What do you think? Do I need one of these?I've got a birthday coming up and I'm toying with the idea of asking for a CoverPro 900 machine to take care of my coverstitching needs. I sew with knits a fair amount and I'm intrigued by the idea of more professional, more durable hems. (Right now I use a twin needle and wooly nylon in the bobbin.)
I know some of you already have coverstitch machines, or sergers that can also coverstitch, and some of you have recently acquired coverstitch machines. What do you think of them? Do you use them consistently, and are you happier with your hems now? Do you use them on non-knit fabrics too?
I didn't have a clue coverstitch machines were even available to the home sewing market until I started sewing again. But I'm like a guy who covets his neighbor's power tools: I see all these cool sewing machines and sergers and I want them too. So, get one for my birthday or ask for a cashmere sweater instead? Your thoughts and observations are greatly appreciated.
32 comments:
I have coverstitch as part of my serger and I LOVE IT!! I'm petite so I often have to shorten store bought tops. The coverstitch is very handy.
Go for the coverstitch. I'd like to have one as the twin needle method looks okay from the front but not like RTW underneath -- unless there is a trick I need to learn. You can make some great organic cotton twin sets. :-)
I bought a Coverpro 900 and have some comments.
1. It is not easy to attach standard industry binders and folders (which make binding much easier.) The Coverpro binders are very expensive. I went to Lowe's and found some metal plates that work okay, but it's not the easiest solution.
2. There is only one width -- ie the needle positions are fixed at a medium spacing. The Coverpro 1000 has a narrow setting, as do industrials. As I look down at the sleeve of my tee shirt, I can see it is coverstitched at a narrower spacing than I would be able to achieve.
3. I believe there is a long discussion on PatternReview about coverstitch machines. Be sure to look there before you decide which machine to get. I think Debbie Cook has written a lot on the topic.
4. I did not think to check prices on used industrial models. I don't know why I didn't, since I love my used juki lockstitch machine. I think I might have been happier with the flexibility of an industrial.
5. All that said, I do like the coverstitch itself, the machine is solid, the binders and folders I got are fun to use with it.
I think the CoverPro 900 is being phased out, that's why the prices are so good.
It's like a serger. If you have a 2/3 thread, there are things you cannot do that you could do with a 3/4/5 thread machine.
I'm so glad you posted this! I've been asking myself the same question- I recently discovered the overcast stitch on my D1 (it's like the human brain, I only know how to utilize 20% of the machine). I wondered if this would keep me from needing a serger or coverstitch - once I figure out the what the difference is ;)
-newbiE
I have the Viking 936 which is a 2/3/4/5 serger and a coverstitcher all in one. It is a tad bit annoying to switch to the coverstitch mode but I love having the option. I could not live without a serger. I hated sewing knits befor I got the serger. I could never figure out the double-needle hem thing so a coverstitch machine is a must for me seeing as I sew a lot of knits. If you can do the double-needle thing, you may not need the coverstitch machine.
I have a Singer Quantumlock serger / coverstitch machine and I love it. I'm still trying to get the hang of making my coverstitch line up perfectly - I often have to trim the hem a little bit after I sew it. And, I don't think anyone would ever say that threading the machine is fun...
But I love it and can't remember how I ever got along without it! Good luck and have fun!! :)
I have a Babylock Imagine for a serger and the Babylock coverstitch. I love having the 2 different machines and the coverstitch looks so professtional. I have no binders for my machine and just turn under the hems and neck bindings. Check out a Babylock, the air thread system is wonderful.
If you sew with knits on a regular basis, go for the coverstitch. I have a serger and a Coverpro 1000. It is a great investment. I don't use the binders because I've haven't got around to it yet. I use it to topstitch and hem all of my knits and some wovens. I love this machine. It was a great investment.
I just twin needle as you do. I cannot justify the cost of a new machine just to do hems....sigh.
I have a Babylock Evolve and love it. Great serger and the coverstitch is a nice extra. I don't know if I'd have a separate machine, but I like having the coverstitch capability. Go for it!!
