The serger crapped out, and I'm pissed

Something slipped while I was still in the testing phase and a part got bent inside - can't even tell what happened. The repair people told me it wasn't exactly designed to be fixed; that's reserved for the more expensive professional models. I didn't even get a garment out of it. I hadn't saved the receipt, since the early tests had gone so well, so I can't return or exchange it.

However, having played with it a while, I've come to the conclusion that I don't really need one. I can still do everything old-school on the old 50 pound Bernina. And I've got too many projects to mope.

First, DH has 2 pairs of new sweatpants that are too long. That should take an evening, once I get one free. Work is currently insane and my days off are usually used on other things and over before I can get to the sewing. But once the pants are done, I want to do a Halloween scrub top from on-sale fabric I got - leafless trees, bats, ravens and full moons. Very spooky. I considered using some Green Man fabric I already have, which is very nice, but it's too pretty for that - I want to use it for an everyday blouse. Should be fun to see if anybody notices the pattern.

At the same time, I got some bolt-end wool/synthetic blend plaid which is nice. Cream, amber and chestnut colors. I tried to felt it, but the synthetic component just made it a little fuzzier, not denser. So I'll have to decide what it wants to be. If I base a shirt on a Japanese hippari, add a triangle to make a left overlap to the right side, fastening with a button, patch pocket on the left side and deep cuffs on the sleeves that each contain a card-sized pocket on the inside wrist (bus card, ID, bank card, work entry card), and a band to wrap all around the front opening and neck...I probably don't have enough to match the plaids. We'll see. 

I really didn't need to add to my stash. I'm so far into SABLE, I can't see my way out. (That's Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy.)