Welcome to the forum! You'll get some great tips here.

I have the Viking 936 serger which is the five-thread one, and it also does the cover stitch (very helpful in hemming sportswear), five-thread safety stitch, rolled hem, and lots more. I love it! I also have a White 1934D, which is an older, four-thread serger, a Bernina Artista 200 sewing/embroidery machine, a Bernina Activa 145 sewing machine (does decorative stitches but no embroidery) and an old Viking sewing machine that I no longer use.

You'll still need a regular sewing machine, tho, b/c the serger can't do it all. For reliability and performance, you can't beat a Bernina, altho they are rather pricey. Pfaff are nice, too, from what I have seen.

Be sure to 'test drive' any machines you are considering and bring fabric that you think you'll be using to try it out.

Whatever you get, be sure to take advantage of the classes that SHOULD come with it. Not everyone can learn about these machines from the manuals, sometimes you hafta see it in person for it to make sense. Even the videos aren't that good compared to hands-on training.

Good luck!

Mary

Here is a link that might be useful: BerninaUSA

Welcome back to sewing. As keepeminstitches said, a serger can't and won't do it all. You will need a sewing machine and preferably one that does decent buttonholes, is sturdy, and easy to operate. You don't need a top line right now. You can research on line at the manufacturer sites for the machines you like (set a budgeted amount), print the specs out, and then investigate and try the machines out--dealer offers free lessons, take them because they will pay big dividends later down your sewing life. Janome makes a decent machine with a good buttonhole plus they make Kenmores from Sears (have a 19365 I dearly love). I also have two Singers and haven't had a problem with either of those...and a Singer serger I really like to use.

You don't have to have a fobia about zippers and buttonholes. It take a bit of practice to learn (follow the zipper package instructions) and you will be okay...find a machine with a one-step buttonholer because they are the easiest to do and look about the best.

Also get yourself a good sewing text to include fitting if your daughter has fitting issues. You can borrow a few from the library to find the one you like and then purchase that book from your favorite retailer. That book is a valuable asset.