Do you own a Serger?
 

I've been seeing sergers lately on the HSN network. I've never thought of getting one but I am wondering about what you can use them for other than nice finished edges. I was wondering if anyone owns one and if you use it often and ever on a quilt somehow?

I ordered an inexpensive book from Amazon on using Sergers so I can be more educated about them.

I have had one for years. They are great for sewing garments since they make beautifully finished seams. I have the Baby Lock Evolution which does a multitude of other jobs as well. You can piece with it, but the serger adds a lot of extra thread to the project. I like to serge around the outer edge of a quilt before binding. It makes the binding go easier for me. I really like using the wave stitch as a finish around fleece blankets. With two colors it makes a beautiful finish. The serger does a nice simple quilt as you go quilt if you just do the large rectangles and not a lot of small pieces. The serger is great for putting in piping and zippers. It makes those jobs a breeze. It is also nice for doing joinigs in heirloom sewing projects. I hope these ideas are helpful to you.

I have one but use it very limitedly for quilting and only because I have it . ... I would be fine without one when it comes to quilting.

I have 2 of them---one overlock and one coverlock. They are both sitting in their boxes in the back of the closet. I haven't done garment sewing in years so these machines were a huge waste of money.

I like to use mine when making tablecloths and napkins. Love the rolled edge. Other than that, don't use it much.

I have one that I played with the week I bought it. That was many years ago, I haven't used it since.:o

I sew clothing too, so I use my serger and my coverlock a fair bit ... but not for quilting.

I have had the same serger for 25 years. I have never used it for quilting but I love it for garments. I also will serge the edge of a loosely woven fabric before prewashing. If I didn't sew clothing I don't know if I would use it much though.

I used to use it to sew the edges of my quilt fabric before I washed it. No more tangled mess in the washer. =) But I rarely ever wash my fabric first anymore. YES I'm one of THOSE people. LoL!

I use to use a serger when making clothes. I'm not sure it even works but when I get the room cleaned out that it's in I'm going to find out. If/when I buy one, one of the key features that is a must; it has to have auto-thread on it. They can be a bear to thread. Once you get it threaded yes, you can just tie the next piece of thread onto it and pull it thru but sometimes it just isn't that simple. Nancy Z. has a book about serging and quilting. I ordered it from Barnes and Noble; I think. But it's a good book to check out the using it with quilting. I know some who serge the edges of their quilts to show they are done and just waiting for binding. Some do this because they say it is easier to bind because all the layers are held together. If you do a search on here there have been other post on here about this.

What is the difference of overlock and coverlock? I will end up getting a new one so I want to know what to look for. Thanks.

You ladies are great! I am enjoying reading your posts. I have made napkins in the past and a serger would have been perfect for those edges.

They are great for making quilt labels!

Same here.

I have one...a Simplicity...at least 15 years old. It was given to me by a dear friend before her death. I rarely use it...mainly because I am intimidated by it. I have used a newer one that a friend has... so much more user friendly. Would I use it to piece quilts...NO. I would like one to do nice edges on napkins/items for my home. Also, for seams on kids clothes.

I have one I got as a mother's day gift about 20 years ago. It is still going! I use it when I sew clothes, and I have made napkins with rolled hems, and I use it to make quilts with flannel so it binds the seam and won't unravel. I use my serger more than I use to since I now quilt, and I think if it bit the dust, I would get another one.

Someone gave a Janome serger and I have never used it.......yet. I have to find a manual for it so I can try it out. I've never used a serger before.

My serger came unthreaded and this is one of the sergers from hell when it comes to threading. I am goigng to try once more then give it up. I use it rarely and I have found stitches on my newer machines that do just about as good for what I use them for.

Babylock hands down. Jet air threading makes it worth every dollar. I also have a Bernina that is horrible to thread. It was a waste of money.

I have one that I use quite a bit. I am a fabric washer (only because I worked in a linen and home goods warehouse many moons ago and know how the stuff is shipped in from the factory.)so I use mine to serge the cut ends of fabric. We are also on a septic system, so the less thread and strings in the washer the better.

I use it to mend clothes. I don't know how many times I have bought a new item, washed it, and found an open seam. I also use it to make quick flannel or knit receiving/ swaddling blankets for baby gifts.

I'm in the same camp - if mine died tomorrow I would buy another one. Maybe one of the ones you ladies have stuck in your closets :)!

quilt in a day used a serger to quickly piece the lantern still log cabin block and i would have never thought to use it for that. i have had a serger forever and used it frequently when i made clothing. the one i have now is 20+ years old.

i have used it lately to made pet beds to donate to charity and to make double sided flannel baby/nap blankets. i will however use it to create the lantern style log cabin blocks just like i saw at qiad site.

oh and babylock rules.:D

Gee...now that some of you are saying they are hard to thread....I don't think I've ever seen the lady on HSN selling them actually thread it on air!! She just casually suggest you follow the color coded lines and it is "easy" to do. Makes me wonder now.

i follow my color guides and can get through my threading. the only thing that i would classify as challenging when threading is when you are threading in the hook area. it's not rocket science but may require a little bit of patience to get it done.

I have the Bernina 1150, and I love it. I've been making pillowcases for my puppy friends. Before I bought it, my sewing center had a class on how to use the serger to make a quilt. I love the idea of using the serger to finish a quilt edge before binding.

I've had my serger for about 10 years and I still get my book out when I thread it from the beginning. I usually just tie on the new threads and that is very easy. I bought a serger with a cover stitch; but find that I seldom use that feature. I really use my serger when sewing for my granddaughter. I make her turtle neck cotton knit shirts and bathing suits entirely on the serger. I also use the serger to make the rolled hems on the ruffle on her nightgowns. Of course, I use the serger for finishing seams, making napkins, etc. As for quilting, I have only used it to serge the cut edges of my fabric before I wash it. If my fabric has a serged edge, I know it has been washed. I love my serger and would not want to be without it.

I have a Babylock with the jet air self threaders. It's the only way to go. I only use it for garment sewing.

I have one. I got it as a birthday gift about 4 years ago as I thought I needed one! I have used it when I make pajama bottoms but haven't done anything quilt-wise with it. I do like the idea of serging my fabric before pre-washing. One of those "Why didn't I think of that" moments. However, the threading can be very intimidating. Also, I broke a one of the needles over a year ago and it is yet to be replaced. That should be an indication of how often I use it! It sits on a shelf under my sewing table. Maybe someday it will once again see the light of day!

I also use mine for clothing but not quilts. When I first got it I had so much trouble threading and I was following those steps one by one. Then I realized, it had a automatic threader and I was reading the wrong directions! Two minutes later, threaded and sewing!

I've had a serger for 20 years - use it for garment sewing but mostly for making drapes, curtains and nightgowns. Have never used it much for quilting unless I was tying quilts - in a hurry, it works great for edging rather than binding, if you are using them for utility purposes. Also, have used my serger for making blankets for show animals. They do have a purpose, but not for pieced or aplique quilting - just my opinion.

About 20 years ago, I was watching one of those shopping channels when a serger came up. I bought it. When it came, I took it out of the box and was so intimidated by it, I put it up in its case. It sat around for 20 years. Someone encouraged me to get it out, and when I did, there wasn't an owner's manual. I ordered another one, and when it came I sat down and threaded the darn thing. I had a horrible time with the lower looper. The pictures both on the machine itself and in the manual didn't look like anything I was seeing. I finally got it though. I then took some practice fabric and did some serging. I had to adjust the tension. Then I packed it all back up and it is stored again for 20 years, I'm sure. I wouldn't buy one unless you sew garments.

I have one and use it all the time, to finish seams, to make seams and to serge around all my quilts before attaching the binding. The binding goes on a lot easier. If you ever have one and use it, you will wonder how you made it without one.

I bought a used one several years ago. I used it a little but would get very flustered when the thread needed rethreaded. It was hard to get threaded again.
I sold it in a garage sale last month and said good riddance. I wouldn't buy another one.

I have had one for years and did some sewing when my children were small to make their t shirts. Now the only time I use it is to serge lhe cut ends of fabric before I wash it and then I know when I want to use it , it is ready to go.

I have a Bernina and still use it occasionally. I have a pattern for a 6-hour quilt that provides directions for using a serger. Makes a great baby quilt -- have done several.

Many, many years ago, I pieced an Around the World made of flannel with my serger. I don't use it frequently, but I am glad that I have it. I updated my original Toyota with a Babylock Evolve.

Yes, I have a CHEAP one. Needles are always breaking when you sew over a seam, I have to baby it.
They are great for a clean finish. I will buy another one as soon as I get hold of some extra money.
I will TRY out my next one before I buy. You get what you pay for. syl

I have had a Singer for probably 20 years. I do a lot of garment sewing and home dec. I especially like to sew with tricot and knit fabrics with it. As to threading, I found out if you start at the bottom and work your way up, the machine will sew right off. There is something about threadin the needles and then the loopers that messes it up. I don't use mine for quilting. But it is nice to alter ready made clothing or to fix them if a seam gives way.

I concurs great for finishing edges, sewing knits, making sure fabrics that fray a lot have finished edges but I only use it for piecing small projects like bags and stockings mostly use my regular machine for me quilt construction....

Could you give an example? Sounds like fun. Love my serger.