You've been sewing for a few years now. Is it time to consider adding a serger to your sewing room? A serger uses 3,4, or 5 threads to sew a seam. It trims off the raw edges and finish the edges at the same time. When you are sewing with woven (non-stretchy) fabrics, a serger finishes the raw edges and prevents fraying. You don't have to finish the raw edges of knit fabric (they won't fray), but sewing the seams with a serger is more finished and lasting because the serged seam stretches. You may be familiar with thread "pop" when the thread breaks while sewing with t-shirt material. That won't happen with a serger. Your garments will look more professional and polished with a serger.

Another common use for a serger is finishing a single layer of fabric — the edges of a collar ruffle with a narrow rolled hem, or to finish home decoration projects like tablecloths and napkins. A great online serger course is Amy Alan's "Beginner Serging: Machine Basics and Techniques" — just looking at the course outline and course trailer will help you decide if you'd like to invest in a serger. Another way to discern if you need a serger is to look at Baby Lock's free sewing projects, such as this quick and easy serger scarf , a serger cosmetic pouch , an embellished pillow , and this serger troubleshooting presentation.

Anyone will tell you that if you are going to invest in learning a serger, the only brand to consider is a Baby Lock because not all sergers are created the same! Baby Lock has a proprietary and revolutionary technology — RevolutionAir Needle Threading — that threads needles with the push of a button. Baby Lock's RevolutionAir Looper threading ports produces air with the push of a button and threads through patented tubular loopers — no tangles, no knots, or breakage.

The Baby Lock Acclaim is a great choice for a first serger with it's wider workspace, single unit differential feed, fabric support system, 4/3/2 thread serging, advanced knife driving, one-way clutch system, vertical needle penetration, and exclusive wave stitch, among other features.

And if you'd like more information about the kind of sewing machine matches your needs, take Baby Lock's matchmaker quiz and come see us at Sewing Machine Mart for more information and a hands-on demonstration.