Best overlocker?

You would do well to read this

I suggest you go to each sewing machines web site and look at the different sergers(overlockers) to see what is available. Then make a date for a luncheon, an afternoon out, etc and take your Mom to a few shops and allow her to try out the machines in your price range, which can vary greatly, depending on different features. Personally, I have a Pfaff 4872, 5 threads and cover stitch, that is about 6 years old, which I enjoy using. Other people who I know have others and enjoy theirs as much as I do mine. Sewing machines, including sergers, are very personal, like the automobile, so your Mom ultimately needs to choose the one she likes and feels comfortable using.

I second Emily

Tatiana

automobile,

I agree with Emily also, you really need to test drive those that interest you. One more hint.......take your own fabric to test sew. Take pieces of whatever you will be sewing on, have sewed on or think you will sew on the most.

Val

This isn't bad to read in this case, either.

When you're trying out sergers pursuant to other suggestions, watch out for excessive vibration and ease of threading and switching to different stitches. Sergers change a lot from year to year so I can't keep up with them; there are lots of decent ones however. I have three--- two Babylocks and a Bernina. I rarely use the 15 year old Babylock anymore because it is just horrible to thread. The Bernina (800DL) is very nice, easy threading and the Babylock Evolve is especially easy to thread though rather pricey. It does everything though, including the coverstitch. I keep the Bernina set up for a regular 3 thread overlock and use the Evolve for everything else. Too bad you missed the huge sale/promotion that Babylock just had. Be sure to ask about promotions because dealers don't usually volunteer that info.

Phae

The best one for her is the one SHE is happy with, so let her do the trying and choosing. And do look at the sewing machine faq Ron pointed you at - it's the biz! :)

NEVER ever buy a sewing machine or serger for someone else withOUT their input!

You should take your mother shopping to her favorite sewing machine store and let her choose the overlocker. The choice may actually be determined by which store has a better service department.

Which is a good

Actually, the best thing you can do is to learn how to sew, and share that passion with your mother.