The Ultimate Serger Answer Guide: Troubleshooting for Any Overlock Brand or Model (Creative Machine Arts Series)
by Naomi Baker, Gail Brown, Cindy Kacynski
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Book Summary Information
Author: Cindy Kacynski, Gail Brown, Naomi BakerEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1996-01-01
ISBN: 0801986451
Number of pages: 96
Publisher: Krause Publications
Book Reviews of The Ultimate Serger Answer Guide: Troubleshooting for Any Overlock Brand or Model (Creative Machine Arts Series)
Book Review: Perfect problem-solver in 2010!
Summary: 5 Stars
I got my new Husqvarna Viking Huskylock 936 a while ago, and was totally new to using sergers. I had one Norwegian book about using a serger, but real soon found that it was way too limited (most of it was description of projects), so I went on Amazon, thinking that my best bet would be to find some English language books. I am the type that really like to understand how an item works and functions, and I want to get the most out of it. I also want my sewing projects to have a perfect, professional looking finish.
I soon found out that there are quite a few books that has real good reviews, but finally decided that my choice would be Serger Secrets: High-Fashion Techniques for Creating Great-Looking Clothes. But, initially I did feel quite intimidated, thinking that it would be quite a challenge to learn how to use and understand this machine which is so different and much more complicated than an ordinary sewing machine. One of my greatest fears was that I wouldn't be able to handle challenges that arise, e.g. when things don't go as they should. After looking around, I found out that this book would be my best bet. The book covers a lot of brands of sergers, but the book was published already in 1996, so it is quite a lot older than my serger. But I soon found that it really didn't matter. I think it is wonderful how one chapter of the book covers "insider insights", brand specific serger information, for most of the serger brands (Babylock, Bernina/Bernette/Funlock, Brother/Homelock, Elna/Elnalock, Juki, Necchi/Allyn Int'l, Janome/New Home/MyLock, Pfaff/Hobbylock, Singer/Quantumlock/Ultralock, Husqvarna Viking/Huskylock and White/Speedylock/Superlock - it is quite an extensive list). The rest of the book describes problems which are general and valid no matter which serger you have. Most things are general, one serger is much like another for most things, I think. Sure new features come each year, but their general parts are mostly the same and works the same, so problem solving will be the same for the most part and even if you own a newer model of some serger (e.g. like me), you'll soon find that you find solutions to most things in the book. The features that are more new and modern is mostly covered in the instructions manual. E.g. my serger is computerized, it will tell me which tension to use etc., but despite this, the tension itself, the loopers and needles work just as on an older or more simple serger. Every time I have had a little problem, I have just gone straight to this book and found the problem in question. When you look up a challenge you're facing, the book lists several possible things which may cause it, and I have found that normally the first one on the list will make the problem disappear, like magic! I just love this book, saves me a lot of frustrations and trial and error to figure out problems! This book and Serger Secrets really has given me the confidence needed to throw myself into making things I haven't done before using techniques new to me. I am having lots of fun with all the options my fantastic high end serger has!
Actually I think that all sergers should come with a copy of this book, as all these small things that may cause you problems, may turn people off from learning to master these wonderful machines that makes your project look like made by professionals. It is easy to give up when you face challenges if you consider yourself a not too tech savvy person, but having this book sure makes a huge difference! For that reason, I can't recommend this book enough! I think it is a must-have!
There is one thing I have to make clear though - This book is not the book you turn to in order to learn how to use the serger and techniques used to get the results you want though, which is why I really think it is perfect to be paired up with Serger Secrets! If you want to look more at Serger Secrets before deciding if you want to buy it, you can find it on Google Books (quite a bit of it can be read there, so you can get a real preview of how useful it is, but you still need to buy it to really enjoy it). This book however, is my troubleshooting reference, when I have a problem, this is the one to turn to! I don't even bother to try to find the problem in my instructions manual, as this book is way better, easier to use and lists many things it sure isn't easy to imagine yourself, e.g. how adding something as simple as a thread net may be 100% necessary to get the stitches to form on some fabrics/threads, while you in some other cases need to remove the nets if you have them on... Many such small things which makes a huge difference in your every day use of your serger!
The book has "Look inside!", so take a look at the contents at the front of the book as well as the index at the back of the book - it has both, so it is easy to get an overview of what the book covers as well as look up a specific problem when it arise, using the alphabetical index. This book is very reasonable, the Amazon price is around $11 at the time and it is also available new/used from affiliate sellers from approx $7. You sure get a lot for your money!
After initially buying the two books mentioned, I chose to add a third book which I just love too, a book specifically about sewing with knits and techniques used to get professional results: (ADD PRODUCT LINK TO SINGER SEWING WITH KNITS HERE) It is amazing how this wonderful book is available from $0.91! I bought my copy listed as used at $0.99 from an Amazon affiliate seller, but when it arrived, it was brand new. I soon found that this too, just like Serger Secrets, is filled with large amounts of wonderful, high quality pictures that makes it very easy to learn the different techniques described. These three books form a wonderful trio for me - they are all so helpful and that at a very reasonable price! I have added my reviews on all three, since they're all older books, which may make some buyers skeptic, and I really want to add my view on this, I find that it has been no problem for me, I feel no need to get newer and more up-to-date books as the ones I got, cover everything I need!
More The Ultimate Serger Answer Guide: Troubleshooting for Any Overlock Brand or Model (Creative Machine Arts Series) reviews:
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Summary of The Ultimate Serger Answer Guide: Troubleshooting for Any Overlock Brand or Model (Creative Machine Arts Series)
THE user-friendly reference essential for any current or prospective serger owner:
Practical, easy solutions for any problem with any serger, no matter what the brand, model, or vintage.
Expert-savvy, timesaving tips on serger threading, needles, threads, feet, upkeep, and much more.
Comprehensive strategies that help answer "Which serger should I buy?"
Sergers offer project possibilities beyond the capabilities of ordinary sewing machines, but they also seem to have more potential for malfunctioning. Help is at hand from a book filled with solutions and troubleshooting advice for all manner of serger troubles. Rather than present ideas for projects, this guide tells you how to identify and correct everything from irregular tension, faulty flatlocking, and skipped stitches to machine jams, needle breakage, and much more. The "Insider Insights" chapter covers troubleshooting for individual models and enables users to apply solutions to virtually any brand of serger. There are also tips on buying a serger and details on needles, threads, and accessories.
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