Having owned a second-hand coverstitch machine for a couple of years, I'm *finally* going to thread it up for a few alteration projects. Younger DD is height-challenged, so T-shirts are always too long (along with everything else). So today, I'm going to shorten two pairs of jeans, two woven shirts, and two T-shirts for an upcoming trip. I'm not sure why I have avoided this (using the coverstitch) for so long.
I also have the Huskylock 936, but I think the conversion to coverstitch is probably a pain, so may just keep the dedicated coverstitch for that purpose.
Beverly, taking a break from the kilt, pleat # 18 is done, 9 to go....
Good luck Beverly, I just did this on Saturday night with my new HuskyLock (is it 1036?). It went fine but I had to read the directions very carefully because things had to be done in the right order and there were several parts to change. But I was thrilled with the result.
Thanks, Kirsten. Still haven't managed to start the alterations for DD, because I was expecting a couple of deliveries, and I cannot hear the doorbell from downstairs. So I unpicked the hems, and worked on the kilt some more. Finished pleat #22....
Turns out I needed the good luck on the delivery....poorly packaged electronics off eBay, too-small box dented, inadequate cushioning, DVD/VCR recorder fatally damaged. Aaaarrggghhh! Oh, how I hate "eating" shipping costs. Seller has not responded to my e-mail. Yet.
I have a Huskylock 936 also and switching it over is easy IMHO. Takes a little practice to get the hang of it (just like everything else I guess!) but I use this serger a lot and especially got it for the coverstitch function....and does a great job.
Once you use your coverstitch machine I'm sure you will ask yourself how you have lived without it.....I know I do everytime I use mine. While my overlocker (Compulock) converts to coverstitch I got sick of swapping and bought a dedicated CS machine. Don't regret that decision one bit!!
Have you looked at the industrial binders on eBay? If he has a set of four (as he does sometimes) they are a good price. I also bought elastic attachments (wide and narrow) and two hemming guides, so my CS gets lots of use now.
From all I read and hear elsewhere, a dedicated coverstitch machine is the way to go. You get better results more quickly than with the cover stitch on a serger, and, as you say, the covversion is a pain. I'm holding out for a coverstitch machine, but don't do enough work on knits to justify one yet.
I bought the dedicated coverstitch first, and had two other sergers, neither of which could be converted. But after I won the 936 I wondered if it was time to eBay the coverstitch. I like the idea of a dedicated coverstitch-only machine, but having to have 6-8 cones of thread per project is a little concerning. That's why I had thought I'd like the serger/coverstich combination: only one machine to thread, only 3-4 cones of each color thread needed.
Beverly with a conversion machine you really need to plan your sewing....ie, do 'all' coverstitch seam, then finish off with 'all' overlocked seams. Sometimes this can be a pita and quite frequently I would need to covert back to CS to do one little seam that I had missed. While the conversion is simply and only takes a few minutes it becomes tiresome when it's back and forth all the time. I tried it for a bit over a year so was well and truly ready for a CS by that time.
To overcome buying 6-8 (or sometimes up to 9) cones of thread I bought a heap of clear plastic bobbins on eBay and wind those for the CS if I don't have enough spools/cones in a matching colour. The other day I left the cones on the Compulock and then draped them across the corner desk to the CS, now that 'is' being lazy, isn't it? ;-)
I know what you mean about having 'all' thread colours matching and I fall into that category too....if it's worth doing, then it's worth doing well!! Would hate to think about low marks due to non-matching thread colours on assignments for dressmaking exams all those years ago.
Depending on the garment, sometimes I use rayon embroidery thread in the CS if I want to feature the seam finishes. Denim (for kids) looks great with red/green/yellow or pink/mauve/purple this is another way around heaps of cones in matching colours.
For the most part, my order would be "do all overlocked(serged) seams", then "do coverstitch hems". I haven't used my machine much as yet, but where exactly do you do "coverstitch seams"? Or are you talking about the decorative coverstitch over the top of serged seams, like on fleece shirts, etc.?
So far, I'm tending to think I'll keep both machines, I have become very proficient in threading the serger, so how difficult can the coverstitch be...??? ;-)
I prefer to make a Tshirt (for example) in the flat by doing all CS seams...shoulders/sleeves/neckband/bottom hem then finally doing the side and sleeve seams on the overlocker. This meant I didn't need to tie off any CS threads because they were now encased in the overlocked seams. Your order would work too.
I don't CS, as well as overlock seams, it's either one or the other.
Having both machines just makes everything so much quicker. Space for me is at a premium but NO more machines is my motto now. Having four set up at one time makes sewing life just great.
Bronwyn, do you happen to have a picture of one of your tshirts? I'm just starting to do tee's on my 936 and my first 'prototype' came out really well. I'm intrigued by your process which sounds very efficient but am having a hard time picturing it in my head.
Ok, I don't know why I was letting this machine intimidate me, it's easier to thread then either of my sergers! And the instruction included hemming "in-the-round", so I was able to shorten DD's RTW T-shirt just fine. And aside from her (and me), no one will ever know it's been altered. ;-)
Now I'm excited about doing some other alterations I've been putting off. I usually serge and then double needle top-stitch to get the coverstitch "look", but in my experience that never produces quite the same amount of stretch as a genuine coverstitch. So, I'm going to shorten a knit "night shirt" I bought to go with pajama bottoms. I would have made them from scratch, but I could not find the color/print I wanted to go with my travel robe.
That's what I've done for years; Beverly, but now maybe I will try the cover stitch on my serger, a PFAFF 4870. You and Kirsten have really inspired me. I've had it for 6 years, and used the serger some, but have never attempted the C S. Emily
Congratulations!!! Like you, I used to do the fake coverstitch thing too and while it looked OK, I do agree it didn't have the stretch feature.
This morning I've coverstitched narrow hems on serviettes/napkins and they've turned out really nice. I had planned to do a rolled hem but then changed the fabric to cotton drill, for a better colour match, and it didn't roll too well.
Beverly...does your machine have a hemming guide? I bought one for mine and it makes the job so much easier!! Just love my CoverPro!!!
A seller on eBay.com sells binders/hemmers/fellers and while these are for industrial machines they will fit other machines, such as the Janome CoverPro. NO affiliation, just found these when searching one day and bought a set of four binders.
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