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

by Mary Griffin, Pam Hastings, Agnes Mercik

Serger Secrets  is the best serger sewing book you'll ever own!

Mary Griffin, Pam Hastings, Agnes Mercik, Linda Lee Vivian, and Barbara Weiland, America's top serger experts share the most popular and innovative ideas for making gorgeous garments with a serger.

From pintucking and piping to quilting, shirring, and inserting a zipper--this book has the step-by-step instructions and detailed photographs sewers need to get the most from their sergers. In  Serger Secrets  you'll

* 500 photos--one for every step of every technique
* 121 solutions to 39 problems you may have with your serger
* 58 techniques--all with step-by-step instructions
* Dozens of inspiring photographs of completed garments
* 60 pages of expert advice to help you master your serger

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Fashion

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Tsedai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Serger Secrets is broken into four main sections: (1) information about the mechanics of sergers, proper needles, thread, how to deal with thread tension, and stitch variations, (2) garment gallery showing how various serger techniques can be used in practice, (3) technique guide with step-by-step instructions, and (4) troubleshooting tips. All of the images in this book are color photographs, which can be helpful for seeing visual comparisons between different types of serger thread or seeing how a technique looks in a finished design. While I may have to point out that some of their example garments may not be the most inspiring to look at, they do do an excellent job of highlighting the desired techniques.

With this book I think what comes through most clearly is the enthusiasm that the authors have for the creative use of a serger. I think the reader of the book will definitely feel encouraged to find new and interesting uses for their serger. To me the first section of the book felt a bit cluttered - too much information laid out in a less than logical manner. The writing itself was quite comprehensible and informative, but the page layout did feel a bit crowded at times. However, I do very much appreciate the photographic comparisons of various stitches and various threads. This section of the book is quite helpful in deciding which threads and stitch functions are most appropriate for various sewing and designs. The second section of the book (garment gallery) is fine, but I did not find the designs particularly inspiring myself. I actually thought the third section (step-by-step techniques) were more inspiring in terms of ideas for incorporating the serger into my own designs. I thought the techniques section (which covers everything from simple overcasting and serging a seam to using the serger to install zippers and creating new fabric with heirloom techniques) was quite exhaustive and I think it will be an excellent resource. It did, however, leave me wishing I had a coverstitch machine, which wasn't in the original serger budget, but definitely something I must consider for the future. Overall this book is an excellent resource, and I would highly recommend it as well.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy flipping through this book for ideas, but the troubleshooting section saves my bacon all the time.

[Cathleen Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book goes into overlocker and other functions my machine doesn't have. This made it actually confusing as I tried to figure which things were and were not relevant to my machine. The fashions have not stood the test of time, but the techniques have. I suggest this is not a beginner book but for those already familiar with using a serger and looking to up their game. Maybe I'll read it again next year.
I am looking to purchase a robust serger how to book but this is not it for my purposes.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the garments presented are very 80s (even earlier than the publishing date of 1996) the techniques are surprisingly relevant still. I wouldn't use couching in the same way as the book does, necessarily--that is one ugly garmnet--but knowing how to do it and ways to use it in clothing is good. Any fagoting I do is not going to be on a mauve and purple vest, but now I know how to do it. What's more, the suggested settings, such as needle size, position, type of stitich, and what thread used in each position, are really helpful. The how to pictures are very good as well. A plethora of techniques are included.

Plus, the fashion statements of the designer garment gallery are good for a laugh. :)