What is a Coverstitch Machine?
A coverstitch machine is mainly used for sewing a hem which gives a professional look with good stretch which is ideal for knit fabrics.
The finish the coverstitch gives is a very neat and accurate double line of stitching on the right side and a neat chain stitch on the underside, not much in difference to an overlocker lower looper stitch.
The finished stitch gives a very stretchy line of sewing which will fall back to a neat stitch when released.
With stretch knit fabrics becoming more popular now the coverstitch is a wonderful way of getting that professional finish. It also works great on a woven fabric.
The coverstitch does not have a bobbin, it has a looper like an overlocker, but without the cutting blade, as mentioned before it is used mainly for producing great hems, as well as necklines and cuffs.
Note: You can use a single needle which will give you a straight chain stitch and with using the chain stitch you can sew up the seams of your garment.
Whats the Most Common Use?
The most common use is with two needles, there are three needle positions where you can remove the centre needle to give you a wider set of stitches, which is preferred for heavier stretch fabric.
You can use the centre or right needles to give you a double stitching line closer to the right side, or use the centre and left needle to give you a stitching line closer to the left side, these are ideal for when stitching around necklines.
A cover stitch has a vast advantage over a sewing machine, it not only gives a professional finished look it also allows the ease of hemming and finishing garments made from very stretchy fabrics in the likes of lycra and stretchy knits.
Where generally using a sewing machine the stitch will leave a wavy finish and the durability is not as present as with a coverstitch machine, which as mentioned previously allows for the stretch to fall back when released and the durability is unsurmountable.
Two great Cover stitch machines we stock are the Brother CV3550 and the Janome CPX2000.
The Brother CV3550
The Brother CV3550 is a 5 thread coverstitch machine, the fifth thread is the top looper, this is a great feature where you want to have the looper on the top of the garment as well and underneath.
This gives more stability to the garment and you use it to top stitch a seam when you are making activewear and swimwear where the seams have a lot of tension on them, also for the hems of a very stretchy garment.
You can also use it for a decorative stitch on your garment whether you use the two or three needle function. It also looks great when you are making table runners and place mats with a contrast colour on the top looper. Or anything decorative.
This machine is the larger of the two we stock, and is louder in sound. It sounds a bit like a tractor in comparison to the Janome and we all know tractors are hard working machines.
The Brother CV3550 has a optional extra 8mm double fold binder attachment which will aid in attaching the binding around a neckline of a garment, this is great for necklines on baby bibs or anything that will require binding.
The Janome CP3000 Cover-Pro
The Janome CP3000 Cover-Pro is a 5-thread coverstitch machine. It is a solid machine with a really nice stitch and was a great improvement on the Janome CPX2000. It also adds the advantage of a fifth thread for top cover stitching.
The top cover system is very simple to use. It drops down into position when needed and pops back up out of the way when you are finished with it.
You can use two or three needles for your hems, whichever you prefer. It is a reasonably quiet, smooth-running machine with a great motor.
The Janome Coverstitch is very easy to use and extremely easy to thread, helping you achieve a professional finish on your garments.
The CP3000 also has optional 8 mm, 12 mm, or 15 mm double-fold binding attachments. With practice, these attachments can give a professional bound edge to your garment, whether on a neckline, armhole, or hem. We have found that the binding can move left or right rather than staying completely straight, so some practice is required.
This machine also has a clear foot available to purchase, which gives you better visibility when stitching hems or binding.
The Baby Lock Primo
The Baby Lock Primo is a high-quality coverstitch machine designed to give garments a professional finish with ease. It has built-in wipers for the top cover stitch, so there are no bulky attachments to add to the machine. The top cover function is simple to switch on and off when needed.
The Primo is very easy to thread, with air threading for the looper thread, an automatic needle threader, and auto tension for the needle threads. This makes it a reliable and user-friendly option for achieving consistent, professional results without the usual tension issues.
The binding attachments are simple to use, and lining up your binding is amazingly easy. This makes it a great machine for finishing necklines, armholes, hems, and other garment edges.
Cover seaming is neat and consistent, giving a professional finish every time. The foot on the machine also gives excellent visibility, making it easy to see exactly where you are sewing.
The Primo also includes useful attachments for creating belt loops and applying taping, which are a really nice addition for garment making and professional-looking finishes.
Ready to Find the Right Coverstitch Machine?
Browse our range of coverstitch machines and find the right option for your sewing projects.