I have just purchased a coverpro 1000 and love it. I bought both the 1/2" and 1/4" binders and the hem guide. I have used the 1/2" binder and love the results. It looks so professional and is so easy to do. I also purchased the clear presser foot and it is very handy to watch the stitch lines. I say get the coverstitch machine. I love reading your blog.
I have a coverPro 1000 and I bought it on sale about a year ago . I also bought a binder and have found that that attachment has made the big difference as to how often I use the machine .The binder takes a bit of practise but makes a lovely finish Its great having them separate from the serger too as long as you have room to have them all set up together.I bought mine at quite a good price and I am not sure that I would go out and buy it unless it was on sale as its fun to have but not essential although it is very good for VERY strtchy fabric. . The Janome binder etc is quite expensive , you may be able to find a generic one that would fit I found Debbie Cooks articles about and the reviews on PR very good . Have fun deciding.
I couldn't live without a coverstitch! I have two industrials - one flatbed for hemming and another that does nothing but binding. The Babylock coverstitch is great. You can buy the much less expensive industrial binders and folders for it because it has standard attachment holes on the bed.
I love mine. I have a serger with coverstitch but hated taking the time to switch it over. I work full time so only have a limited time to sew and don't want to wast time setting machines up. I don't think you will regret it one little bit if you get one. It's so fast and looks great. I got good results first time out. No learning curve. Happy Birthday.
'Fessing up here, I just bought the Coverpro 1000 two weeks ago. It's still in the box. I've been busy.
But, I got it at an old sale price, $499, last one they had yada yada, and it was an impulse buy. I have to say that after I bought it I went and read quite a bit about it on PR and felt much better about my decision.
Still, for the amount that I sew knits, and the fact that I've been reasonably happy with my twin needle /serger combination, I think it was a pretty extravagant purchase.
oh, and I already have a yummy RL cashmere sweater. ;)
If it were between the two, I don't know? Doesnt' help you much does it?
I would lovelovelove a coverstitch machine soooooooooo much... but then, a cashmere sweater would be nice, too! Which one would you use more?
I have the Janome cp1000 and I love it. Mr vac and Mrs sewing had a great price for it when I bought it 2 years ago I paid $499 for it. I love love love using it to finish my knits. It is so much easier to get a professional finish. I sew a lot more knits now that I have it. I kept seeing how professional Debbie cooks knits were and her comparison chart and the price convinced me to go with the Janome.
You can always get the cashmere for x mas and get the machine for your birthday.
I have a combo serger/coverstitch machine. My only complaint is that it's impossible to get even, consistent cover stitches when going over seams. I've tried all the tips I've read plus a few things I thought of myself. Still, I get much smaller stitches when going over seams.
Cover stitch machines are certainly a great addition to the sewing room. I'd just suggest trying it before you buy to make sure you'll be happy.
If you sew a lot of knits, you'll appreciate the coverstitch machine. If you have a choice, get the Coverpro 1000, that's what I have. There is a little more flexibility because you can use two or three needles or do a really wide stitch by using only the outside needles. I also have two binder accessories (not cheap!) but really do a lovely job. There is a learning curve on the coverstitch machine, be prepared to be patient and make a lot of samples to get the tensions just right and get the hang of things like binding if you go for the attachments.
I have three sergers (Elna, Evolve & Singer Quantumlock, each have the capacity to do the cover stitch as well. Neither of the machine are that difficult to change over to the coverstitch option. I can easily set up one to do only the cover stitch and change the others as needed for my serging needs. I opted for the additional sergers instead of a seperate cover stitch machine and have so much flexibiity with all the machines that way.
Good Luck!
I have a Bernina serger/coverstitch machine, and I do LOVE the coverstitch capabilities, but I hate switching between overlock and coverstitch, adjusting tensions, etc. At some point, I would like a dedicated coverstitch machine--perhaps an industrial one. Happy Birthday!
I'm thinking about buying a coverstitch machine as well. I was going to replace my overlocker with one that does coverstitch, but all the machines I looked at (and you may have a better range than we have in Australia) seemed to take ages to convert from overlock to coverstitch, so I decided to go for a coverstitch. I think that it will actually increase my sewing as I will be more inclined to sew knits than before because I won't have to wrestle with the whole crappy twin needle thing that never works right ... I'll be interested to hear what you decide and what you eventually purchase.
LOL,, oh boy, I don't think is necessary in Life, but I would say, ask for it if you know you can get it. you can't bet that
I Loveeeeeeeee my coverstitch machine! I have the Janome 900 CP and LOVE it!
Oh, you need a coverstitch machine, Lindsay! I absolutely love mine. I use it all the time on my knit garments and if I want the double lines, on my wovens as well. I've got the Babylock Coverstitch machine if you're curious. You'll never regret it -- it's become almost as much of a staple in my sewing room as my serger and sewing machine. Not quite, but close. :)
Jodi
I have a 936 Viking that does the coverstitch. It takes a while to change over to the coverstitch but it's worth it. I love my serger it makes doing knits and other things fun. Perfect rolled hems and seams that look professional. You can always get a cashmere sweater but just think of all the fun you will have with your new toy. I vote for the serger!
I didn't know very much about coverstitch machines before I bought my Janome 900, I just knew I wanted that professional looking hem. I did check out Debbie Cook's site for information, and also Pattern Review. Cost was an issue especially since this machine was not a necessity, I wanted a Brother, but the Coverpro was a much better price. One review on pattern review said that you can use it straight out the box and that was what sold me. It was true. It is so much easier to thread than my serger. I didn't buy the accessory kit yet, but I am loving the results that I get from the machine. By the way I do hem wovens with the machine also. I still feel like this was such a splurge though. The only problem I have is truly matching thread colors since the hem shows. My latest solution to this problem is buying regular sized small spools of thread because spool thread colors are ok for serging, but limited for coverstitching I think.
I just checked out your Pattern Review gallery, and it looks like you do sew a lot of knits :)) So... I would go for a combo serger/coverstitch. I'm sure they're all pretty much the same, I have an Elna 744, the new version is Elna 745. Like all machines, you need to take the time to familiarize yourself with the features. The Elna has automatic tension which has been a blessing, and the coverstitch has three options; narrow, two-thread wide, three-thread wide. When sewing over seams (bumps) I lessen foot pressure (it has a dial on top of the machine).
But you know I sew mostly woven, and silk, so it doesn't get a whole lot of use. The rolled hem is absolutely fabulous, though- works perfectly on the sheerest of silks.
I got a Baby Lock serger and the CP1000 for my birthday this year in March. I had a Viking serger from years ago that I could never get to work properly. I only took the new machines out of the box this week to make Halloween costumes. I can operate both right out of the box with no instructions from the store! I am thrilled with both. I did not want the serger/coverstich combo machine because I read it is tedious to change over.
Hi Lindsay,
I have the CP900 and I think it's a good deal for the price. I can't say I LOVE it because I haven't used it enough. I do, however, use it every time I sew with a knit - so that being said, it has come in very handy. I have a lot of attachments, but find that I haven't needed them yet. It works fine to just press the hem under and stitch it. It is certainly much easier to thread than my serger, but the instruction manual is of minimal help. Debbie Cook has s ome great tutorials on her blog that I intend to go back to to get more familiar. I'm sure that the more I use this, the more I will love it. I don't think you can beat the price on the CP900
I love,love, love my BLCS machine. I bought the binder attachments from Sharp Sewing on ebay and it's worth the money just to have the binding ability never mind all the other things that I haven't explored yet. Why is it that we never have time to try something new unless it's absolutely essential for the current project that needs to be finished last week? At least that's how it works in my house. So I'm angling for some sewing emergencies that allow or should I say *require* the use of non-functional coverstitching? Like maybe some chainstitching embellishment for example.
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