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- Best Overall
- Singer ProFinish 14CG754 2-3-4 Thread Serger
- Teal highlights
- 25 year warranty
- Easy to learn and use
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- Premium Choice
- Brother 2340CV Coverstitch Serger Machine
- Suitable for stretch fabrics
- 25 year limited warranty
- High performance
- CHECK AVAILABILITY
- Great Value
- Janome Cover Pro 1000CPX Coverstitch Machine
- Exclusive cover
- Complete accessories
- Portable machine
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Is your good old sewing machine not cutting it for you? Are you on the hunt for something a little more sophisticated and heavy duty, one that can give you the perfect hems and sleeves and more? What you need is a coverstitch machine.
It’s quickly becoming a popular and in-demand home and studio sewing equipment due to its functionality and performance especially when it comes to working with stretch and knit fabrics. If you want to create strong, stretchable, and durable hems and top stitches, a coverstitch machine may be a great option for you.
In order to help you out on your journey, here is a complete product review and buying guide of the best coverstitch machine, so you can make the decision on whether this machine is worth investing on, and if so, which brand and model is best for your needs.
Our favorite coverstitch machines
Take a look at our eight most favorite coverstitch machines that are sure to let you create the perfect, professional-looking hems on all sorts of fabrics. We’ve got plenty of options from various well known brands, and we’ve also listed down our favorite features from each product to give you an easier time in choosing which one is best for you.
Singer ProFinish 14CG754 2-3-4 Thread Serger
Our first pick is Singer’s ProFinish thread serger, a sleek white sewing machine with two, three, and four thread capability that allows for a wide selection of different stitching options so you can enjoy crafting various projects with ease.
One of its main features is an adjustable stitch length and width, as well as a differential feed and even a color-coded lay in threading, all of which makes this serger a simple and easy to use machine while producing professional results at all times.
Furthermore, it’s a high speed machine with a capacity of 1,300 stitches per minute, and is equipped with automatic fabric trimming, allowing you to work on cuffs, sleeves, and zippers without a hassle. It also comes with four built-in rolled hems for your convenience.
- Available in white with gray or teal highlights
- 90 day to 25 year warranty on different parts
- Comes with an optional free arm
- Complete accessories set included
- Easy to learn and use
- Good option for beginners
Brother 2340CV Coverstitch Serger Machine
Second best is the Brother 2340CV coverstitch serger, a high performance machine that is perhaps one of the most durable options on this list, especially since it’s made of metal not just for the frame, but for many of the internal parts as well.
Aside from the typical two, three, and four needle coverstitch functions that most, if not all, coverstitch machines are designed with, this one also features a unique tri-cover stitch that makes it possible to create both wide and narrow cover stitches.
Plus, its color coded threading makes the sewing process easy to follow. It also makes use of a fast thread looper system for easy threading, as well as a lay-in threading to make this serger as easy to use as possible.
- Suitable for stretch fabrics and thicker materials
- 25 year limited warranty and technical support
- Comes with a standard food, gathering foot, and blind stitch
- Complete accessory bag included
- High performance and speedy machine
- Great value for money
Janome Cover Pro 1000CPX Coverstitch Machine
Taking the third spot is Janome’s Cover Pro coverstitch machine, a small and portable machine that is a must have for all serious sewists who want to make professional looking hems. It’s sold with an exclusive bundle of stitching accessories and tutorial materials.
It’s actually a perfect blend of home use and industrial grade coverstitch machine, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a professional machine such as a long arm design and high speed operations all while being portable and easy to use, especially since it pretty much works like a regular sewing machine.
Among its other excellent features are a wide strip cover hem stitching capability, unique and highly functional free arm configurations, and a special seam tightening system by Janome, making this one of the most advanced and innovative coverstitch machines out there.
- Exclusive cover hem stitching machine (no serge)
- Limited manufacturer’s warranty
- Complete accessories bundle included
- Works with regular and cone threads
- Small and portable machine
- Easy to learn and use
Juki MCS-1500 Cover Stitch and Chain Stitch Machine
Ranking fourth is the Juki MCS-1500 coverstitch and chain stitch machine, a highly functional multi-purpose machine that comes packed with lots of excellent features. Ask any user of this machine, and they’ll happily tell you that it’s well worth the price tag.
This is an ideal machine for sewing hems, sleeve cuffs, and necklines on stretch fabrics, as well as for decorative neckline stitches, and even for waist and side seams when it comes to pants, since it’s also designed for chain stitching.
What’s even better is that it comes with an adjustable differential feed that lets you sew lovely and elegant finishes. It’s also equipped with a simple and easy loop threader, as well as a presser foot lifter to make inserting fabrics easy.
