I have had a serger for many, many years I started out with a 3 thread that was all they had when I bought my first serger. I upgraded about 8 years ago to a 4 thread serger. I love the serger it finished edges beautifully and with a professional look. I use it for curtains, drapes, clothing and heming. I do not use it for quilting. I could not be without one. I once watched a sewing with Nancy show many years ago and she showed how to thread the easy was, tie the new thread to the one already threaded in the machine after all threads are tied carfully and slowly pull until the new thread comes all the was through except the sewing needle the thread will not pull through the needle but will until just before the needle. It is so much easier to thread this way.