Serger Secrets: High-Fashion Techniques for Creating Great-Looking Clothes

I just bought my serger, and so far I've been so afraid of it I haven't even taken it out of the box! I've purchased about 7 books on serging, and out of all those this is THE one. Don't let the title intimidate you with the phrase "High-fashion"; it's very easy to understand, even for a newbie, and every technique is fully illustrated with plenty of photos. Rodale is known for their clear, concise, and well-written books, and this one is no exception. It is amazing how much info they packed into this book. It is truly comprehensive, covering every technique, and on every page there's a tip-box that offers wonderful little tricks to make life easier. If you have a serger, you HAVE to have this book; if you're a sewer without a serger I guarantee you'll still learn a lot from this book. Every page is inspiring, filled with beautiful garments and projects that will have you running to your sewing studio. Now, I'm going to go take my new baby out of that box!!!

I am fairly new to serging; I had accomplished the basic skills and purchased this book hoping to discover some new techniques and to get step-by-step directions for other techniques I had seen or heard of but wasn't quite sure of how to accomplish them. It wasn't quite what I expected - there aren't too many creative, innovative techniques you won't find elsewhere, but what you will find is very detailed and easy to follow information on basic techniques of garment construction. I was amazed at the ease in which some of the tasks you've traditionally done on the sewing machine can be converted to a serger in techniques that are much faster, less trouble and with really professional results. The writing is clear and concise and very easy to follow and the pictures are remarkable. Although I don't make a lot of clothing projects, I'm sure I'll get a lot of use from this book. For anyone who primarily sews clothing and is learning to serge, this book will be an absolute treasure. There's also good information on some other basics that we all need to know - how the serger works, care and maintenance, thread choices and much more. This is a good book to have on hand and I'm sure I'll refer back to it often.

Truly excellent, I refer to it all the time for creative ideas. Just like other books on sewing, some ideas are a little cheesy for my taste. Having said that, I still think this is the best creative serging guide out there. I love the serged toggle buttons, flatlocked zipper, chain stiched details, serged French seam and the keyhole back placket serging guide. My clothes have never looked better! As for the machine, they have suggestions on how to adapt sergers with fewer stitches. I bought my machine used & factory serviced--it was a much better buy than paying the same money for a new machine with fewer options.

Serger Secrets has been one of the best books on this issue that I have ever read. I loved the full color illistrations on the different stitches the serger can do. It helps the mind to use it's imagination and create anything it wants. I found so many helpful ideas throughout the book . It was just one great book.