This book has been helpful in getting started with serging. I have never had a serger before and am just learning. By using the manual from my machine and this book, I am doing OK. Some things I have more difficulty than others and I get bogged down with the instructions in the book. It may just be me or they could be more clear.

The first 8 chapters of this book are in your owners manual. Chapter 1 (what is a serger), Chapter 2 (which one to buy), Chapter 3 (thread and threading), Chapter 4 (cutting your pattern) chapter 5-8(curved seams,securing ends, sewing order and, tension balance) all already in my manual. Chapters 9-20 get a little more interesting but seems a little dated. There are tips on how to make a leotard, stirrup pants and leg warmers. First copyright is from 1985 not its not improved much in the third edition. I would have enjoyed some better pictures too. If you have a decent manual this really isn't the book for you. For me it was too dated and too basic.

Everything you need to know about serging. This book covers everything from the basics to intermediate serging. It even tells you how to thread the machine and about tension settings.

I bought a second hand old serger with no user manual, and this little book got me started even if I had absolutely no notion on how to operate a serger.
The book covers all the basic issues in a clear way both in text and with diagrams. It also helped me to recognise my machine's features and characteristics. I am currently starting to peruse the sections about serging different kinds of projects and garments and it keeps being a good book, giving generic notions and how-tos instead of being yet another collection of patterns.

Maybe, if you got your user manual and an expert friend willing to get you started, you won't need a book like this, but to me it was just what I needed.

I just bought my first serger and once it was out of the box I realized I was going to need help. I bought 3 books: This one (the one I am reviewing), along with "The Complete Serger Handbook" and "The Ultimate Serger Answer Guide". After reading all of them I am glad I have all of them....they each address different needs.

This book is wonderful once you are comfortable using your machine (ie. you can thread it and get the stitches to look like they are supposed to). It gives great advise on how to approach many different sewing projects so as to maximize the value of serging over sewing and save you time and hassle as well.

The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because although it has great diagrams (and plenty of them), I prefer actual photos (in color).