It is very useful to get an over locker that serges and does cover stitch as well. You will find uses for both.The cover stitch is usually used to create hems and cuffs with single, double or triple rows of stitching that you find on track-suits and the serger part cuts the material as it finishes seams and rolled hems.

I always knew I didn't need one till I found one at a thrift store, now I wonder what I would do without it.

I have two, one with white thread and one with black thread. I make a lot of church quilts to go overseas and since the quilts are very practical, for example, 8 inch squares, I use my sergers for those. The nice thing about it, when I have three threads on the serger my seams are about 1/4 inch. I have also used the serger on quilts that I know are going to be washed alot. Like Linus quilts or children's quilts. They use a lot of thread but for quilts that don't have a lot of seams, they work very well. On my quilts that I make for myself that I know aren't going to be washed fifty million times, I use my regular machine. Hope this helps

I have a Kenmore that I bought back in the '90's . At the time I bought it I was working and making enough to afford it , so I bought all the attachments. Attachments include Piping tape foot ,cording foot,elastic foot , sewing foot,blind stitch foot and the taping foot. I also has 1 or 2 needles to use. It has 3 / 4 threads . I use it all the time. However , I've never used any of the attachments. Hope this helps.

I love my serger - a Babylock Imagine. Airjet threading, wonderful. Making pillowcases is a breeze, making purses it is very handy, learned to put a zipper in with it, if towels start to fray - fix them with the serger, go around the edge of quilts prior to binding, narrow hem as others have said. THis is my 2nd serger and so much easier to use than my 1st. I would buy another if anything happened to mine - but it would have to be another babylock!

I don't have one, have thought about getting one, but I don't really think I'd use it enough to make it worth buying. So, another "if I win the lottery" item on my list! LOL!

My daughter bought me a Husqvarna 21-S for Christmas....I finally took lessons on it and I love it...I can't believe all the things it is capable of...the stitches are beautiful and it cuts the sewing time in half....

I had been wanting a serger for a long time and kept looking at garage/estate sales, flea markets, and craigslist. Finally broke down and got the basic Brother I think it is the 1034D. I wanted it for doll clothes and I made some pajama pants for the grandkids. I took a serger class where I bought it, which was helpful to a point. I think a lot of it is trial and error. I did learn how to do the rolled hem which I know I will use on napkins, tablecloths, etc. As far as threading, I learned how, but, it is still easier to tie the new thread to the old thread and pull it through. I guess that would work unless I break a thread somewhere down the line.

I'm so glad to see this thread. I was just wondering how to use one for quilt making purposes. I had the opportunity to buy a used one back in November, was (am) a little intimidated by it. It was threaded and when I first tried to use it, it jammed up. I just picked it up from a cleaning and it works just fine now. Still am intimidated by it but I'm willing to give it a try.
I also got lots of thread (like 16 sets of 4 cones). The repair place recommended only using MaxiLock, do you all agree? Something about the thickness of the thread.
When you talk about finishing the edge of a quilt, is this before quilting or after? I tend to make lots of tops that then sit around waiting for quilting so I'm thinking a serged edge would keep seems from coming undone.
Thanks for all the info you all provide for everyone.

I have an older Pfaff serger. I use it a lot for garments and home dec projects but not for quilting. I learned to use one years ago while working in a garment factory, and was so glad when the home version became available!