't use it a lot, but it's one of those things that that sure come in handy when you need them. They make a wonderful hem. I just finished making curtains for my Mom's sunroom - 14 windows! I still occasionally sew a few clothes for myself and now with a baby granddaughter about to arrive, I'm sure I'll be sewing for her. I would keep your serger Mamabird. As soon as you get rid of it, you'll probably wish you still had it. Isn't that always the way? LOL

I've made 10 quilts, for my grandchildren, with my serger. The pattern I used was Kaye Wood's "The 6-Hour Quilt". FYI: It took more than 6 hours to make each quilt. :wink: This is an easy reversible quilt.

Twelve years later my grandchildren are still sleeping with these durable quilts.

I seam to remember watching a show where they only used 3 threads when they were serging the quilt. They serged the seams and then tugged on the seams a little and the seams stretched out a bit and it layed very flat with the seam laying between the blocks. It was on either America Quilts Creatively or America Sews Creatively I believe.