The best cover stitching machines in 2022

For those who are fond of sewing, to expand the possibilities for making clothes from different materials, they need overlock and sewing machine. They have important additional functions that an ordinary sewing machine is not equipped with.

What it is

A cover stitch (cover stitch) machine is needed to make a special flat seam, which processes the edges of knitted and knitted products, clothes from flowing fabrics.With its help, details are connected, braid, elastic, trimming of the sleeves and the bottom of the thing are sewn on. The design of the technique, which involves the work of 2 to 4 needles and loopers, allows you to get flat stitches. A chain stitch is formed, which can stretch in length when the fabric itself is stretched. On the front side of the product, it looks like two parallel lines, on the wrong side it resembles an overlock seam. The sewing machine is not designed to sew such elastic stitches.

The correct selection of threads is an important point that ensures a quality seam. Wrong type of needle or poor quality thread, excessive tension or looseness - all this affects the result, leading to skipped thread in the stitch.

Due to the peculiarities of the fabric and processing technology, knitted items are comfortable and practical to wear: they stretch well without damaging the seams, do not wrinkle much, and easily endure repeated washing.

This sewing technique is professional (industrial) and household. The first type with 2-8 needles is used in factories and productions for mass tailoring, the second, with 1-3 needles, in small ateliers, at home.

How to choose a sewing machine

The main selection criteria are functionality and technical characteristics.

• Distance between extreme needles. The width of the line depends on this indicator. The machine can have 1 needle (for a simple connection of parts), 2 needles (with a seam width of 5.5 cm) and 3 needles (the seam width in this case will be 6.5 mm). The more needles the device has, the greater the choice of types of seams. If you need narrow stitches, choose a technique with two needles, if wider, then with three.
• The type of platform that equipment is equipped with for the convenience of working on it when processing individual, including complex, items of clothing.

1. Removable flat. Suitable for attaching bias tape, processing the bottom of products.
2. With a recess for a binder. With its help, you can qualitatively edging clothes made of soft fabrics with an oblique trim.
3. In the form of a cylinder. It is used when sewing children's underwear, for processing long narrow parts.

• It is important that the machine has a separate conveyor for feeding fabrics, which allows you to both collect and stretch the material.
• Type of seams.

1. Triple, wide - width 6.5 mm;
2. Narrow (left and right) - width 2.8 mm.

• Type of fabric feed. Some models have a function of differentiated feeding of the material: by changing the speed of the machine's conveyor, you can stretch the fabric or gather it into folds.
• Automatic filling of a needle. More expensive equipment is equipped with this function.
• Thread tension method. There are manual and automatic. In the first case, the tension force of each of the threads will be different, so a certain skill and sewing skills will be required. In the second case, the possibility of errors in the sewing process is significantly reduced.
• Presser foot pressure adjustment option. For light flowing fabrics, the maximum pressure is provided, for dense ones, on the contrary, the minimum. The function can be carried out both manually and automatically.
• Foot height - the distance between it and the working surface of the machine. It can vary from 3 to 15 mm, changing with the help of a smooth or stepped movement.
• sewing speed. The parameter shows how many stitches the machine can sew in one minute.On average, this number is from 1000 to 1500 stitches.
• Stitch sizes. Its length can vary from 1 to 6.5 mm, width - from 1 to 15 mm. The value of the indicators is related to the purpose of the work: for example, wide stitches are used to make decorative seams.
• The total number of transactions. For modern models, it can range from 2 to 50. Accordingly, the more functional the machine, the higher its cost.
• Device power. Directly affects the degree of energy consumption. In modern models, a powerful mechanism and electronic control are installed, which ensure reliable and proper operation of the machine. The power value is 70-250 watts.
• Thread cutting. It can be carried out manually using a blade or automatically, due to a special button.
• Color marking of the thread guide is done on the body of the machine for ease of use.

The package of sewing equipment may also include a special container for trimming threads and pieces of fabric, as well as a protective storage case - soft or hard. A number of tools are intended for servicing the machine: screwdrivers, tweezers, brushes for cleaning.

When choosing a model, you need to focus on the size of the stitch being performed, the ergonomics of the device and the noiselessness of its operation.

In comparison with sewing machines, the choice of “sewing machines” is more limited: these are highly specialized devices, and not every manufacturer is profitable to produce them. Preference should be given to popular models of well-known brands, characterized by high quality and functionality.

You can profitably buy a flat-seam machine in an online store, however, in this case there is always a risk of getting a model of not the best quality.The advantages of an offline store specializing in the sale of sewing equipment are that it is possible to see the sample you like “live”, get advice from the seller and a warranty card.

The best manufacturers: which company's equipment is better to buy

• Brother (Japan);
• Janome (Japan);
• Baby Lock (Japan);
• Juki (Japan);
• Merrylock (Taiwan);
• Minerva (Austria);
• Bernina (Switzerland);
• Elna (Switzerland).

Rating of quality stitching machines

household models

Merrylock Cover Stitch Auto

A relatively inexpensive model is distinguished by convenience, practicality, and work efficiency. The machine is capable of sewing 1300 stitches in one minute. With its help, you can make stitches of different sizes: from 1 to 4 mm long, from 1 to 5 mm wide.