- Amazon’s Choice product
- Comes with a chain stitch function
- Presser foot and exterior thread cutter included
- Can be purchased with optional accessories
- Great value for money
Brother CV3440 Single-sided Cover Stitch Machine
Another superior coverstitch machine by Brother is the CV3440 single sided coverstitch machine, which simply stands out due to its extra large workspace that measures around six by four inches, so you can easily work on large fabrics.
And if that’s not good enough, you’ll be happy to know that this machine is equipped with a one-touch tension release lever that lets you easily remove the fabric anytime you wish simply by lifting the presser foot to release thread tension.
It even comes with a free arm that makes sewing cuff sleeves, hemlines, and necklines as easy and convenient as possible. Also included are an accessible thread cutter and LED lights to make your sewing experience as easy and efficient as possible.
- Suitable for constructive and decorative applications
- Features four different stitching types
- Presser foot and thread cutter included
- Extra large 6.1 x 3.9 inch workspace
- Good option for beginners
Juki MF-7923-3 Needle Coverstitch
We also especially like Juki’s MF-7923-3 needle coverstitch machine, an industrial grade machine that comes with its own pre-assembled table and a clutch motor. It’s designed with lots of amazing features that make sewing hems and necklines a breeze, so you can do more in less time without compromising quality.
Its looper thread cam unit comes with a newly developed metal cover that protects the rotating part of the shaft in order to prevent looper thread twining. It also boasts of a unique mechanism for converting needle bar strokes so you can work on various types and weights of fabrics.
Plus, it also has a micro-lifter mechanism that lets you easily sew fabrics while the presser foot is slightly raised so that the fabric doesn’t get damaged, torn, or warped, nor slip from the workstage.
- Industrial grade machine
- Equipped with changeable stitch types
- Fully assembled table and clutch motor included
- Constant differential feed ratio
- Suitable for sportswear and knitwear
Bernette b42 Funlock Coverstitch Machine
You might also want to consider the Bernette b42 funlock coverstitch machine, a streamlined and professional looking sewing tool that screams ready for business with its three different cover stitches that make for superior stitches on hems and cuffs.
It works great on stretch and knitted fabrics with perfect looking stitches that look neat and hold strong even despite regular use of the finished fabrics. It also comes with many helpful features that make it really easy to use so you can focus on enjoying your sewing projects.
Some of these features include a separate needle threader as well as a looper threading mechanism, both of which allows for an easy needle and looper threading. That’s not to mention the built-in LED light to adequately illuminate your working area.
- Suitable for a variety of fabrics including denim
- 1 year to 5 year warranty on parts and labor
- Complete accessories set included
- Great value for money
- Easy to learn and use
Crafter’s Companion Gemini Lock Pro Serger
Last but not the least is the Crafter’s Companion gemini lock pro serger, which may look unassumingly cute and dainty, but is actually a heavy duty machine that is capable of producing high quality, professional results with every use.
It’s fast and easy to use yet creates the strongest and most long lasting stitches that you’re sure to be proud of. You can use this for stretch and knit fabrics, and you don’t have to worry about fraying whatsoever since it’s guaranteed to create a perfect and seamless finish.
This may be lightweight and portable, but it’s also highly sturdy and versatile, especially considering that it features sixteen different stitching settings for you to choose from, as well as a heavy duty cutting system and four types of easy rolled hems.
- Lightweight but sturdy machine
- Equipped with a color coded threading guide
- Comes with a presser foot pressure adjustment
- Complete accessories set included
- Suitable for beginners
Coverstitch machine FAQs
If you’re just starting to get serious in sewing clothes and are looking to purchase a dedicated machine for your hemming needs, but you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the new terms and don’t quite know where to start, don’t worry.
We are here to help. To start, here’s everything you need to know about coverstitch machines.
What is a coverstitch machine?
To put things simply, a coverstitch machine is a special type of sewing machine that is primarily used for sewing hems on garments made of stretch or knit fabrics. Oftentimes, it also doubles as a decorative machine that lets the sewist attach trims like lace and elastic onto the garment.
It has the capability to create unique stitches wherein the threads weave together so that the fabric can be stretched (such as when worn or while in the laundry) without the threads breaking or coming apart.
The main parts of a coverstitch machine are one, two, or three needles for the stitching, as well as a thread looper located below the machine that works in weaving the threads together.
What is a serger?
A serger, also called an overlocker, is a type of sewing machine that trims seam allowances and encloses raw seam edges simultaneously, aka an overlock stitch, in order to create perfectly clean and professional looking finishes to hems, cuffs, seams, and other tailored garments.
