The Baby Lock dealer in our area said that April is "Serger Month". Discounts plus a $300 rebate. I have a Baby Lock Imagine and love it. I also have a BL Cover Stitch, but have not used it. I will be selling that one.

If you are not doing anything fancy I would not spend the money on the self threading ones, I sat down for a demo on threading a brother PRW and it didn't look all to terrible. I am also still in your boat, and have seen the brother, the juki, and the babylock. I would love a self threading but the cheapest is 1200 and if you are not using it for clothes and not using it alot it would be a waste of money. I have not made my decision as of yet but the juki 655 did very much impress me and they seem to be quite well rated. The brother ones also seem to get good rating for a beginning serger for me it is between the juki 655 and brother PRW5234, although you could probably get away with the brother 1034D since you don't need the serger but for basic stuff. The only thing that makes me hesitate on the juki is less feet are included, and since the machines cost about the same in the 500 range i would have to shell out more money on feet down the line.

I love my Babylock Imagine serger. I was lucky enough to win it at an embroidery conference several years ago. I especially like the self-threading

Stick with larger brand names (not a no brand). Get from a shop this way you have classes etc. with that said I have 2 a smaller Janome 1100dx a real work horse and BL evolution - what fun! Once you learn to thread (some are easier than others) it then becomes more in performance and what you'll use it for. Like a sewing machine try them out. I like the bernina which will be my next and a stand alone coverstitch (lazy I am). Juki makes the bernina and now that BL lost the air thread patent juki has it and bernina is soon to be released. Threading is much easier than my original 3 thread jc penny one! Which is still in use hahaha.

I have had 2 sergers, all Singers & my last one was an absolute nightmare to thread (their top Quantum machine). I use sergers a lot even though I don't really sew much in clothes anymore. Finally got rid of the Singer & bought one of Babylocks self threading sergers & have NEVER regretted it, even though in Canada they are a small fortune ($1800.00). No dials to adjust for different fabrics & most impressive NO manual threading (unless you want to). We, as women, really undervalue our worth & think "oh, I can't afford that" but most of the time our DH's spend $ on their hobbies & it's okay. Well ladies, we are WORTH it too. If you can afford it or somehow make it work without going into major debt then buy what you really want, you will be so much happier. I LOVE my Babylock & have never regretted the purchase.

About 5 years ago I thought I HAD to have a serger. I bought a very nice used one off Craigslist. It looked like it just came out of the box. In fact, it was packed in the original box. It is a Singer and I think it was $300- 400 new. I also got about 30 cones of thread with it and payed $80. Yes, the threading was a bear but I just took it one thread at a time, following the manual step by step. I will tie new cones to the old ones so I don't have to re thread it when the time comes. That being said, I have yet to use a full cone of thread. I broke a needle a couple of years ago making pajama bottoms for Christmas. The serger is in the cabinet STILL with the broken needle! I am glad I didn't invest a lot of money into it because I really don't use it very much. The reason the guy was selling it???? He didn't use it as much as HE thought he would!!!

As for your pillowcases, I do a French seam on mine and they results look very professional!!!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U0HGkuuGw6w

I have a Babylock Imagine and love it! It is my 2nd serger and is definitely the joy of serging for me. I have had it for about 18 years and have never regretted buying this. So many uses for a serger. Try to take classes and you will learn so much and will enjoy it.

I have had a Babylock Evolve Wave since they came out. I love it! Would not trade it. I have had other sergers in the past, and would not go back to manual threading. I like not having to fool with the dials either...these are smart machines. I heard last year that the auto threading was going to be available on other brands....do know if that is the case yet.

My first serger was a Toyota and threading it manually was time consuming, but I sewed on it for 20 years, then I got a Babylock Imagine and what a difference. I love it and the ease of the air jet threading.

I bought mine at a fabric store chain House of Fabrics that I used my employee discount. I rarely use it. It is so difficult to thread. Never thought of serging around the outside of a quilt. That is a very cleaver idea. I think it is a Babylock. It is taking up space in my closet. It is also very heavy !!