You want to buy a coverlock machine but don't know which one is best for you? In this post, you'll learn everything about the most popular coverlock machines compared.
It really isn't that easy to find your way through the coverlock jungle. Questions like: "Is the coverlock machine suitable for beginners? Does it skip stitches? Is it a combination of overlock and coverlock? Which cover is recommended?" bothered me for a long time before I bought my coverlock.
In this post, I want to help you find the optimal coverlock and cover machine for you.
A nightmare for many cover users is skipped stitches - this is especially annoying when sewing a decorative or seam stitch. In some cases, you may have to rip out the entire seam and redo it. I will also address this in this post.
Let's go!
Coverlock and Cover Machines Compared & Tested
Bernina L220
Features: 1300 stitches/min, 4 stitch patterns, automatic threading for the lower looper, weight: 8.8 kg
Suitable for: Beginners, hobby sewers, professionals
Price: ++++
My verdict: The Bernina is a cover in the higher price segment. With 1300 stitches per minute, the Bernina sews really fast, it is well made, the manual is clearly described.
Merrylock Easy Cover 3040
Features: 650 stitches/min, threading aid, adjustable presser foot pressure, differential feed, 4 stitch types, weight: 7.9 kg
Suitable for: Beginners, hobby sewers
Price: +
My verdict: The Merrylock is a pure cover and is at the lower end of the price segment with approx. 330 euros - but it comes with many features. However, I have heard several times that it has a reputation for skipping stitches.
You can order the Merrylock Easy Cover 3040 here*.
Janome Cover Pro 2000 CPX
Features: 1000 stitches/min, TLC system for regulating the looper thread tension, thread cutter, external controls, differential, LED light, adjustable presser foot pressure, large clearance, 3 stitch types, 5-year manufacturer warranty
Suitable for: Beginners, hobby sewers
Price: ++
My verdict: The Janome Cover Pro 2000 is the 2nd generation cover machine from Janome. Many weaknesses of the predecessor machine were fixed during construction. The large clearance is striking, which actually reminds one of a free arm sewing machine and leaves a lot of room to work. It works very quietly, although skipped stitches are also reported. The 5-year manufacturer warranty and the many other features are quite okay for a cover in the price range of around 500 €.
You can order the Janome Cover Pro 2000 CPX here*.
Gritzner Cover Style 4850
Features: 1500 stitches/min, threading aid, 2-fold LED, differential, high presser foot lift for thick fabrics, 2-year warranty, 3 stitch types, adjustable presser foot pressure.
Suitable for: Beginners, hobby sewers
Price: ++
My verdict: With 1500 stitches per minute, the Gritzner sews even faster than the Bernina. However, skipped stitches are repeatedly reported. It is certainly a cover machine that you have to deal with and know well before perfect seams can be achieved. In terms of design, it strongly reminds one of the eighties, the workmanship is okay. At around 8 kilos, the Gritzner is average.
You can order the Gritzner CoverStyle 4850 here*.
Singer 14T970 C
Features: 1100 stitches/min, adjustable presser foot pressure, 4 stitch types, differential
Suitable for: Beginners, hobby sewers
Price: +
My verdict: The Singer moves with around 370 € in the lower price segment of the cover machines. It is noticeable that the presser foot sits very low, which means that thick or multi-layered materials can hardly be sewn with the machine. The stitch pattern is okay, although broken lower threads are repeatedly reported.
You can order the Singer Cover Machine here*.
Success C405
Features: 1300 stitches/min., thread cutter, large clearance, threading aid for the lower looper
Suitable for: -
Price: ++
My verdict: For around 500 €, I find the Success surprisingly poorly equipped. Visually, it strongly reminds one of Baby Lock.
Juki MO-735 (Overlock machine with cover function)
Suitable for: Beginners, hobby sewers, professionals
Price: ++++
My verdict: A high-quality combination machine that even professional sewers can easily handle. With 1500 stitches per minute, it is fast; however, this does not come at the expense of stitch quality: the stitch pattern is good, hardly any skipped stitches. At around 1200 €, it is certainly worth its money as a really well-made combination machine.
You can order the Juki MO-735 here*.
Brother Cover Stitch 2340 CV
Features: Threading aid for the lower looper, differential, 3 stitch types, adjustable presser foot pressure, manually adjustable thread tension, add-on band edge guide.
Suitable for: Beginners, professionals
Price: ++
My verdict: The 2340 CV is an average-equipped cover machine that, honestly, is also only average in its workmanship. And, as expected, it also only delivers average sewing results. The poorly working feed is noticeable, which requires constant corrections during sewing. The positive is the possibility to integrate a band edge guide. However, for around 630 €, one can expect a bit more, in my opinion (as a Brother fan!).
