A cover stitch or a cover hem is broadly seen on most of the ready-made garments and the RTW items as well. These stitches are mostly done by professionals to have a great look with the cover stitch machine. But for home décor or your crafting projects, a serger can also be used to perform this stitch.
How Do You Cover Stitch on a Serger
This specific type of stitch has got two or three parallel lines stitching on the upper side and on the backside the raw edge of the fabric is covered by a looper stitch. Undoubtedly, this stitch is fast and neat.
Even so, buying a cover stitch machine can not be an ideal option for you, if you are a crafting enthusiast. Because this costly machine can perform only this cover-stitching operation.
But what if you can perform this nice-looking stitch without any dedicated instrument and by only using a serger? There is no reason at all not to use this stitch for your home projects then. Especially for home décors like table cloth or curtains, this stitch with a serger is going to be a marvelous option.
There are two common types of serger available on the market. One of them offers the cover stitch feature with it and the others don’t. If your serger has this feature, the stitching operation would be easy and quick.
But if it does not, the process might get a little complex and you might have to put on some extra effort into it. Once you have mastered the skill, the process will be much easier and quicker. Here are the procedure mentioned down below:
Step 1: Setting Up
First of all, you have to set the serger up and thread the needles. Now rotate your hand to heal a complete turn towards you.
Step 2: Dragging the Needle Threads
Now to drag the needle threads under your foot, you have to slide your tweezer’s tip under your presser foot.
Step 3: Placing the Cloth
Now that you are all set, you have to set the cloth piece under the foot with the right side up. Then you can begin the sewing process.
Step 4: Precaution
If you do not stop sewing at the end of the cloth and keep continuing, it will break the thread and you have to change the thread for the next operation. And that can be pretty annoying for you.
Step 5: Releasing the Thread
Now you have to spin the thread once again at the end of the thread until the needle reaches the top. Then you have to release the thread.
Step 6: Pulling the Needles
Next, you have to raise the pressure foot and then pull the needles towards you by using the tweezers.
Step 7: Cutting the Threads
Afterward, you have to get a 4-inch tail on both needles. For that, you have to cut the threads.
Step 8: Pulling the Fabric Out From the Machine
Finally, pull the fabric out from the pressure foot and cut the thread off directly.
How to Lock the Cover Stitch
Sewing is exciting and fun. But it takes a lot of hard work. If you are not an expert, you might fail to do the cover stitch the first couple of times. One of the reasons for this is if you do not know how to lock the cover stitch.
As a result, knowing how to lock the cover stitch is an essential skill to have, if you are planning to perform this stitch a lot. Now, locking the cover stitch makes the beginning of the next stitch easier as well as the transition process.
There are tons of advantages of this locking of the cover stitch. First of all, you are going to have the exact number of threads at the beginning of your next stitch. Secondly, you will hardly face any kind of breaking or tangling of the threads.
If you make this one of your habits during performing a cover stitch, you will have a neat and fast sewing experience. The locking process is mentioned step by step down below:
Step 1: Raising the Pressure Foot
One thing that you need to remember forever is starting and finishing sewing the fabric below the needles. After completing sewing you have to rotate the handwheel. So that the needles remain at the top position. After that, you can raise the pressure foot.
Step 2: Dragging the Threads Out
Now use the tweezers to grab the needle threads. Afterward, you have to drag the threads out from the foot.
Step 3: Cutting the Threads
Later on, drag the threads out from the back to the front of your machine. Now cut the end of the threads in a way that you have got a tail of at least 4 inches.
Step 4: Finishing
Now move your fabric to the backside of the machine. This process will make the looper head lose. Then drag the tails below the material. Now if you have followed the process correctly, the cove stitch is locked already. Now trim the thread leaving at least 4 inches for the tail.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
1. What kind of stitches can be done with a serger?
Almost all kinds of stitches can be done with the help of a serger. Whether you need a chain stitch, two-thread, or three-thread stitch, if you have a serger with the cover stitch feature, you can perform them all.
The type of stitch you are going to get largely depends on the number of needles and the finishing you need. With the three needles, you are going to have a three-threaded stitch which is good for high-quality detailing.
On the other hand, a two-thread stitch is a fast and durable process. And for temporary purposes or decoration, you can use the chain stitch, as it can be removed quickly.
2. Do you still need a cover stitch machine even if you have a serger?
Performing a cover stitch with a cover stitch machine is much easier and quicker. If budget is not an issue and you need professional stitches more often, the cover stitch machine is a good option.
But if you are a crafting enthusiast and you have a serger, then buying a cover stitch machine might not be so economical.
3. How to prevent tunneling?
Having a lower tension can help prevent tunneling. If you want to stitch along the bottom, line your fabric up to the serger edge, and don’t cut the fabric. Serger stitches will give your fabric bulk, allowing it to flow more easily through the sewing machine. Additionally, it will serve as a guide for placing the sewing machine needle where you should make your double rows later.
4. When to use a twin needle?
Your sewing machine can also do a cover stitch, did you know? Twin needles are the way to go! Essentially, it consists of two needles. Just like any other needle, you can attach it to a zigzag machine.
After ensuring that everything is properly positioned, your twin needle is ready for cover stitches. Please read your manual so you understand how your twin needle can produce different types of stitches. Notably, the standard straight stitch is the perfect stitch for making cover stitches.
Conclusion
Coverstitch is always a good option when you want a detailed finish. But without a cover stitch machine, the process needs a lot of effort. But once you have mastered the skill set, you are going to love the final product.
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