Coverstitch machine question

I do not have a cover stitch, and frankly, I don't feel that I am missing much....A double needle on a regular sewing machine gives the same stitch. Many of the T-shirt manufacturers use a double needle finish, though some have gone to cover stitch.....I don't think there's a nickel's worth of difference, really.

You can buy a huge passel of double needles in the width of your choice for the money they want for the coverstitch feature..............

IMHO, of course. Others will feel differently, I am sure.

Is it mainly used in T-shirt construction, of which I do none? That probably explains my lack of understanding of the process. I mainly do shirts and pants for myself and skirts and dresses and blouses for my wife. Maybe I should save my money on this one, and buy needles as you suggest. The only thing that I might use it for is the construction of Lycra bicycle clothes, which I currently buy, but am looking into for sources for fabric.I assume it would be comparable to the construction methods for t-shirts as the fabric is somewhat similar, although (stretchier[?]). I have found that even if I have to use multiple steps to accomplish the same thing that a dedicated machine might do faster, I can usually accomplish the same thing. The one caveat to that is the serger. I love that thing and it has helped my production and quality of finished product go to a higher level. I guess there are exceptions to every rule.

used mainly in hemming knits. It's two rows of what looks like topstitching on one side, with looping on the back. Sure you can hem a knit with a double needle, but it's a pain to keep it from not tunneling, and a cover stitich looks so much more professional.

You can also buy a TOP LOOP cover stitch, which is loopy on both sides, excellent for seaming activewear.

Penny S

G'day

Agreed that you can do a 'fake' coverstitch using a twin needle but it doesn't have the stretch that a coverstitch will have. I used to do twin needle (or even two x single rows) on Tshirts/knits/etc and at times the thread would break during wear, but now I do all these garments with a Coverstitch and that is not a problem anymore.

Br> I do not have a cover stitch, and frankly, I don't feel that I am

I have an embroidery machine (Singer XL5000), three sewing machines (Singer 401As), two sergers (Bernette MO234 and Huskylock 936), a blind hemmer (Babylock) *and* a coverstitch machine (Babylock)! ;-) I might not have bought the dedicated coverstitch machine if I had known I was going to win a Huskylock 905 serger (which I traded up to the Huskylock 936). You can see what a coverstitch looks like here: Take a look at the three middle examples, top row

coverstitch is used for the hems on many commercially manufactured knit garments, especially T-shirts. It has quite a lot more stretch than a straight stitch, even with a double needle, on a regular sewing machine. HTH,

Beverly

Thanks for all the clarifications. I guess that, in my case, as I don't and probably won't do much T-shirt construction, or knit fabric construction, it probably is an unnecessary purchase for me. One of those "nice to have" things, but only if discretionary money becomes available. Thanks again.

John Taylor

Browyn, Did you use wooly nylon thread in the bobbin? Just make certain it is wound by hand because of the stretchability. Although my son gave me a Pfaff 4872 about 5-6 years ago, which has a nice coverstitch, I still hem many tee shirts and such with a double needle, and always wooly nylon in the bobbin. I can't think of any time, the hem has broken. Emily

G'day Emily

Couldn't get wooly nylon back then....use it in the loopers now though, it's just great.

Br> Browyn,

It wasn't exactly a "contest", here's pics of my entries:

won the serger for the "Judges' Choice" award (four of them) in garment construction. I also won $40.00 in gift certificates at Hancock's, and $40.00 at the Mill End Store (local to me). Much fun! :-) Beverly

Congratulations!! The gowns look beautiful

Br> Joy Hardie wrote:

Thanks!

Beverly