This machine typically makes use of two needles and can work with up to eight spools of threads to allow for variable stitching width and density depending on the type of fabric being sewn.
In fact, a serger can be used on different types of fabrics, from lightweight to heavy ones, and it can also be used on multiple fabric layers at once, although most sergers are designed specifically for knit fabrics.
Serger vs sewing machine
A standard sewing machine can be used for a variety of sewing fabrics, although when it comes to certain tasks, it may not be as efficient and may not produce the same quality of results as a specialized machine can do.
For example, when it comes to serging edges, a serger or overlocker is the better choice since it can “lock” the thread stitching to prevent fraying- in fact, these are actually called serger stitches.
Also, think about which materials you want to use. If you’re working with a lot of thicker materials like jeans or leather one of the best heavy duty sewing machines could be a better fit for you.
Common differences between a serger and a regular sewing machine include the number of threads and bobbins they use to create the stitches that the machines are programmed for. A serger commonly has three to five bobbins and threads, while a typical sewing machine only has one of each.
Coverstitch vs serger
While both are special types of sewing machines and largely come in similar appearances, these two machines are designed for vastly different ranges of constructional, decorative, and finishing functions. Here are some of the differences between a coverstitch and a serger:
- A serger is more time efficient due to its dual serging and trimming operation, but it’s limited in terms of functionality, unlike a coverstitch machine that can be used like a traditional sewing machine to sew fabrics
- A coverstitch machine has a bigger work area with a wider space between the machine and right hand needle
- A serger makes use of two needles, two loopers, and two cutting knives, while a coverstitch machine has three needles and one looper, and no trimmers
All that said, both a coverstitch machine and a serger have an adjustable differential feed and a free arm, both require special types of needles, and both work best with fine and strong threads.
How to choose the best coverstitch machine
Now that you have a better understanding of the differences between a coverstitch machine, a serger, and a regular sewing machine, you should also have a better idea of what type/s of machines you need to buy, depending on the usual types of sewing projects you work on.
Chances are, you already have a sewing machine at home, so you’re deciding between a serger and a coverstitch machine. It’s important to make this decision based on what functions you will be needing most that your regular sewing machine cannot be used for.
If you think you need the capabilities that both of these devices can offer, we have good news for you- there are lots of two-in-one machines available that can operate both as a serger and a coverstitch machine.
That said, whether you’re looking for a stand alone coverstitch machine or serger machine, or a multipurpose machine that offers the best of both worlds, here are some of the most important factors that you will need to consider:
Thread count
One of the most important things when it comes to a coverstitch machine is the number of threads it can accommodate and work with at any given time, since this will determine the complexity, strength, and stretch of the stitches you will be able to do.
Nowadays, most coverstitch machines feature three threads and one looper (called a four thread machine), although you can still find three thread machines with two upper threads and one looper, which is usually priced lower.
One thing you don’t really have to worry about is the threading, since most, if not all, coverstitch machines are as easy to thread as a regular sewing machine, even considering the number of threads you’ll be working with.
Price
Of course, as with any relatively big ticket purchase, the price of the product is always an important concern. A coverstitch or serger machine typically costs around 500 to 1,000 dollars depending on the brand, model, and other factors. If this is not what you had in mind and you’re looking for something you can use to fix small issues, check out these best handheld sewing machines.
What you can expect with coverstitch sewing machines is that the newer the model and the more features the machine comes with, the more expensive it will be. And while it may be nice to have the best and the latest, you need to ask yourself whether you really need those extra features if you want to get the best value for your money.
You might even want to consider buying used, as long as you know how to assess the product’s state, quality, and performance. But if you’re a serious sewist, like we mentioned earlier, you may want to invest in a dual purpose coverstitch and serger machine.
Warranty
Another important consideration that should not be overlooked is the product’s warranty. It doesn’t really matter how many awesome features a machine comes with if it can’t do these things right or can’t last as long as it should.
For this, you need a good coverage warranty to protect you from investing your money on something that may not give you the performance that it promises. It can get a little complicated, however.
Some machines may offer warranty only on labor, or just a few parts. The duration of this warranty also varies, so it’s important to do your due research and be attentive to detail.
Final thoughts
When buying the best coverstitch machine for you, it’s important to be careful and take into account all the major considerations before you make your purchase.
These include buying the best machine that you can afford, identifying and opting for the features that you actually need, seeing whether there are included attachments and accessories (and if so, what they are), and checking other customer reviews.
A coverstitch machine is a worthy investment that can grow with you if you have a passion for sewing garments. With the right machine, you can do so much in crafting the best looking outfits you’ve ever dreamed of.