You can order the Brother Cover Stitch 2340 CV here*.
Brother Cover Stitch CV 3440
Features: 1000 stitches/min., LED light, large clearance, weight: 7.5 kg, manually adjustable thread tension, continuously adjustable presser foot pressure, external controls, automatic thread tension release, DVD with operating instructions
Suitable for: Beginners, hobby sewers
Price: +++
My verdict: For around 600 €, you get a quite nicely equipped coverlock here, which also delivers good sewing results. It is one of the few machines that release the presser foot pressure at the end of the seam - so the well-known phenomenon with cover machines that you first have to pull out and cut the threads to free the fabric is eliminated.
You can order the Brother Cover Stitch CV 3440 here*
Brother Cover Stitch 3550
Features: Differential feed, sews with up to 5 thread cones, adjustable presser foot pressure, automatic thread tension release, 7 stitch types, threading aid for the lower looper, large clearance, external controls, LED light, 3-year warranty
Suitable for: Beginners, hobby sewers, professionals
Price: +++
My verdict: The 3550 from Brother offers quite a bit more than the 3440 for around 80 € more (so around 680 € in total). It also automatically releases the thread tension at the end of the seam, so the fabric is easy to free. It is a very uncomplicated machine, which is also well suited for beginners who initially have a little fear of the technology.
You can order the Brother Cover Stitch 3550 here*.
Baby Lock Desire3 (Overlock machine with cover function)
Description: Combined overlock with cover function, extra strong looper with a swiveling auxiliary looper for fast threading, automatic thread guide, external controls, Jet-Air threading system, LED light, 4-year warranty
Suitable for: Beginners, hobby sewers, professionals
Price: +++++
My verdict: With around 1800 €, the combination machine is indeed no bargain. However, it really performs both functions brilliantly. Small disadvantage: You have to convert it each time. As the only machine I know, you have the option to use an overlock stitch and lay a safety seam right next to it. It has the typical Baby Lock Jet-Air system for threading, which really works great.
The Desire3 is an excellently made device that even sewing beginners can approach without any fear - and professionals will surely have their bright joy.
You can order the Baby Lock Desire here*
Baby Lock CoverStitch
The four threads recessed into the sewing table serve as a mounting for the extensive accessories available in the trade for the CoverStitch.
Clearly visible in the picture: The Jet-Air threading.
At the bottom of the picture: The reservoir, in which the looper thread is located by air stream after threading. You don't have to do anything else with it - the machine "fetches" the thread itself.
Features: 1500 stitches/min., manual thread tension, Jet-Air threading system, sews with 4 cones, rather small working area, LED light, manual threading aid, automatic thread tension release at the end of the seam, lots of accessories available, feed with 3 dogs, 4-year warranty
Suitable for: Beginners, hobby sewers, professionals
Price: ++++
My verdict: For around 1100 € certainly no bargain, but in my experience an extremely good simple cover. It is designed uncomplicatedly - after threading you can start sewing very quickly without reading the (concisely and briefly kept) manual. It is solidly built and can be supplemented with lots of accessories, e.g. with a belt loop folder, a piping foot or a double fold binder, which is screwed onto the threads in the sewing table. The machine reliably transports the sewing material with 3 dogs and sews practically without skipped stitches over thick and thin.
You can order the Baby Lock CoverStitch here*.
Baby Lock Ovation (combined overlock and coverlock machine)
Features: 1500 stitches/min., large clearance, sews with up to 6 thread cones, sensors for stitch width, stitch length, fabric thickness, 6-fold LED light, Wave stitch (wave stitch), manual thread tension, presser foot pressure setting with display, novel eyelet thread guide, Jet-Air threading system, automatic thread feed, front-mounted presser foot lifter, 4-year warranty
Suitable for: Beginners, hobby sewers, professionals
Price: +++++
My verdict: The machine has everything - more than I actually need for hobby sewing. In my opinion, it is something for absolute perfectionists - and professional sewers, where every seam must be fast, uncomplicated and reliable. It offers extensive add-on accessories and has a really large working area compared to the CoverStitch, which I personally really like.
The Ovation sews with up to 6 cones and is illuminated with 6 LED lights like a football stadium. And: It has its price. At around 2850€ it is the most expensive - but also the most mature - of the machines presented here and certainly more than just "nice to have".
A machine for people who mean business with their sewing addiction. :)
You can order the Baby Lock Ovation here*.
New in the Baby Lock family is now the Baby Lock Gloria, a very special combination machine. Here goes to the Baby Lock Gloria Coverlock Test Report
Did this post help you?
Then leave me a comment.
Happy simple coverlocking
Yours, Sabine
P.S.: Are you really excited to get started with the overlocker now?
Find your new sewing pattern now in my pattern shop!
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