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

Pati Palmer (Author), Gail Brown (Author), Linda Wisner (Designer)

Book Description

Series: Serging . . . from Basics to Creative Possibilities series | Publication Date: April 1, 2004

Beginning sergers will benefit from this introductory guide to the serger machine and basic serging techniques. Information on the function of a serger and instructions on machine maintenance are provided along with step-by-step guidelines on sewing straight lines and curves, turning corners, and creating professional-looking seams. Additional details on stitch types, flatlocking, fabric tension, decorative techniques, and making fast fashion adornments such as collars, gathers, and hems are also included, and exciting projects like the serged napkin, swimsuit, and sweater will help augment the skills of the novice serger.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Palmer/Pletsch Publishing; 3rd edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935278583
• ISBN-13: 978-0935278583
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Sewing
  • #19 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

199 of 199 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little book with all the info you need - buy it!, October 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sewing With Sergers: The Complete Handbook for Overlock Sewing (Paperback)

"This humble little book is one of the best basic serger reference books on the market. It has line drawings only, with no photos and is pocket size -- not a big glossy beauty at all. But boy is it loaded with the information you need! I'm a sucker for beautiful books and fell for another basic serger book that is big and beautiful. But guess what? It doesn't begin to answer my questions in the way Gail Brown and Patty Palmer's book does. The smaller size of this book lets it snuggle right up to machine where I find myself thumbing through it all the time.

The book has a good section on serger features and how they are adjusted on various machines. This was a great help when I was shopping for my machine. The section I turn to most often (novice serger that I am) is the section describing basic stitches and their approrpirate uses. A comprehensive table describes how the machine forms each stitch, how it looks when correctly stitched and the advantages, disadvantages and typical uses of each. Another section offers excellent diagrams of stitches with incorrect tension and how to make the correcting adjustments. Almost half of the book covers serger applications in every type of sewing from business dress to children's clothes to home decor. The detail includes construction adaptations and sequences.

All in all this is a jam packed reference. You probably can't find a more comprehensive book anywhere at three times the cost of this one!"

80 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for the Advanced Beginner and beyond..., October 18, 2002

By 

heidi324 (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sewing With Sergers: The Complete Handbook for Overlock Sewing (Paperback)

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).

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to find basic information, June 23, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sewing With Sergers: The Complete Handbook for Overlock Sewing (Paperback)

I checked out all the books on serging at the library after purchasing my four-thread machine. I am a novice and I found this book, while lacking some of the extended detail of others to be very easy to move through and a good reference. I especially liked their section on the order to assemble garments and other tips to speed up serging. It has good, crisp hand-drawn illustrations, and I plan to purchase a copy to keep by my machine.