I have owned a sewing machine for many years and am comfortable using it, I thought I would add to my skills by purchasing a Serger (Overlocker). I took it out of its box, looked it over and put it back where it stayed until I got this book.

Once I had read the book I began to understand the differences between a sewing machine and a serger. It helped me gain the confidence to use my machine. The projects included in the book are basic but the book is aimed at people with not a lot of knowledge or experience and, therefore, are pitched at the relevant level.

An excellent book to start learning how to use a serger regardless of your current level of experience.

Looking at this book really makes you want to go buy a sewing machine and start sewing. My two Aunts used to be a seamstresses and made me lots of nice things while growing up. It always peaked my curiosity and made me want to try it too. So I picked this book by chance and it has lots nice ideas to help fuel your love of sewing whether a beginner or intermediate there is something for you make.

This book is a good reference point. As someone who was learning the serger, mostly through video classes, I still find it easier to learn by watching a video, but books like these are huge help for those of us who just need a quick "Wait, what was that foot, or what was that stitch supposed to look like?" There are plenty of books out there for this topic but I like concise descriptions and big colorful pictures, and this has them!

I did not realise I had a serger. Many moons ago, I bought a second-hand overlocker. I had wanted one for some time, revelling in dreams if professionally finished garments and...it was a bargain. So far so daunting, since the snag was that it came without instructions. I struggled a while with the threading and I shamefully stowed it away in the attic. So, obviously I jumped at the chance to review what I now know is the American word for overlocker. And what a stroke of luck that was. The book really assumes nothing, it will guide you from the very start of familiarising you with its an overlocker’s parts and is very well illustrated. Very glad of this find! But please amend the title for you potential British audience.

What attracted you to this book? I'm a crafty person and I love sewing. I've owned a serger for two YEARS and haven't even taken it out of the box because it's the one sewing tool no one in my family has used. It intimidates me. Enough said!

Was it what you expected it to be? Wow. Everything I never knew I needed to know about using a serger. Enlightening and motivating, and also a little intimidating because I didn't realize how much a serger could do or how complex it is beyond the threading (the part that most intimidated me). Thankfully, this book provides clear and concise written instruction, tips and tricks, and a ton of visuals, some pictures, some drawn, depending on what served best. At first, I was a little thrown by the drawn images, but eventually I realized that they allowed a clearer view of what was being communicated in those instances. The drawings are actually my favorite part now, and their inclusion speaks to the thoughtfulness and detail that went into the making of this book.

What’s in it for me? If you're a seamstress or sewist (or whatever term you prefer), and like me, have wanted to jump into the world of serging, but have been hesitant, this book will be a great help. Outside of that very specific interest, it likely isn't. However, I'm really excited about it and look forward to putting it to use soon!
I will absolutely be buying this book for my own use!

This is a thorough, well illustrated review of serger sewing. It covers the difference between a serger and a standard sewing machine, serger uses, and how to use a serger.

You bought a machine because it's cool, looks easy, and you thought you knew what to do. Now that it's home, you have no idea where to start. Okay, here you go!

This little volume will introduce you to the purposes, parts, and processes of sergers. The clear pictures and detailed text will help you get started. And from there, you'll have lots of ideas on what your serger is designed for. Have fun - opens the world of clip and sew beyond the sewing store classroom!

Highly recommended. Your #1 go-to once you get that serger out of the box.

As an experienced sewing machine and overlocker owner I really didn't expect to gain any extra knowledge from reading this book. It was a surprise to discover it included information useful for the more advanced and a few items I wasn't aware of..
It is easy to follow with clear instructions and tips. I don't see it being out of place in any sewers library.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy in return for an honest review.

I recently bought a used serger without a user manual and without any idea how to use it. This book is geared to beginners and, with its illustrations, has been a tremendous help in figuring out how to use my serger.

This book is an excellent introduction to what a serger is for and how it works, and it includes instructions for a few projects to make with one. I am reasonably handy with a sewing machine but don't actually own a serger, and until reading this book I had only the vaguest notion of what these weird sewing machines with multiple cones of thread on top could do. Of course, because not having a serger means not having an instruction manual, I also had not the slightest idea how they work. For anyone as clueless as I was, this book does a great job explaining why someone might want one of these machines and why all the threads are needed. Detailed photos and cutaway illustrations show how different numbers of threads are taken up and formed into various stitch types. I can't imagine that any instruction manual accompanying a serger would be anywhere near this good at explaining this. Usually sewing machine manuals just show you how to thread the machine and how to change stitches, etc., but do not give details of how the machine forms each type of stitch. The project pages show some clever tricks, like threading a ribbon through the stitches of a seam for decorative joining of two pieces of fabric. This book helped me finally understand exactly what sergers are, how they work, and how they differ from standard sewing machines. I'm now tempted to get a serger; fair warning to non-serger owners that this book could end up being an expensive purchase.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance digital review copy.

I found this to be a great beginners guide to a server or overlocker whichever your prefer to call it. The book was to the point and clear. It was informative and did not patronise. Full of great tips and a great resource to give you the confidence to se a server!

This is a basic introduction to using a serger sewing machine. I found the initial instructions to be very clear and useful for learning how to use my serger. The illustrations were especially useful. I wasn't super impressed with the projects in the second half of the book - they felt a bit bland and old-fashioned to me.

I've owned a serger for years, but still consider myself an intermediate because I don't really use it that often. However, this book is great for the novice or someone who just needs a bit of a refresher. The pictures are clear and the information is solid. It's a great guide to have for any sewer. I'm actually going to buy this when it comes out in paperback.

*I received this ARC from the Publisher and NetGalley for an honest review."

I was hoping that this book might have some creative projects - could be my mistake in that that isn't the intention. good photos

I have had a serger for years, but I have always been intimidated by it. Other than very simple tasks I usually opt for my sewing machine, ending up with less polished project. This book has given me the confidence to branch out and learn more. The instructions are clear and cover all the steps to threading your serger and getting the tension right. There are a lot of tips to make the learning curve a little less steep! Highly recommended!

Wonderful, wonderful book!! As someone afraid to use a serger this book is priceless! It goes step by step through the serger, what each thread does, what each knob does, how to use it, etc. Give this book to any sewer, new or experienced!!

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

This is a great book to learn how to use a serger. I have had a server for many years but there is still so much that I don’t know about it. I learned many new techniques. I loved the projects for home decor items and I want to use it for garment sewing as well.
Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and to NetGalley for providing me a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Although I have used a serger before, this book opened my eyes on a few topics: threading the serger, different stitches with different amounts of threads, not to mention fixes to problems when using a serger.

Great handbook to have if you own a serger or are considering one. Good instructions Nice illustrations. You will like this book.

Now, hopefully, my mum will let me use her serger. Though it got me confused for a moment because I always knew this thing as an overlock, so I had to google to find out that serger is an overlock.

This introduction to serger was very well done and very clear to absolute beginners.