I know sergers came up a little while ago.  Do you use a serger to make puppets? Do you use it for the entire puppet of just certain parts?

Sewing machines - lots of new models out there. What brand/model do you use and why? 
I have preferences for sewing clothing and craft projects. Trying to decide if I should purchase something similar to the ones I have used for about 10 years, or go with something else (that machine is no longer made).  I have tried two different brands/models in the past 2 years and not real thrilled with either of them.

Thanks for the feedback.

I would not use a serger on the whole puppet.  In fact as a rule there is not that much I would use it for on the "normal" puppet. A serger is good for fabrics that are a very loose weave or ones that need to stretch. For example spandex that is often used in sports wear or for tights need to stretch along the seam and a searger stitch is good for that.  I am currently working on refurbishing some costume characters and one thing that was happening to them, is that the foam seams have started popping open. We re-glued the seams and then took a strip of cotton duck and glued over the seams to help reinforce them. We searged the edges of the cotton strips so they would not fray. Tissue leme is another fabric that has a very open weave and I'll often searge the edges of it. While you can sew fabric together with a serger, many times you searge the edges with the serger but then sew the pieces together with a regular machine.  One place this is often done is on the lineing of a suite jacket.  Again the fabric tends to fray so you would serge the edge but you still want the seams to be open so they lay well so you then sew them with a regular machine.

I really don't have any brand prefrences.  I can pretty much sew with anything. I do tend to like the simpler machines.  I really don't like the computerized ones that much.