What is a coverlock machine?

A coverlock machine is a sewing machine that combines the functions of both an overlocker and a coverstitch machine. This hybrid coverlock model allows you to perform a wide range of tasks in garment construction and finishing. 

A coverlock machine is often called a combo or combination machine and as we have already said, it is both an overlocker and coverstitch machine in one unit.

Coverlock Machine

Key Functions:

• Overlocking: Like a traditional overlocker, a coverlock machine can finish seams, trim excess fabric and prevent fraying by creating overlock stitches. Like overlockers, coverlock machines can handle knit and stretchy fabrics well, making them ideal for sewing garments such as leggings and swimwear.
• Coverstitching: It can also perform coverstitch functions which are used for hemming, topstitching and decorative stitching, creating professional hems and edges that can stretch.

Stitches:

• Overlock Stitches: These include 3-thread and 4-thread overlock stitches, rolled hems and flatlock stitches.
• Cover stitch: This stitch type is sometimes called a 'cover hem stitch'. These include narrow or wide cover stitch and some can sew triple cover stitch, but a double cover stitch is most common.

Coverlock machines typically use multiple threads and needles, depending on the specific stitch being created. They have the ability to switch between overlock and coverstitch modes, which makes them highly versatile, allowing for a wide range of sewing tasks, without needing multiple machines. It is perfect for seam finishing, hemming, decorative stitching, attaching elastic and creating professional-quality edges, on both woven and knit fabrics. The hidden advantage is they are superb when it comes to stitching stretch materials. The image shows some of the most popular stitches a coverlock machine can sew. Of particular interest is the 4-thread, 2-needle overlock, rolled heming and cover stitch examples.

Coverlock Advantages:

• Combining two machines in one saves space in your sewing room
• It can be more economical than purchasing a separate overlocker and coverstitch machine.
• Seamlessly switching between overlock and coverstitch functions simplifies the sewing process and increases efficiency in more compact space. 

Disadvantages:

• You can not sew coverstitch and overlock at the same time. (Unless you opt for an 8 thread Baby lock model).
• Changing from one stitch function to the other will require a number of processes to be followed to enable the machine to sew its other function. e.g. changing from overlock mode to coverstitch mode. 
• When in overlock mode, the machine can cut or trim fabric edges but in coverstitch mode, it does not cut the fabric

A solo overlocker sewing machine is still available and a very popular choice, which gives an alternative option for users, who feel they will never need to use a coverstitch. From a personal point of view, we often find customers who have purchased an overlocker in the past have come back to us at some stage in the future to also purchase a separate cover stitch machine. This gives them the advantage of having each one, threaded and setup on the table and ready to use at any time in their sewing room.

These days, with many modern stretch materials being available, some of which being of very dubious qualitity! Using the coverlock, gives the convenience and ability to cope with most fabric types, particularly when working with a diverse number of fabrics and requiring multiple types of stitching in garment construction and edge finishing.