First Time Sewing with a Serger

The very first thing that I learned was that I don't own a serger sewing machine. It tells you the difference between a regular sewing machine and a serger sewing machine. If you want to sew faster, look more professional, and have it allow for seam allowance, then a serger is the way to go. It describes all of the parts and how they work in detail. It has step-by-step instructions on how to thread it along with pictures. It has detailed pictures throughout the whole book. At the end of the book, there are many projects for you to make. This is a great how-to book and a reference book.

First Time Sewing with a Serger is an instruction and tutorial guide aimed at sewists with little to no experience with sergers / overlock machines. More often today, people learn to sew in a relative vacuum, as adults, without a teacher sitting beside us. This can render what should be a fun and relaxing learning curve into a nearly insurmountable frustration. This book aims to help the beginner with a manageable learning curve, cutting out the frustration with guided step by step tutorials.

Released 26th March 2019 by Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 128 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. The ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents including interactive page number references in the index.

As a beginner's guide, the authors have presupposed absolute no prior knowledge or experience with sergers. The first 20% of the book is used illustrating the generic parts of a serger, what it is, what it does, the feet available for different effects and uses, and some tips and maintenance ideas. The drawings and photos are applicable to all makes and brands of serger and are clear and easy to follow. I have been sewing with sergers for years and found the cutaway diagrams of the formation of the overlock stitch very interesting and new to me.

The second chapter (20% of the content) shows general threading order, stitching, troubleshooting, and general sewing information. There is a lot of information in this chapter and even non-beginners will find good tips and tricks here. The last section of the chapter on removing different stitches without getting zillions of small thread snips is amazing.

There's a good chapter on the different stitches with general photographs illustrating each one. The authors have sensibly made the examples with dark ground fabric and contrasting threads in different colors -simple but very sensible. I personally had never thought to try that with all different color threads (maybe I'm not as much of an expert as I always thought).

There's a short chapter on tools and notions which almost all home sewists will already have in their sewing kits. The measurements in the book are given in standard (metric) and English (American) measurements, which is helpful.

The last 37(ish)% of the book is filled with 9 tutorial projects for home decor (4), and fashion (5). They're appealingly classic and utilitarian as well as customizable. The tutorial photos are clear and plentiful and the written instructions are understandable.

There's a resource list, slanted toward readers in North America, though an internet search will provide alternatives for readers living in other parts of the world. The index in the eARC version is also interactive with linked page numbers to the text.

Well written, clear, precise instructions aimed at the beginner. It's clear from the authors' writing styles that they're gifted teachers and generous with their tips and experience.

Five stars. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I do own a sewing machine which i have recently purchased, but it is not a Serger. For those who do own a Serger, it is a very interesting and useful book to have. There is so much packed into this book, which includes how the Serger works, the various decorative stitches, threads, sewing curves and corners and so much more. Makes me want to go and purchase a Serger! Recommended.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, which i have freely given.

This book is fantastic and I would highly recommend it for anyone interested in sewing (whether you have a serger or not). What fascinated me was how the book began by explaining the difference between a standard sewing machine and a serger, how they sew differently, how their purposes are different and how their stitches are formed differently. This really helped me, as a reader, to be clearer about what a serger is and exactly why its role is important as a separate machine. The book then guides you through threads, cones, needles, tension, stitch composition (length, width), pressure foot, sewing corners, sewing curves, before then presenting some projects to put your serger to good use. This really is an invaluable book and I would highly recommend it.

This is a really good manual for some who may be starting to use a serger. There are clear directions as well as other tips. A great resource.

Let me start off by saying that I don't own a serger, and I haven't seen one in person either. The reason I requested this book is because I'm doing book research and I needed to know the basics of using a serger to better explain a few scenes.
This book was great. It started from the basics, included a diagram on how a serger works, a guide on all the parts of the machine, and even help with threading. There was a section to help you troubleshoot whether or not your tension is correct for the fabric you're using, and a section on the different types of stitches, which was very helpful. It's all well-explained, descriptive and easy to understand.
This book is a great start, and it was exactly what I needed.

For some a serger is a scary machine; I would describe myself as one of them! Things like knowing it can do 1,300 stitches per minute or has a blade along side the needles designed to cut the fabric as you sew definitely adds to the risk factor! Thankfully Becky Hanson and Beth Baumgartel have come to the rescue.

This is a great book, it takes you almost from opening the box and plugging in the machine for the first time through learning all about its functions to making projects such as throws, curtains and skirts. There are excellent diagrams and photographs to show you how things work or should look and, I think would be more than adequate to get most people using their server or interlocker with confidence.

I was able to read a copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who is a new serger owner or has one but doesn't feel happy about using it.

A good, informative title for those looking for tips on working with a serger machine. It was easy to understand abd follow.

My husband gave me a serger machine for Christmas, I have always wanted one, but when I went to use it, I found the booklet of instructions not so easy to follow. This book is very simplistic, but at the same time, for a beginner, a heaven sent. Lots of pictures, good information of why and how to get you started. All this is followed by simple projects to get you started and sewing with a degree of confidence.
Sewing with a serger is not the same as sewing with a sewing machine, and one needs to relearn some very basic stuff about thread, bobbins (none), seams/allowance and cutting blade - this book is very helpful with this type of information

An easy to understand introduction to the serger or overlocker as we call it in the UK. Although I have owned an overlocker for a couple of years, as with most people, I usually only use it for finishing seams. This book serves as an easy lesson or aide memoir to the other things that this machine can achieve. There are step by step pictures to help even the most unsure of us to set up the machine and check if the settings are correct. The projects aren't particularly imaginative but they do form a basis for starting ones own work.
Mostly aimed at someone with a new overlocker but also lots of useful tips for the more experienced.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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!