Great advice, thanks to all. I put 2 tumbler pieces together and just by looking you can't tell the difference but when i run my finger across the seam i can feel a noticeable difference. I think i will have to be patient. I don't think my serger has the option to just do the straight stitches. I see that i can do 2, 3, or 4 thread according to the manual. 2 thread includes an overlock, it's for doing a rolled hem on fine fabrics. I tried 2 thread yesterday on a dainty cape for my niece's Halloween costume and i could not get it to work for the life of me. I followed the directions but i obviously was doing something wrong as the thread just came through not linked and not through the fabric. The 3 thread worked great though and did the job nicely. I found an old project (men's shirt) that i cut and never sewed so I'm starting work on that with the serger to feed my addiction.