I have had a Bernina serger for 15 years or so. IF it had been self-threading and IF it had had a coverstitch, I would have used it a ***lot*** more than I have. With two new grand-daughters, my advice is to splurge NOW on the up-market serger. You will be a lot happier in the long run, and it will make creating wonderful memories for your grandchildren a lot easier to achieve.