Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This book is the perfect book for a beginner serger owner. Serger manuals are useful for getting to know the mechanics of your serger, but leave off after listing the basic stitches and settings. Serging really is different than sewing, and this book of Chris James' teaches you everything else you need to know to become very adept at using your machine. The close-up photos really illustrate what the stitches should and shouldn't look like. Her book also helps you understand how the machine works, which in turn allows you to master your machine (rather than merely follow the settings in your manual). She offers many, many tips and how-tos, and her samples are inspirational. I have noticed several small mistakes, such as a mismatch of needle sizes (she says 80/14 and 90/16 rather than 80/12 and 90/14, and at least one of her rolled hem close-ups is mislabeled.) Don't let that stop you from purchasing this book however. I teach serger classes to new serger owners and much of what I discuss comes from this book. I also have the "Serger Secrets" book. It shows more specific applications; very useful as well. I also refer to my "Polar Fleece Adventures" series by Nancy Cornwall often as I serge with fleece frequently.