snow

I have a brother 1034D and I just love it easy to thread and use it does everything I need it to do had it for 3yrs. now no problems.

Bearpawquilter

I have an old Kenmore serger from the 80's. I tried not to unthread it - just tie new threads on and pull them through. I recently upgraded to a new serger - Babylock Evolution. It had the two features I wanted, air threading and coverstitch. I do not sew knits but have to alter everything I buy. Coverstitch is the double hem stitch you see on ready to wear knits. This machine is expensive - about $2500 - it will be the last one I buy. I don't quilt on it but I am willing to look into it. I have grandchildren to sew for and do home dec. sewing, tablecloths, napkins, etc. One tip I would give is keep some muslin squares next to your serger. Every time you use a new stitch, make a sample, staple it to an index card, and write your settings and the project you used it on. Saves time not having to look up your stitch and settings every time. Go try them out and buy the best serger you can afford.

SittingPretty

One thing I could never understand about patterns and sergers: why do we have to cut off the "scrap?" Why can't the patterns just use a smaller seam allowance so we don't have to keep wasting fabric? I know, I know. A lot of people still use a regular sewing machine, myself included, and still sew with a 5/8" seam. Just seems like such a waste to cut the fabric bigger just to cut it smaller when serging.

Weezy Rider

If you are making clothes, stuff ravels. I've seen expensive costumes sewn with just a straight stitch and the fabric raveled right out of the stitching.

You could use pinking shears, zig zag, French seam, Hong Kong finish, rolled seam, or serge and keep it from raveling.

I've made kids clothes from Sew Beautiful - they are usually 1/2" seam. Kwik Sew uses 1/4" on knits. I've seen 3/8 at times. Things look neater without strings hanging out.

Belfrybat

When my 1981 serger finally gave up the ghost, instead of replacing it, I purchased a foot for my Janome sewing machine that cuts off the fabric. I use a knit-type zig zag (can't remember the name of the stitch) along with the this foot and it works great. Sews slower than a serger, but I dont make many garments these days so this works well. Mine is similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/Side-Cutter-Se...er+sewing+foot

Michellesews

if you buy one, save yourself a lot of grief and buy a Babylock with air threading. Threading a serger can be a nightmare. I have two Babylocks, worth their weight in GOLD.

phranny

I have a Pfaff, and used it extensively when I made skating costumes and the like. Sure, you can overcast and trim the seam, but it's slow and not nearly as neat looking as a serged edge, in my opinion.

Get a pair of long tweezers, with a bent tip, to thread your machine, it really helps. I've also backed off the tension dials, knotted on new thread and pulled it through, and re-set the tension dials. Works great, and as others have said, doing it this way, you seldom need to re-thread the machine.

Goodgle The 6 hour quilt, it is done on a serger.

love to sew

Me too. Love my baby lock imagine with air threader! My second serger. I don't use it for quilting, but it is a must if you sew clothes. Would never give it up!

quilter2090

I love my Brother 1040D serger. I purchased mine directly from Brother Corp. I have other sergers but I find the 1040D the best. The best analogy I've heard is a serger is to a sewing machine what a mircowave is to a oven. Both the microwave and the oven have their uses, as does a serger and sewing machine. Some people use their serger's a lot, other people don't even take the serger out of the box it came in. It is different from a sewing machine, but once you have one, I think you will wonder what you did without it. For home dec purposes, it's invaluable. There are several You Tube video's on how to use a serger and The Quilt Show has free Bernina video's on their website, some of the Bernina video's use a serger. When I can, I plan on making a reversible baby quilt using a technique I saw on the free Bernina video's on the Quilt Show. You might find some help on both You Tube and The Quilt Show. Good Luck!

Sew Freak

buy a serger!! you'll find that once you've used it you'll wonder how you ever sewed without one!! you probably won't need a serger for e v e r y t h i n g, (like placemats that are binded, men's shirts that have flat felled seams; only two ie's off the top of my head) but they are awesome!!!