nygal

I have an every day sewing machine with decorative stitches and I have an embroidery machine which I LOVE. I also recently bought a quilting machine. I considered adding a serger to my studio but after reading on here and buying a book on serging. I realized I would not have much use for one.

patchsamkim

Unless you know you are REALLY going to use one, I say to just stick with your sewing machines. I have both a serger, and embroidery unit for my machine which are next to new. The serger I used for a jeans jacket, but never have made another, it sits unused. And the embroidery unit I only used in the class I took on how to use it...which was years ago, and I haven't used it. Maybe if I had girls instead of boys I could use it on clothes? I guess I got deals on both of them and THOUGHT I would use them, but my preference really is quilting...and just don't do other sewing. Maybe someday?? I keep thinking I should just sell them.

joyce blint

I've never had a serger, but have 2 embroidery machines and wouldn't trade them for anything!

Neesie

I'd go for the embroidery machine. A regular machine can finish seams (maybe not as quickly but it can still be done) but cannot do the fancy embroidery patterns.

Nanamoms

I may be a little biased as I have an embroidery machine and I sold my serger. I don't make enough apparel right now for the serger and I use my embroidery machine at least once a month. If I have a large project to do, I will use it several days in a row. JMHO!!

Jim's Gem

I don't sew clothes any more. I really wanted a serger at one time. Now I'm glad that I didn't. I have embroider capabilities on my machine but then I can sew when it's embroidering. I personally would go for an embroidery machine. I would too, it I got more into the embroidery stuff.

MadQuilter

I had a serger and never enjoyed using it so I gifted it to my DH's sister. Then I thought about getting an embroidery machine and realized that I would not like watching the embroidery machine do its thing. I would still need a second machine for sewing. In the end, I acknowledged that I don't really like embroidery so I got the best sewing machine I could afford. Recently I added a sit-down quilting machine to complete the package. One thing I heard my SIL complain about her embroidery machine which is not top of the line either. She says that she can only use one thread color at a time and she finds that annoying. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Sunnye

Thank you all for your thoughts.
I think as I was posting my query, I was also answering my own question. I do not sew clothes, so if/when I buy it will be an embroidry machine. Now to research those! I went to a demo for the newest Pfaff machine but who can afford that?!!!!! And Brother has too many Disney designs for me.
Oh well, something else to occupy my thoughts!

Sunnye

That was a lot of help, MadQuilter; thank you.

Judi in Ohio

You can do both. Sergers don't have to be expensive and I'd vote for a Juki. On the other hand I wouldn't be without an embroidery machine. The quilts you can do.