I've been sewing more knits lately and I'd like to improve my finishing. I'm trying to decide if I want to take the plunge and buy a dedicated coverstitch machine.
So - talk to me. Do you think it's worth it? Has it improved your sewing? Do your knits look more like Ready to Wear? And do you use it?
The one thing I don't want to do is purchase a new machine and not use it.
One of the things that concerns me is that I have a serger that will do a coverstitch and I rarely convert it and use the coverstitch. Mostly because when I want to use it - I'm constructing a garment using the serger and need to coverstitch between serging a seam.
For those of you who don't know what the coverstitch is or does - it's the seam you see hemming 90% of all commercial knits. Here is a good example of what the coverstitch is, does and uses.
So - talk to me, please.
Well, I have a new this year Janome coverstitch machine, and love it! So much to learn, though, but so far it is brilliant. I also have a Huskvarna overlocker that converts to a coverstitch machine, and never used that function ever! So now I have 3 machines sitting side by side, and sewing has never been easier. I can just move straight from the overlocker to the coverstitch machine, then back whenever I need to - no rethreading or changing parts. The coverstitch machine just glides along doing hems with no wonky stretched hems. The only downside is that I do need to buy other attachments - the main one being a clear foot, and then binder attachments. But really, that is on most machines - buying an invisible zipper foot, beading foot etc.
ReplyDeleteI joined the Yahoo Coverstitch group and their knowledge and help is incredible. Lots of sites to google information. Pop down to a local dealer and give one a go with some of your own fabric. I am sure you will be impressed with what it can do and how simple it is.
I have the Brother Coverstitch you show in your post. While it is not a machine I use everyday, I do use and love it. If you sew with knits, it is a lovely machine for hemming. I am sure there are other things I could probably to with it but, for me, the purchase was made for hemming knits. It is a nice machine. I would definitely want to own one... always!
ReplyDeleteI love my coverstitch machine. I use it on every knit I sew, the results are amazing and so professional. There is a bit of a learning curve, maybe one day. I have a babylock one, bought a two attachments, like a hemmer but never use it. I do wish it had a clear foot and maybe it does. I ask at my local dealer and they say they will order one but I never get it. Go try one out at your local dealer, you will bring it home with you and never look back.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes, and yes to all of your questions. Whenever I sew knits, I use my coverstitch machine to finish the neckline, armholes, and hems. I have a separate serger and coverstitch and find having both machines to be very useful. If you already have a machine that does a coverstitch and you can get by without using it, then investing in a separate machine isn't necessary. I have to think about this more, but I seem to coverstitch at the end of a project. Again, I have a separate machine so I can't remember if I ever coverstitched something in the middle of a project.
ReplyDeleteI just need to set up my machine so I might actually use it more than once a decade... I'm glad someone has given you an in-depth reply! ;)
ReplyDeleteI think you already know my answer and advice. :-)
ReplyDeleteI also have a serger which converts. But the conversion is a pain and, as you mentioned, it has to happen in the middle of serging the garment. And not just once per garment, but multiple times. No thank you.
I have the BL Evolve which converts to a coverstitch, but it was always a pain to convert back and forth. I am more of an assembly line girl, and with a stand alone coverstitch machine I can keep that train a rollin'... I think you would definietely get alot of use out of it. I stalked Craigslist for awhile and was able to get a Janome Coverpro for a song, but if I hadn't found that one I probably would have bought a new one.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying the responses you've received here. I'm considering a coverstitch, too, but would have to reorganize to fit it in. I'll be interested in your decision and how you use it.
ReplyDeleteThe short answer to all 4 questions is yes ! My singer serger converts, but not easily, or quickly, or without Marjie's HBO words LOL. I bought that Brother 2340 in October, and love it. Much better than my other option, twin needle.
ReplyDelete...so where ya been girl ? Missed you the past few days. Was this the big weekend out ?
I just got the Brother coverstitch, and it is fabulous. It's only my second sewing machine- my Viking can do a decent stretch knit seam, but it's terrible at double needle hems. So far I'm loving the coverstitch so much that I've ripped out the hems of all the knit tops & dresses that I wear frequently & have re-done on the brother. Check out amazon's warehouse deals, I got mine for comparatively pretty cheap.
ReplyDeleteBrother 2340CV Cover Stitch - warehouse deals
Sounds like WEndy loves hers and you can't really go wrong. Do they have a return policy if you just hate it?
ReplyDeleteInteresting post and comments. I say interesting because I had a great Elna 654Pro overlocker (Serger) and was thinking about buying a coverstitch machine when I saw a second hand (but still new in box) convertable overlocker / coverstitch Elna 744. I went on the internet (font of all information) and researched and so many people said that combined machines were not good as they were a hassle to change over etc. So I purchased it thinking that I would use the original overlocker as such and leave the convertible set up as a coverstitch and therefore have 2 separate machines. However it is so easy to convert that I only use the one now....... Long story to say I LOVE the coverstitch on my machine and it gives such a great finish. I was just looking at a dress I was wearing today and I couldn't SEE the hem!! LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat; I sew lots of knits and I'm not terribly happy with the double needle hems...but I don't know where in the sewing nook I could manage to squeeze another machine.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, a cover stitch is very high up on the list of 'what I would get should I happen onto a chunk of money that wasn't already needed for something else.' ;-)
I've been thinking about one too. I'd really like my sewing to be 'finished' and zig-zag on the sewing machine just isn't cutting the mustard for a professional finish. Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteI've never even used a serger. I still sew the old way except that the machine is now electronic and argues with me.
ReplyDelete