I bought my little 4 thread serger about 15 years ago for $259.00. I have used it a lot. I go around the edge of every quilt after it it quilted and have made a lot of clothes curtains , pillowcases with it. I love mine.

I have owned sergers since 1989, and love them. Not just for clothing, but for gifts and general sewing. Sometimes it sits, and sometimes I use it exclusively. I just got a new one , a Brother 1034D from Wal-Mart.com for around $220, shipped free to my local store. It has easier threading and differential feed. It is smoother and much quieter than my old Singer. At this price, It's a great addition to your sewing tools. Get the Singer Essentail Guide to Serging, and Nancy's books on serging cheap on-line (used is great!)

I had a serger and used it quite a bit. My problem was threading it......it was awful! I only used it for sewing with knits and linens that ravel. I haven't used it in the past 15 years, so I would advise you to find a friend that has one you can play with to get it out of your system. Good luck.

I know the feeling you have. I had it once. Purchased a new Bernina Serger. It's still in the box sitting in the closet. I think about it once in a while. It's been 15 years now. Soon will be a antique.

When I first started sewing I mentioned I wanted a serger to do knits and slippery fabrics. I still want it for that, but haven't used it since I took a basic class.

The Brother 1034D was recommended by my sewing teacher, and I saw it got a lot of five star reviews online at different sites. It's easy to use (I guess, lol) and is cheap. Mine was $175.00 at Cost-Co online. Hubby went and bought it as a surprise although I told him I wanted to learn to sew first.

I would love a self-threading serger but they are expensive. Here's more about the Brother:

http://www.amazon.com/Brother-1034D-.../dp/B0000CBK1L

About 8 months ago I bought the Baby Lock Evolution. A little embarressed to say that I've still never used it, but did recently take a few lessons on it. I bought it knowing that it wouldn't get used until I retired (June 15 - 13 days from now). After taking the lessons though I am happy I did buy it when I could afford to do so, and I know I will be using it a lot once I'm not working. It is an awesome machine.

They have self threaders now and If I was to trade mine in an get a new one, that is what I would buy. Personally I made t-shirts and sweatshirts and fleece outer wear with mine, but I bet it hasn't been out of the drawer I keep it in, in probably 5 years. Mine is really hard to work with as far as threading and other things. I think I would use it more if I did regular sewing but I just don't anymore. Jan

And if you go to Ken's Sewing Center as 'Kat sews' suggested, web site: www.kenssewingcenter.com/ they will work with you and will give you a good deal on whatever machine you buy. I have the Brother 1034D that I purchased form them. This is my second one, I dropped the first one and broke it, and bought my second one from them as well. This has proven to be a simple, easy to learn, very user friendly serger. Go on line and do a comparison of the low end sergers.

For years my fellow (local) sewers kept telling me that once I bought one I would wonder how I got along for so long without one. That is so true. I was of the old school mindset: Cut the edges as straight and narrow as possible and zig-zag them. Well I wonder, how did I sew so long without one. And Good luck.

I have a serger and love it but I have never used it in quilting. I love it for neatening seams on dresses and costumes but you do have to be carefully with it and re threading can be a nightmare....my advice would be borrow one if you can and have a play for a day...then you would get an idea of wether you would use it or not

I recommend Janome sergers. Find a dealer who will help you learn how to use it. Take classes!! Take more than one class! If you have to take a beginner class more than once so be it. Just use it.
Good luck.