• 5 sewing operations;
• The number of threads is from 2 to 4;
• Automatic looper threading;
• Adjustment of a clip of fabric;
• Color marking of threads;
• Thread tension is controlled automatically;
• Light weight.

• There is no electronic control with the output of operations on the display;
• Skip stitches are possible.

Average price: 17,700 rubles.

Brother 2340CV

The technical characteristics of this model from a well-known manufacturer are 90 W power, 1000 stitches per minute, a seam of 2, 3 or 4 threads.

• Color marking;
• Removable platform;
• Separate fabric feed.

• No needle refill.

Average price: 19,000 rubles.

Minerva M2000C

The model from the Austrian manufacturer performs 4 sewing operations, making a seam of 2-3 or 4 threads. Due to the power of 120 W, its working capacity is 1100 stitches per minute.

• High performance.

• No auto-loading of needles and looper.

Average price: 21,000 rubles.

Janome Cover Pro 1000CP

The machine is suitable for those who are just starting to learn sewing skills and do not want to invest in expensive equipment. The lack of electronic control, combined with the minimum set of necessary options, allows it to be an affordable device. The model combines functionality and budget cost. It performs 4 sewing operations, allowing you to sew with 3 or 4 threads. By installing additional paws, the list of operations can be increased.

• Works with all types of materials;
• Automatic filling of a needle and a looper;
• Maximum speed - 1000 stitches per minute;
• Quality flat seams;
• Removable sleeve;
• Puncture force stabilizer;
• Light weight.

• Sometimes there may be skipped stitches;
• Doesn't work well with delicate fabrics;
• Not all types of thread will fit;
• The box for accessories is not very convenient.

Average price: 18,300 rubles.

Janome Cover Pro 7

This technique has earned positive reviews from home craftswomen and professional dressmakers. The machine is distinguished by good quality of work, ease of settings, convenient adjustment of the thread tension. Performs both universal and creative tasks.

• 10 operations;
• Removable sleeve;
• Hinged looper cover;
• Working surface of a large area;
• Stylish body design.

• Inexpensive model.

Average price: 28,000 rubles.

Family Master Lock 8000

The power of 90 W allows the model to work effectively with 3-4 threads. The machine sews 1000 stitches per minute, the size of which is 4 mm long and 6 mm wide. Removable sleeve makes it possible to handle cuffs and collars of products with convenience. Suitable for working with fabrics of any density.

• Good build quality;
• Puncture force stabilizer;
• Color marking of threads.

• High price;
• No automatic threading of needles and looper;
• No display.

Average price: 30,000 rubles.

Fujima 14 U557

Compact equipment works effectively in 20 modes declared by the manufacturer. Seams are obtained by interweaving 2-5 threads. Its technical parameters are the productivity of 1300 stitches per minute, the stitch size is 4/8 mm (length/width).

• Quiet at work;
• Waste bin included;
• Designed for material of any thickness.

• Inexpensive model.

Average price: 24,000 rubles.

Elna Easy cover

The easy-to-use and reliable model was released in 2018 and has gained popularity among sewing enthusiasts. Its advantages are a large working space, a removable sleeve, allowing you to work with products of any size and any complexity of processing.

• 3 needles in work;
• Noiselessness;
• Automatic thread tension.

• High price.

Average price: 30,900 rubles.

Janome Cover Pro 7000 CPS

The main advantage of this model is the presence of a seam reinforcement system. This is important in the production and finishing of sportswear. Its main parameters are: working power 90 W, productivity - 1000 stitches per minute, stitch dimensions - 4/6 mm in length and width, respectively.

• 7 working operations;
• From 2 to 4 threads in work;
• Self threading;
• Processing of different materials;
• LED lights;
• Large space for work;
• Structural stability.

• Large weight (9.5 kg);
• High price.

Average price: 33,000 rubles.

Professional Models

Elna 444

A high-quality and reliable model that works with a variety of materials: silk and knitwear, denim and artificial leather. Performs 14 operations, the seams are neat. Suitable for both beginner dressmakers and for work in the atelier.

• Threads refuel easily;
• Low noise level during operation;
• Loose sleeve;
• All adjustments are outside;
• 7 types of lines;
• Productivity - 1000 stitches per minute;
• Autoloading looper.

• Need branded threads;
• There is no auto-loading of the needle.

Average price: 29,000 rubles.

Juki MF-7723-V10-B48

A device with high performance (power 400 W, 6500 stitches per minute) can process knitted fabrics of any texture and thickness.

• 5 threads in work;
• Automatic lubrication of parts.

• High price.

Average price: 50,000 rubles.

The purchase of a sewing machine allows you to significantly expand the range of things that you can sew. For domestic use, a technique with three needles is suitable for obtaining different seams. Equally important are such parameters as stitch sizes, the option of differentiated material feed, and the pressure regulator on the foot. For sewing clothes in production, such model indicators as power, productivity, number of operations, as well as the degree of noise produced during operation are important.