Serger With Coverstitch: Can a Serger Coverstitch?
When you want strength and stretchability you turn to a cover stitch to handle both tasks at once. It is a great-looking stitch pattern to use as well. It makes your sewing projects look like a professional did the work.
Can a serger coverstitch? While a cover stitch machine looks more like a sewing machine than a serger machine, you do not lose out by turning to the latter to help your sewing projects. There are at least 5 great serger sewing machines that can do a great cover stitch for you.
To learn more about serger machines and cover stitches, just continue to read our article. Our article covers this topic so you get the information you need. When you need to do a cover stitch, do not ignore the serger machine. They do a great job in creating one.
Serger With Coverstitch 101
Is a Coverstitch Machine the Same as a Serger?
The simple answer is that no, the two are not one and the same. That distinction goes to the overlooker and the serger as Americans call those sewing machines sergers while the rest of the world calls them an overlook machine.
The cover stitch machine looks more like a sewing machine but it handles the cover stitch with ease. It creates a great work and finishes hems and other sewing projects with grace and class. In other words, your clothes will look great when you use a cover stitch machine.
On the other hand, you can get top serger machines that come with the cover stitch option. The only drawback is that to use the cover stitch function you may be faced with a lot of extra work to switch to the cover stitch function on a serger combination.
Many experienced sewers avoid the switch over because it is just not convenient to do. They prefer to use 2 separate machines over having to do the switch over during their swing time.
What is Coverstitch Serger?
A cover stitch serger is a sewing machine that handles a variety of threads at the same time. In the process of doing that, these sergers can be manipulated to run the cover stitch feature that are included on some models.
The top 5 serger machines with the cover stitch option can still do between 1,000 and 1,500 stitches per minute as well as use between 3 and 4 threads at the same time.
Basically, this combination is the manufacturers’ attempt to make sewing a little more convenient for those who cannot afford more than one machine. They are providing you with as many options as possible even though the switch overs are not simple to do.
If you can handle the inconvenient switch over then you should try to get a serger machine with a cover stitch. In the long run it may be what is the best option for you and your sewing projects.
What is a Coverstitch Machine Used For?
One task a cover stitch machine is used for is hemming. Those hems can be difficult to do and a cover stitch machine handles it the best for you. That is about the only task you would need a cover stitch machine.
Some experienced sewing people consider the cover stitch machine more of an extravagance and it is not really needed. But those are the same people who own one and use it when they have a lot of hems to get finished.
The simplicity of the machine is what makes it worth buying. You do not have to alter the tension that much, they thread easily and you do not have to buy special threads for it. In fact, you can use regular thread or serger cones if you want.
Also, the cover stitch machine just takes the work out of doing a hem, any hem. It is fast and makes the experience more enjoyable than using any other machine or doing a hem by hand.
If you want, another task this machine does is to handle top stitching when you have a lot of elastics to sew into different types of clothing, for example swim wear. The machine goes fast and can save you a lot of time, especially when sewing knits.
The cover stitch machine is handy and has its constructive uses that makes sewing a great hobby to be involved with.
Can a Serger Coverstitch?
Yes, it can but it may take some work to do without the cover stitch option. Here are some simple steps to follow to get the cover stitch done on a serger machine:
- Once you have set up your serger, rotate the hand wheel towards you one full turn.
- Place the cloth you are sewing right side up and under the foot. Now you can start sewing.
- Now here is an important step you have to watch out for. Do not sew off the fabric to create a chain. If you do not stop at the end of the fabric, the thread will break. When the thread breaks you have to re-thread the machine again.
- Once you are at the end of the thread and you have stopped sewing, turn the hand wheel again till the needles are at their highest point. When you have done this, release the thread.
- Use tweezers now and pull the needles toward you. Make sure you have raised the presser foot before you start pulling those needles.
- After that is done, you need to make sure you have a 4 inch tail on both needles. You can cut the threads to create those tails.
- At this stage, you pull the fabric from the presser foot and be gentle when doing so. This action lifts the looper thread so you can cut it off. The needle thread should pull to the wrong side securing your cover stitch.
If this is a too complicated process, then you may save time by using a serger machine with a cover stitch function. Or simply buy a cover stitch machine and save yourself a lot of time.
Difference Between Soverstitch and Serger
Even though they work hard to help you create a great sewing project, the two machines have different functions and purposes. One of the first differences is that the cover stitch machine has only one looper thread. The serger has 2.
Another difference is that the serger comes with about 2 cutting knives that trim off fabric to keep it all even and looking good. The cover stitch machine does not have this feature.
Also, the cover stitch machine may come with 3 needles while the serger usually only has 2. Then the needle plate may be larger on the cover stitch machine than the one found on the serger machine.
Finally, space is one difference you get. The serger usually restricts you to the edges of the fabric whereas the cover stitch machine does not. This gives you more sewing options and space to work with.
How to Make a Coverstitch With a Serger
If you do not have a serger with a cover stitch option, you will find that doing a cover stitch on a serger machine is complicated and hard to do. It will take some skill to master how to do the cover stitch but once you get it down the process may speed up some.
The key to doing a cover stitch on a serger machine without the added feature is to not sew off the edge of the fabrics. If you do the thread will break forcing you to take time to re-thread your serger machine.
Also, you need to maintain a 4 inch tail when you are going for the cover stitch. It is a lot of work and to get a good cover stitch to work properly on your serger.
Best Serger With Coverstitch Combo
There are several top serger combinations on the market today. If you can afford a Bernina that may be the best machine to use. But like other combinations, the Bernina is not a simple machine to make the switch over.
Here are a few serger combinations that may make your sewing life a little easier:
- Brother Serger 2340CV cover stitch advanced - it sews at 1,100 stitches per minute and uses 4 threads
- Janome Cover Pro 1000CPX Coverstitch Machine - sews at 1,000 spm and uses 3 or 4 threads
- SINGER ProFinish 14CG754 Serger - 1,300 spm speed and uses 2 to 4 threads
- Juki 1-Needle Overlock Machine MO-623 - has 1,500 spm speed and handles 3 threads at one time.
Some Final Words
If you want a professional look to your sewing project, then you want to do be able to do a cover stitch. You can buy a separate cover stitch machine and save yourself a lot of time and effort. But if you do not have the money to do that, you can use your current serger machine to handle that task.
The choice is up to you but don’t count a serger machine out as it handles a lot of sewing tasks in different ways.
