Machine guide
Best coverstitch machines for knit hems that stretch
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Top picks at a glance
Compare all picks
Closest match for the job
Janome CoverPro 2000CPX, 3 needles and free arm
Differential feed from 0.5 to 2.25 helps keep knit hems flat, per the listing.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Most for the money on paper
Brother 2340CV with metal frame, 3 to 6mm cover
Metal frame and internal parts, per the listing.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Most complete listing
Elna eXtend Covermax, 7 programs and needle threader
Built-in spreader handles the top cover stitch function, per the listing.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
The hem on a store-bought T-shirt is a cover stitch: two or three parallel needle lines on top and a looper thread underneath that lets the seam stretch. A regular sewing machine twin needle can imitate it, but the stitches often pop or tunnel on knits. A coverstitch machine does it properly. The choice is between a dedicated coverstitch machine, which does cover and chain stitch only, and a machine sold as a coverstitch serger, which adds more thread programs in one body. What separates a good pick is the number of needles (three gives you triple cover), the stitch width, differential feed to stop knits from waving, and a free arm for sleeves and leggings. This guide compares each model by those facts as its listing states them, and flags what the listing leaves out.
Compare the picks
- Janome CoverPro 2000CPX, 3 needles and free arm
- Machine type
- Dedicated coverstitch
- Needles
- 1, 2 or 3
- Cover stitch width
- 3mm or 6mm (two needle), 6mm (three)
- Max speed
- 1,000 spm
- Brother 2340CV with metal frame, 3 to 6mm cover
- Machine type
- Dedicated coverstitch
- Needles
- Not stated (tri-cover listed)
- Cover stitch width
- 3mm to 6mm
- Max speed
- 1,100 spm
Juki MCS-1500 cover and chain stitch at 1,350 spm- Machine type
- Dedicated cover and chain stitch
- Needles
- 3
- Cover stitch width
- Not stated
- Max speed
- 1,350 spm
- Elna eXtend Covermax, 7 programs and needle threader
- Machine type
- Coverstitch serger, 2/3/4/5 thread
- Needles
- 1, 2 or 3
- Cover stitch width
- Not stated
- Max speed
- Not stated
Elna eXtend Easy Cover V2 with free arm and TLC- Machine type
- Coverstitch serger, 2/3/4 thread
- Needles
- 1, 2 or 3
- Cover stitch width
- Not stated
- Max speed
- Not stated
Janome CoverPro 1000CPX long arm with free sleeve- Machine type
- Dedicated coverstitch
- Needles
- Not stated
- Cover stitch width
- Wide (not specified)
- Max speed
- Not stated
| Pick | Machine type | Needles | Cover stitch width | Max speed | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janome CoverPro 2000CPX, 3 needles and free arm | Dedicated coverstitch | 1, 2 or 3 | 3mm or 6mm (two needle), 6mm (three) | 1,000 spm | - | Amazon |
| Brother 2340CV with metal frame, 3 to 6mm cover | Dedicated coverstitch | