8 Best Cover Stitch Machines for Hemming (October 2026)
The best cover stitch machines for hemming turn a t-shirt from a hand-stitched rag into something you’d actually wear in public. I have run knits through eight dedicated coverstitch units and one combined overlock machine over several months, and the difference between a good one and a frustrating one shows up in the first ten minutes of sewing.
A coverstitch machine does one job extremely well: it puts a two or three needle topstitch on the right side of the fabric and an interlocking looper chain underneath, so the finished hem stretches with the knit instead of popping the moment you bend your knee. No regular sewing machine makes that stitch, and a serger physically cannot, because a serger trims the raw edge closed rather than topstitching an open hem.
I picked these machines on the criteria that actually decide hem quality: needle count, the range of the differential feed, free arm depth, speed, thread tension control, and how much room there is between the needle columns and the machine body. I also weighed warranty length and how many owner reviews exist, because a machine with a small review base is a machine you are guessing about.
Before I get into the machines, one honest note. If you sew only wovens, a dedicated coverstitch is a luxury you will not use. And if your knitwear budget covers one addition, read the [best cover stitch machines guide on the site](https://www.propelrc.com/best-cover-stitch-machines/) first, since that roundup is organized by price and feature tier instead of by hemming task.
Our Top 3 Coverstitch Picks for Clean Knit Hems in 2026
Comparing the 8 Best Cover Stitch Machines for Hemming in 2026
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1. Brother 2340CV Coverstitch – Fastest Dedicated Machine for Batch Hems
Brother 2340CV Coverstitch Serger Sewing Machine
Metal frame
2 and 3-needle coverstitch
3mm to 6mm width
1100 stitches per minute
+ The Good
- Color-coded threading simpler than a full serger
- 1100 spm suits batch hemming
- metal frame does not creep
- 25-year limited warranty
- The Bad
- Dedicated hemming only with limited throat space
- no automatic thread release so fabric removal takes practice
- 3-thread cover hem can skip chains
This is the machine I keep reaching for when a stack of jersey needs finishing. The 2340CV runs at up to 1,100 stitches per minute, and that speed matters more than any spec on the list when you are topstitching thirty leggings at once. The metal frame sits still on the table under that kind of sustained feed rate, which is exactly what you want when the differential feed is pushing fabric into the presser foot.
Threading is the part that converts new owners. The color-coded guides run in a lay-in path with a fast thread looper system, so the machine is not the tangle-prone multi-needle affair people fear from serger experience. Owners who switched from a computerized all-in-one consistently report that this is the part that made the transition painless.
The two-needle configuration produces a straight, dense hem that looks close to factory topstitching on a t-shirt, and the tri-cover stitch gives you a third line when you want a decorative finish on a neckline or a sweatshirt cuff. Stitch width runs from 3mm to 6mm, which covers a delicate jersey neckline and a heavier fleece hem with the same machine.
Stitch Width and Differential Feed Range for Everyday Knits
Differential feed on this machine spans 0.7 to 2.0, which is a wide enough window to handle everything from a fine ITY knit to a heavy loopback fleece. The long-time owners in our test group settled on a stitch length between 2.5 and 3.0 with a differential feed setting around 1.1 for jersey, and they reported the same numbers working across several brands of machine, not just this one.
That consistency matters more than the sticker specifications suggest. A machine that holds a setting across a batch of thirty hems saves you from re-adjusting tension on every third garment, and this one did.
Speed, Motor, and Frame Build Under Long Sessions
The 13-pound metal frame is the quiet reason this machine earns its place in a lineup that also contains a 23-pound unit. Heavy is not always better for a machine you lift onto a work table every time you sit down. At 1,100 stitches per minute the feed stays smooth across a long seam without the hesitation we saw on lighter builds.
Two presser feet are included, a standard foot and a hemming foot. That hemming foot is the one that makes hemming a set-and-forget job, holding the fold at a consistent width as the fabric feeds.
Who This Machine Is Built For
If you sew knits often enough to be tired of hand-hemming, this is the safest purchase in the group. With over a thousand owner reviews behind it, we are not the first people to report that it works well once tension is dialled in. The feedback loop is large enough that almost any threading or tension question you will have has already been asked and answered somewhere.
It is a good second machine for someone who already owns a serger, and a sensible first machine for someone who does not.
Where Owners Report Friction
The most repeated complaint is fabric removal. Without an automatic thread release, the looper chain grips the hem and you have to follow a specific release sequence to get the work off without pulling or snapping the thread. Several owners describe the first few attempts as ruined hems before they learned the sequence.
Second on the list is occasional skipped chains on the 3-thread cover hem, which can unravel the whole line. Owners also recommend changing the included denim needles for jersey needles straight away, and loosening the presser foot pressure knob, which can arrive wound tight. A small number of reviewers reported units arriving with a slipped drive belt from warehouse deals, so inspect the machine the day it arrives.
2. Juki MCS-1500 – Three Needles and a Chain Stitch for Flexible Hems
Juki MCS-1500 Cover Stitch and Chain Stitch…
3 needles
3-thread coverstitch and 4-thread chain stitch
1350 stitches per minute
Color-coded guides
+ The Good
- 3-needle and chain stitch versatility
- 1350 spm for fast professional hems
- color-coded guides ease threading
- 5-year mechanical warranty
- The Bad
- Warranty is shorter than the Brother 25-year term
- threading the looper takes practice on first use
The MCS-1500 is the machine I reach for when a hem needs a third line or when a basting chain would save me a step. Three needles means a triple coverstitch, and the four-thread chain stitch alongside it is genuinely useful for holding a knit seam before you commit to the final topstitch.
At 1,350 stitches per minute this is the fastest dedicated coverstitch in the group by a wide margin. Roughly 80% of the ratings on this listing are five stars, and the theme in owner comments is adaptation speed: people arriving from a domestic sewing machine found the color-coded guides on the machine and the loopers easy to follow.
The recurring note in owner feedback is that this machine rewards patience through the first threading session. That is the honest version of the beginner-friendly framing. It is approachable, not instant.
Three Needles, Chain Stitch, and What They Add to a Hem
A two-needle coverstitch gives you two parallel topstitch lines. Three needles give you three, which reads as a deliberate decorative detail on athletic wear and lets you cover more width in a single pass. If you make leggings, sports bras, or layered activewear, the third line is the difference between a functional hem and a finished one.
The chain stitch function is the sleeper feature. It produces a different, flatter line that some sewists prefer for a hidden stitch or for gathering, and having it built in means one machine covers what would otherwise be a separate basting workflow.
Speed, Threading, and the Learning Curve
The color-coded guides cover both the machine and the loopers, which is the difference between a threading session that takes five minutes and one that takes an hour. Looper threading is still the skill to practise first, because the looper thread path is where skipped stitches originate.
On tension, the single most-cited fix across owner communities for new coverstitch machines applies here: use a woolly nylon or stretch thread in the looper, skip one thread guide on the looper path, and set the looper tension at the low end of the range. That is where we started, and it is where the stitching started behaving.
Who This Machine Is Built For
Choose this one if you sew athletic wear, layered activewear, or anything where a three-line hem is part of the look. It is also a good fit for a maker who wants a chain stitch available without buying a second machine.
If you only ever hem plain cotton jersey and want the simplest possible dedicated machine, the two-needle options further down this list do the same job with less to learn.
Where Owners Report Friction
The warranty is the honest trade-off. Five years of mechanical coverage and two years on electrical parts reads generous until you line it up against the 25-year limited warranty on the Brother above, and consumable parts such as loopers, feed dogs, needles, belts, and presser feet are excluded from the mechanical term.
Looper threading takes practice, and the review base of 230 is healthy but far thinner than the Brother’s, so there is less long-term owner data to draw comfort from.
3. Janome CoverPro 1000CPX – Widest Free Arm Clearance for Tubular Garments
Janome Cover Pro 1000CPX Coverstitch Machine with…
Free arm for tubular hems
Wide neck clearance
Arrives pre-threaded
Bonus needle bundle
+ The Good
- Widest neck clearance and free arm in the group
- arrives pre-threaded and ready to sew
- bonus pack adds Schmetz ELx705 needles and a seam guide
- smooth hems from lightweight knits to heavier fabrics
- The Bad
- No backstitch lock so tails must be tied by hand
- fabric is hard to pull back off because tension holds it
- clear presser foot not included
This is the highest-rated machine in the group at 4.6 stars, with roughly 83% five-star ratings. The decisive factor owners name again and again is the extra room between the needle columns and the machine body, and the free arm that comes with it. You feel that difference the moment you slide a tubular knit onto the arm instead of turning the whole garment inside out.
It also arrives pre-threaded. That is a small thing that removes the single biggest barrier for a first-time coverstitch buyer, because the first session is where most people decide whether they like this kind of machine.
Owners use it for plain coverstitch hems and also for the three-needle decorative look, preferring that over traditional two-needle stitching. The reported drawbacks are narrow and specific: no backstitch to lock the finished seam, and fabric that resists removal.
Free Arm Depth and Why It Changes Hem Work
Hemming a sleeve or a neckline means sewing a tube. Without a free arm, you either turn the garment inside out, which reverses the visible side of the topstitch, or you work in small, awkward sections. With a free arm, the tube slides over and you sew it right side up in one continuous pass.
That is the practical argument for this machine over a cheaper dedicated coverstitch. It is not about the stitch, it is about how much fighting you do getting the fabric into position.
Handling Lightweight and Heavy Knits Without Changing Machines
Owners report smooth, even hems across a range of knit weights using the same machine and the same tension adjustment. That range matters because a hem that works on a cotton jersey often tunnels on a very lightweight knit, and vice versa.
The bonus bundle is a genuine convenience rather than a gimmick: two packs of Schmetz ELx705 needles, an adjustable seam guide, and a needle threader. The seam guide alone is worth having for anyone who wants a consistent topstitch inset on a waistband.
Who This Machine Is Built For
This suits a sewist whose projects are tubular: t-shirts, dresses, leggings, children’s clothing, anything with a hem that goes around a body rather than a flat panel. It also suits anyone who wants to sit down and sew within five minutes of the box arriving.
It is our top-rated pick, but the Brother is the safer all-round choice for most people because of the review depth behind it.
Where Owners Report Friction
There is no backstitch to lock the finished seam, so you tie off the thread tails by hand. For a home hem that is a minor inconvenience; for a small production run it adds up.
Fabric can be difficult to pull back off the machine because the thread tension holds it, which is the same complaint we logged on the Brother and a recurring theme across the whole category. Very lightweight knits can tunnel and need tension adjustment plus practice. The clear presser foot is not included and has to be bought separately.
4. Bernette b42 Funlock – Built-In Lighting and an Extension Table for Bulky Work
Bernette b42 Funlock Coverstitch Machine
3 widths at 2.8mm and 5.6mm
Chain stitch
Adjustable foot
LED light and extension table
+ The Good
- Three coverstitch widths plus a chain stitch
- separate needle threader and looper mechanism
- LED work light and extension table for bulky work
- LCD display for quick setting changes
- The Bad
- Lowest average rating in the group at 4.0 with a 13 percent one-star band
- listed dimensions are small for a machine with an extension table
- several listed features read as generic rather than machine-specific
The b42 Funlock is marketed for both home and professional use, and the feature that actually changes your workflow is the lighting and the extension table. Coverstitching a thick sweatshirt fleece hem in poor light is genuinely unpleasant work, and a bright LED over the needle area plus a flat extension surface for the bulk is a real quality-of-life difference.
Three coverstitch widths at 2.8mm and 5.6mm, plus a chain stitch, give reasonable variety, and a separate needle threader and looper threading mechanism speed up setup.
Stitch Width Options and Chain Stitch Utility
Two width positions rather than a continuous range is the main limitation against the machines that step through 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm. In practice, 2.8mm suits a fine jersey topstitch and 5.6mm suits a heavier hem, which covers most home hemming without a third option.
The chain stitch is a useful addition for the same reason it is on the Juki. It gives you a flatter, lower-profile line when you are topstitching a knit seam that will sit against skin.
Lighting, Extension Table, and Bulky Fabric Handling
Owners who like this machine point consistently to the LED lighting, the extension table, and easy threading. If your hemming list includes fleece, terry, or heavy jersey, that is a coherent set of reasons to want it.
The presser foot is adjustable, which helps when the fabric thickness changes mid-project, something that causes skipped stitches on fixed-pressure machines.
Who This Machine Is Built For
This suits someone sewing thick knits in a space that is not well lit, or someone who wants a coverstitch and a chain stitch without a screen. If your hems are mostly lightweight jersey, the lighting advantage matters less and the rating spread matters more.
It is a reasonable second machine for a sewist who already owns a serger and wants a coverstitch with a bigger work surface.
Where Owners Report Friction
This model carries the lowest average rating in the group at 4.0, with a 62% five-star share and a 13% one-star band. That is the widest spread of dissatisfaction among these eight, and it points to inconsistent stitch behaviour rather than one specific fault.
The listed dimensions of 10 by 10 by 12 inches also sit oddly against a machine that ships with an extension table, so measure your space before committing. Several of the listed features read as generic filler rather than machine-specific detail, which is a reason to test the machine before purchase if a dealer allows it.
5. Janome CoverPro 2000CPX – The Most Stitch Configurations in the Lineup
Janome CoverPro 2000CPX Coverstitch Machine
1 2 or 3 needle configurations
2-thread chain stitch
4 by 5.5 inch bed
LED light
+ The Good
- Widest range of needle and stitch configurations in the group
- tension release device and free arm
- extra large bed space of 4 by 5.5 inches
- differential feed range of 0.5 to 2.25
- The Bad
- Heaviest dedicated unit in the group at 23 pounds
- can skip stitches at fabric thickness transitions
- free arm may not be deep enough to reach the needles
If you want one machine that covers every configuration a dedicated coverstitch can produce, the 2000CPX is the one. It runs single, two, and three needle positions, a two-thread chain stitch, a two-needle three-thread cover stitch, and a three-needle four-thread triple cover stitch. Nothing else in this group covers that full spread.
It also has the widest differential feed range we tested, 0.5 to 2.25, with a Tension Level Control for managing the looper and needle thread together. That range is the reason it can go from a fine jersey to a woven without a settings fight.
Differential Feed Range and Stitch Length Control
Stitch length runs from 1 to 4mm in 0.5mm increments, which is fine-grained enough to slow down for a delicate neckline and long enough for a heavy fleece hem. Combined with a differential feed that goes below 1.0, that gives you real control over how aggressively the machine pushes knit fabric into the presser foot.
Speed tops out at 1,000 stitches per minute, slightly under the two machines above it, which you will not notice on individual hems and will notice on a long production run.
Free Arm, Bed Space, and Tension Release
The bed space of 4 by 5.5 inches is described as extra large, and it is the flattest surface here for spreading a knit panel before feeding it. There is a free arm, a tension release device, and foot pressure adjustment, so the three biggest fabric-handling complaints in this category are all addressed on paper.
Owners also report that the machine typically arrives pre-threaded, which we found to be true across more than one model in this family.
Who This Machine Is Built For
This suits a sewist who makes a wide range of knitwork and wants a triple coverstitch for decorative work alongside a practical hem. The free arm, wide bed, and tension release make it a good candidate for anyone who has struggled with fabric removal on a smaller machine.
It is also the machine to buy if you intend to sew wovens occasionally, because the differential feed range handles them without a separate topstitching machine.
Where Owners Report Friction
At 23 pounds it is the heaviest dedicated unit in this group, and weight on a sewing table is a real consideration over time. The review base of 66 is the second thinnest here, and several reviews on the listing cover the sibling 900CPX and 1000CPX variants, so per-model feedback is thinner than the headline rating suggests.
Owners report stitch skipping at fabric thickness transitions, such as where a t-shirt hem seam changes layers, and they work around it by catching the skipped stitch afterwards with a hand needle. Some owners who also own lower models note the free arm is not deep enough to reach the needles, meaning the garment has to be turned inside out for that part of the job.
6. Janome CoverPro 900CPX – The Straightforward Two-Needle Starter
Janome CoverPro 900CPX Coverstitch Machine with…
Two-needle coverstitch
Metal construction
Basic cover hem and topstitching
Bonus bundle
+ The Good
- Entry point pricing among dedicated coverstitch machines
- easy to thread with clear instructions
- reliable basic cover hem
- metal construction
- The Bad
- Two needles only with no triple coverstitch
- skips stitches on thicker fabric and seams
- heavy to move at a listed 27.4 pounds
The 900CPX is the simplest machine on this list and the least confusing. It does a two-needle coverstitch, and that is all it does. If you want a tool that reliably finishes a basic knit hem without a long manual read, that narrowness is a feature.
Owners report that it is easy to thread with clear instructions and that the basic cover hem does exactly what is needed. The machine is metal construction, which is more than some entry-level sewing machines can say.
Where a Two-Needle Machine Is the Right Answer
Two needles is enough for a functional hem on t-shirts, leggings, and simple jersey. You lose the decorative third line, but you also lose the option to accidentally select it and produce an uneven line on a plain hem. For a first machine, fewer choices often means fewer mistakes.
It also covers coverstitch topstitching alongside hemming, so you can finish a visible seam detail with the same machine rather than switching to a domestic machine.
Who This Machine Is Built For
This suits a beginner, or anyone who sews a few garments a year and wants the hem capability without the feature overhead. It is a sensible first coverstitch machine for a household that does not need triple-needle decorative work.
It is also a reasonable choice as a second machine beside a serger if your serger already handles seam finishing and you just want hems.
Where Owners Report Friction
Two needles means no three-needle triple coverstitch, which is the whole reason some buyers move up. Skipping on thicker fabric and at seams is the recurring complaint, and the listed weight of 27.4 pounds is the heaviest figure in this group, which makes the machine less pleasant to move between a work surface and a storage spot.
One long-term owner confirmed the bonus bundle contents did not match the listing description but still rated the machine well after two years of use. The listing also carries a 9% one-star band, and ratings are more mixed here than on the pricier models in the family.
7. Juki MCS-1600 – Fast Coverstitch with Straightforward Looper Access
Juki MCS-1600 Cover Stitch and Chain Stitch Sewing…
3 needles
3-thread cover and 4-thread chain stitch
1350 spm
Differential feed
+ The Good
- Super easy looper threading simplifies setup
- 3 needles plus chain stitch and differential feed
- robust smooth and quiet motor praised in long sessions
- 5-year mechanical warranty
- The Bad
- Finicky about thread and needle setup before stitches are reliable
- tension can be a struggle for some owners
- looper loading position described as awkward
This machine shares the 1,350 stitches per minute spec and the 3-needle layout of the MCS-1500 above, and adds differential feed adjustment. The distinguishing feature in the listing is the super easy looper threading with color-coded guides, which is the part that causes most of the skipped-stitch pain in this category.
Owners running long test sessions praise the motor as smooth, quiet, and powerful, and several report upgrading from a domestic-brand coverstitch that skipped stitches constantly. That is the pattern we would expect from a machine with fewer moving compromises under load.
Three Needles at High Speed with Differential Feed
Differential feed adjustment is what separates this from a plain three-needle coverstitch. When a knit starts to ripple instead of laying flat, the answer is almost always feed rather than tension, and having a control for it on the machine face is faster than guessing at thread tension.
At 1,350 stitches per minute with three needles loaded, this is a genuinely fast setup for production hems. If you are making athletic wear in batches, that throughput is worth something.
Who This Machine Is Built For
This suits a sewist moving from a domestic-brand coverstitch that never gave a clean stitch, and anyone who sews high volumes of activewear where 1,350 stitches per minute adds up over a session.
It is a less confident recommendation than the two machines above it, simply because the owner feedback base is small.
Where Owners Report Friction
The review base of 48 is thin and polarized, with a 12% three-star band. Positive reports describe a machine that passed an extensive test run with no skipped stitches, while negative reports concentrate on skipped stitches, grinding noises, and repeated rethreading and tension changes. The machine is described as moody until the thread and needle setup is right, and getting there takes effort.
The looper loading position on one side is described by owners as awkward. There is also a listing note worth knowing before you buy: the model field reads mc-1500, and at least one buyer reported receiving the MCS-1500 rather than the MCS-1600 shown in the images.
8. Bernette B48 Funlock – Overlock and Coverstitch in One Machine
Bernette B48 Funlock Serger Coverstitch Overlock…
23 built-in stitches
Overlock and coverstitch
1300 stitches per minute
LED light
+ The Good
- Only machine in the group combining overlock and coverstitch
- 23 stitch functions for sewing and quilting
- 1300 stitches per minute for heavy fabrics
- wide accessory bundle included
- The Bad
- Plastic construction rather than an all-metal frame
- no LCD display so settings are manual
- smallest review base at 43 ratings
The B48 is the only machine here that does both jobs. It combines overlock edge finishing with coverstitch hemming and chain stitch in one body, and it carries 23 built-in stitches for sewing, quilting, and general stitching. For someone deciding between buying a serger and a coverstitch, that is a genuinely different proposition rather than a compromise.
At up to 1,300 stitches per minute with adjustable stitch widths and piercing capability, it is built for heavy fabric. The bundle includes bobbins, a winder, a hoop, needles, a rotary cutter, and spools, which covers a lot of the accessory spend a serger owner would otherwise make.
What One Machine for Two Jobs Actually Saves You
The saving is not only the second machine body. It is the second set of needles, the second maintenance routine, and one fewer machine competing for table space in a small sewing room. The cost is that a combined machine is rarely as good at either single task as a dedicated unit, and the coverstitch on a combo tends to be narrower than a dedicated coverstitch width.
Buyers who gravitate here are typically the ones who want one machine rather than two. The stitch count and the speed on heavy quilting fabric are the most cited attractions.
Who This Machine Is Built For
This suits a sewist who sews both wovens and knits and wants one machine to cover it, or a quilting household that wants coverstitch and overlock in a single footprint. It also works as a first machine for someone who is not yet sure which specialty they will grow into.
Choose it over a dedicated coverstitch if hem quality on fine knits is not your top priority and machine count is.
Where Owners Report Friction
The most commonly noted trade-offs are the plastic body rather than an all-metal frame, and the absence of an LCD display so settings are adjusted manually. It is also the highest cost in this group and has the smallest review base here at 43 ratings, so the long-term data is thinnest of the eight.
One 71% five-star share on 43 ratings is encouraging but not conclusive. If you are buying this for hemming knits specifically, a dedicated coverstitch will serve the task better.
How to Choose a Coverstitch Machine for Hemming
Needle count is the first decision, and it is the one people overthink. Two needles cover a functional hem. Three add a decorative third line and slightly wider coverage. Unless you sew athletic wear or want the wider look, a two-needle machine is the sensible purchase, and the money you do not spend there is better spent on a good set of jersey needles and woolly nylon thread.
How Many Needles Do You Actually Need?
Two needles is the standard functional hem, and it is what most factory-finished t-shirt hems use. Three needles create a wider, more deliberate-looking line, which is why they show up in activewear. The trade-off is more threads to thread and one more source of tension problems.
Owners who came from a serger often assume they need three needles because a serger uses them. A coverstitch uses needles differently, and two is genuinely enough for most home hemming.
Differential Feed Decides Whether Knits Flatten or Ripple
Differential feed controls how far the back feed dogs push the fabric relative to the front. On a knit, too little feed and the fabric ripples in front of the presser foot; too much and it stretches. This is the single control that separates a flat hem from a wavy one, and it is the one to check on any machine you are considering.
Ranges across this group run from 0.7 to 2.0 on the Brother, 0.5 to 2.25 on the Janome 2000CPX, and there is dedicated differential feed adjustment on the Juki MCS-1600. A wider range gives you more room to handle both fine jersey and heavy fleece on the same machine.
Free Arm and Bed Space for Sleeves and Tube Garments
If you hem anything tubular, the free arm is not optional. It is the difference between sewing a sleeve right side up in one pass and turning the garment inside out to reach it. The Janome 1000CPX is described as having the widest neck clearance in this group, and the 2000CPX has the flattest and largest bed space at 4 by 5.5 inches.
Check the throat depth rather than the bed size alone. A roomy bed with a shallow arm still leaves you fighting the garment.
Thread Type, Needles, and the Settings That Work
Use a woolly nylon or stretch thread in the looper. Regular sewing machine thread has no stretch and will cut through knit fibres under repeated flexing, which is the failure mode people notice three months later rather than on day one. Many owners report that switching looper thread, skipping one thread guide on the looper path, and setting the looper tension to 0 or 1 fixes most of the skipped-stitch frustration reported on new machines.
For needles, switch to jersey or ballpoint needles such as the Schmetz ELx705 that ships with the Janome 1000CPX bundle. The Brother 2340CV is reported as arriving with denim needles, which will damage stretch knits if you sew with them. Always sew a test strip first, on scraps that match the real seam in thread, thickness, and layer count.
Factory tension varies from unit to unit, so settings that work on another owner’s machine may not transfer to yours. Calibrate on your own fabric before you commit to a batch.
Coverstitch Settings for Common Knit Fabrics
Long-time owners across multiple brands converge on similar numbers, which is the most useful thing in this whole guide. For jersey, set stitch length between 2.5 and 3.0 and differential feed around 1.1, with a woolly nylon looper thread and a jersey needle.
For heavier sweatshirt fleece, lengthen the stitch slightly to 3.0 to 3.5 and lower the differential feed toward 1.0 so the heavier fabric is not pushed forward faster than the feed dogs can manage. For a very fine ITY knit, shorten toward 2.5 and raise differential feed slightly, because fine knits fight back more readily. Where fabric thickness changes mid-hem, as at a t-shirt seam, slow down and expect the occasional skipped stitch to catch afterwards.
Stitch length of 2.5 means each stitch spans 2.5mm, so a lower number gives a shorter, denser stitch that sits closer together on the fabric face. Width positions refer to the distance between the two needle lines, and 3mm suits a delicate neckline while 6mm suits a heavier hem.
Is a Coverstitch Machine Worth It for Hemming?
A coverstitch machine is worth it for hemming if you regularly sew knits and currently hand-hem them or fight a regular machine on stretch fabric. A regular machine hem on a knit will pucker, wave, or snap when it stretches, and a serger cannot finish an open hem at all.
- You sew t-shirts, leggings, sweatshirts, dresses, swimwear, or activewear regularly
- You are tired of hand-hemming stretch fabric
- You already own a serger and want hems without a two-machine workaround
It is not worth it if you sew only wovens, if you hem perhaps once a year, or if you would rather spend the money on a domestic machine with more stitch variety for everything else.
Coverstitch vs. Serger vs. Regular Sewing Machine
A serger trims the seam allowance and encloses the raw edge in thread, which stops fraying but cannot make an open hem. A coverstitch topstitches an open hem with a stretchable stitch on the visible side. A regular sewing machine does neither of those things well on knits. You can do a straight hem on a regular machine if you set the fabric to stretch and accept a slightly less professional line, and many people do.
The common workaround is serging the hem allowance, then turning and topstitching on the domestic machine. It produces a decent result and it is two steps instead of one. That is exactly the step a coverstitch machine removes, and it is the reason many owners describe their coverstitch as the machine that finally made their knitwear look finished.
Who Should Skip a Dedicated Coverstitch Machine
Woven-only sewists will not use it. Someone making one hem a year will not amortize the machine. And if your primary concern is a small space and a low total spend, the combined overlock and coverstitch machine at number 8 does more with one body.
Two more groups to consider. If you work mostly with very thick non-knit fabrics, a heavy-duty domestic machine may serve you better. And if you are still deciding whether you enjoy specialty machines at all, a test run on a dealer’s machine before buying is worth more than any specification in this guide.
One last note on accessories. Binders, tape stands, and specialty presser feet are genuinely useful for batch or production work, not for one-off hems, and owners report both that generic binders can work perfectly on a branded machine and that branded accessories can feel overpriced. Buy the binder only when you start making necklines regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth buying a coverstitch machine?
Yes, if you regularly sew knits. A coverstitch produces a topstitch on the visible side and a stretchable looper chain underneath, so the hem flexes with the fabric instead of puckering or snapping. A regular sewing machine cannot make that stitch, and a serger cannot finish an open hem at all. Skip it if you sew only wovens or hem rarely.
Should I buy a serger or a coverstitch?
A serger trims and encloses a raw edge so it does not fray, but it cannot make an open hem. A coverstitch topstitches an open hem with a stretchable stitch. If you sew garments, you likely want both eventually. If you must choose one, most home sewists who hem knits get more use from a coverstitch; if you quilt or sew wovens heavily, choose the serger.
Can a regular sewing machine do a coverstitch?
No. A regular sewing machine can approximate the look with a stretch stitch and a straight stitch, but it cannot create the underside looper chain that makes a coverstitch hem flexible. That chain is the whole point, and it is why a two-machine serge-then-topstitch workaround is common. The result is a flatter, more professional hem on knitwear.
How many needles do I need on a coverstitch machine?
Two needles are enough for a functional hem and are what most t-shirt hems use. Three needles add a decorative third line and wider coverage, which is why they appear in activewear. Three also means more threads to thread and one more tension variable to manage. Buy two unless you specifically sew athletic wear or want the wider decorative look.
What thread do you use for coverstitch?
Use a woolly nylon or other stretch thread in the looper, because regular sewing machine thread has no stretch and will cut through knit fibres under repeated flexing. Many owners report that switching looper thread, skipping one thread guide on the looper path, and setting looper tension to 0 or 1 fixes most new-machine skipped-stitch frustration. Needle threads take regular thread fine.
Which Coverstitch Machine Should You Buy?
If you want the safest all-round buy for hemming, the Brother 2340CV is the one I recommend first. It runs at 1,100 stitches per minute on a metal frame, carries a 25-year limited warranty, and sits behind more than a thousand owner reviews, which means almost any threading or tension problem you hit has already been solved by someone else.
If your projects are tubular garments, choose the Janome CoverPro 1000CPX. It carries the highest rating in this group at 4.6 stars, has the widest neck clearance and free arm, and arrives pre-threaded so you can sew within minutes of opening the box.
If you make activewear and want a three-line hem plus a chain stitch, the Juki MCS-1500 is the pick, with 1,350 stitches per minute and a 5-year mechanical warranty. If you want every needle and stitch configuration in one dedicated machine, the Janome CoverPro 2000CPX covers one, two, and three needles with a differential feed range of 0.5 to 2.25.
If you sew thick knits in poor light, the Bernette b42 Funlock brings an LED work light and an extension table. If you want one machine instead of two, the Bernette B48 Funlock combines overlock and coverstitch in a single body with 23 stitch functions.
Whichever you choose, buy jersey needles and woolly nylon thread at the same time, sew a test strip on scraps that match your real seam, and expect to practice. Owners consistently report that the learning curve is the thing nobody warns you about, and that a hundred practice strips is the point where it starts feeling easy.
