Sewing with Sergers: The Complete Handbook for Overlock Sewing (Serging . . . from Basics to Creative Possibilities series)

This book was purchased due to being afraid to use my new serger. Everything from the basics, including understanding the serger, its parts, the thread you need for serging and serger threading tips are all included...and much more, too! There is a chapter dedicated to serging and cutting the fabric at the same time, which is great for first time sergers! Sewing tips include how to identify the same line, sewing curved seams, cornered seams and covers many other areas. What really helps is having information about what to do when the serger thread breaks during sewing!Professional finishing of seams was addressed in this book and the maximization of your serger use for everything from patching items, to sewing lingerie, swimsuits, children's clothing and instructions for how to create your own lace trim. This was a good investment and I recommend anyone having fears about using a serger purchase this book prior to purchasing a serger so you will have a better idea about which serger will better meet your needs. The shipping was super fast, the seller was great and I enjoy shopping with Amazon!

It gives great instructions and helps remind you of just what you need to do after you have taken classes. Great pictures to go along with instructions

There's a reason this book is still in print after a quarter of a century! It occupies a useful niche not duplicated in any other books I've seen so far. It has more focus on the practicalities of actual garment construction. [Edited to add: it's been updated a few times since 1985.]The bathing suit construction sequence alone may save me many times the price of the book.The book assumes you are an experienced though not necessarily expert sewer. So, it is pithy, and in some cases assumes you will take the information and run with it. (E.g. a tip about extending a facing assumes that with a clear line drawing you will be able to figure out how to do it--without a blog-like series of ten steps with photographs.)The tips on using pearl cotton or something woolly in the loopers as very compatible in look with sweater knits are helpful, and a spur to creative design. The tips on facing to stabilize these knits are also good. The serged barrel buttons for a sweater or coat are brilliant. I feel I am much closer to being able to realize a nice-looking "blanket-stitched" coat with roll cuffs, or a sweater-jacket, after reading this book.Some of the construction information this book supplies might be found in the instructions for a sewing pattern intended specifically for sergers, but this little book will help you adapt patterns you already own for serger use, and that's the beauty of it.The line drawings ARE clear and in some cases more so than a photo would be. Yes, the fashions shown in some cases are dated, but the information is still helpful.The serger information is generic, not specific to a certain brand of serger, so in some cases you are referred to your manual for machine-specific instructions. Machines do differ.In addition to what the book DOES cover, I'd have liked some hints on how to do a few more of the common waistband treatments that employ sergers, such as serging a narrow seam allowance on the inside and topstitching or stitching in the ditch, instead of folding under and stitching by hand. That one I can figure out in the case of a full elastic waist, but when there's interfacing, a button, a buttonhole, and the ends of the waistband are sewn and turned, while the rest is serged as I just described . . . for that, it would be useful to have sequenced instructions! Also for waists with only back or side elastic! These are excellent waistlines and I'd like to know how to do them.A few other areas could usefully be expanded. There's not much on differential feed, though what's there is correct. If you have d.f., read your manual and learn when to use it, because it's invaluable for stretchy knits--and knits are why many people own a serger.All in all, a very good and useful book, and if the concept were expanded just a bit, it would be fantastic. Maybe it's time for the 2014 version?

I got a serger at my local shop last year because I could take classes for free. Then Covid-19 happened. My machine sat for over a year because I didn’t know how to use it. I finally took a class and my instructor recommended this book. I would NOT have needed the class if I had had this book. Regardless of what machine you have, this book will help. It rocks!

This book is great for serger owners.

This book covers everything you'll need to know about how to operate and adjust your serger tensions for different types of stitches for the best effect, as well as how to troubleshoot issues you may be having with it. Highly recommended!

For a pocket size book there is a lot packed in here. I do however agree with the other reviewer that some of it is dated. IMHO there is an overriding fascination with "decorative" overlocking. Thank goodness most of that has gone the way of rugs knit out of old breadbags. I would have liked to have seen a compendium of modern techniques focused on getting a good finished look similar to RTW instead of just an edge that is easy and won't ravel but looks "homemade."An argument can be made as to whether or not the generic serger info should be included when it's in the manuals for the individual machines. I kind of skipped over that part tho it seems like some of the info might be useful to people who don't have a manual or have a poorly written one, especially on a basic machine.

This inexpensive guide is worth its weight in gold! It's easy to understand and full of basic information to get you started serging. It covers all the subjects and furnishes illustrated examples.