You will find many uses for a serger. Decide what you want to do and then buy according. I received several sets of knit warm up pants that were too long. I had a serger but wanted one that did the "overlock" or "under lock" or whatever it is called. The one that on the top looks like two straight rows of regular stitching with the cross thread on the back side. I havn't used it yet to shorten the pants but sure have used it for other things. Used it recently to make the "little dresses for Hati" and am going to serge a piece of fleece for a couch cover and a friend gave me several yards of very good wool plain. I'm going to make lap throws and serge the edges. I can go on and on.