I have two sergers. I do my own mending and always have so having a serger is very valuable to me. I actually bought my second one from my friend when I thought mine quick working. The are not for everyone though. I won't be without one.

What quilted items require serging. I have never used a serger in quilting

You can actually sew a quilt using a serger. I have a pattern to do so. Haven't made it yet. My neighbor actually made one. Nothing quilting requires a serger. A serger is another tool for the sewing room if you choose. It can do many things, I use mine more for mending and sewing myself.

I finally bought a Juki serger from Allbrands.com in August of last year. I have been using mine to make fashion scarfs with the rolled hem feature. It's a lot of fun to use and not as hard to thread as I had imagined. The Baby Lock sergers have the air threading feature which is supposed to be wonderful. Have fun shopping for your serger. I think you will love it once you have it.

I recently got the Brother 1034D and have been very pleased with it. I haven't made a serger quilt, but used it for a quilted bag and have made a bunch of pajama pants for the family. I know it would be nice to have the $5000 self threading one, but this was in the $200 range and so far no regrets.

With sergers like anything else, you get what you pay for. About twenty years ago I worked for a Bernina dealer who made her bread and butter doing custom dressmaking and alterations. Whilie I have sewn most of my life, more than 50 years, I had never done that kind of work. Using a serger in her shop convienced me that I could not live without one. In the years since sergers have become much easier to operate. Several years ago I traded my original serger for a more up to date on that is much easier to thread. I make about 20 Linus quilts a month and use the serger to make the initial envelope. I also use it to finish off the edges of my bedsize quilt backs that I will be handquilting. When I get in the mood to garmet or gift sew the serger always comes in handy. Over the years I have learned to just tie on the thread that I want to change and pull it through the loopers. I rarely have to actually rethread the whole thing. If you are willing to spend a little more money for a name brand one they will probably offer free classes. If you have small children or grandchildren you will find yourself finding all kinds of things you can make for them with a serger.

I have a pattern for different size travel bags and the pattern recommended using a serger to finish all the seams. Not really "quilts" but there is quilting within the design of the bags.....

I just use the overcast stitch on my sewing machine and it works fine.

I've had mine for around 30 years and wouldn't be without it. Mine is a singer and just basic but there are some really awesome machines. Don't know about the new ones but older ones were definitely one person machines. I'd advise shop around try them out.

I have been using a serger for 30 years and won't sew clothing without one. I have never used it for quilting though. I have a Juki 644D. If you are looking for a basic serger just to see how it does with the projects you are working on, the Brother 1034D is supposed to be fairly decent and is not too expensive.