At a quilt show this weekend, I got a chance to use a serger on a QAYG charity baby quilt. It was super fast and fun. I've always wanted a serger for sewing clothing but hadn't thought of it for quilting. My question is, what should I look for in a serger if I go shopping. Should I buy it at a shop where I can get lessons? I've been sewing for years and quilting for just a few years so I'm familiar with regular machines, but not sergers. Would appreciate your suggestions.

My was from a lqs and they have been so helpful!

The most important feature to me is how easy it is to thread. They even have machines now that will thread themselves, but they are super expensive!

I have one but I don't use it much. It's a pain to thread and I have a hard time keeping it sewing. It is a older one so maybe the newer ones are better.

I would make sure a serger I was looking at has differential feed, four thread capacity and is easy to thread. There is a brand that has "air threading," I think it is called. Supposed to be super easy to thread and that makes it easier to use.

Edited to add: It's the Babylock brand that has air threading. Here is a link to their site.

http://www.babylock.com/sergers/

Have fun searching for your machine.

Get one that is air-threaded (much easier and a time-saver!), has differential feed (makes working with stretchy fabrics easy), and I would recommend getting a 5-thread serger so you have the cover stitch (hem finishing stitch that looks like double-needle sewing; check the hem of a t-shirt to see it).

I have an older 4-thread serger without air-threading, and I think I would have used it a lot more over the years if I had gotten the air-threading and the cover stitch. The cover stitch can be used decoratively on quilts.

Thanks. I checked out the babylock website & a few others. They will not publish the cost so that tells me they are really expensive. There is a cheap Singer serger on Joann's website. Looks like I have a lot of comparison shopping to do. I will probably try to buy locally so I can get help if I need it.

I have one that I never use. THe novelty wore off.

It's better not to get any serger at all than to get a cheap one. Really, they can be terribly frustrating!!! Plus, they are not in any way a necessity for quilting purposes.

Check Amazon, Overstock, and eBay to get an idea of pricing on brands and models you are interested in.

I got a new Brother serger last dec. and i LOVE it! Super easy to thread and runs like a top. I don't know how i lived without it
By the way...it was under 200.00!!!!!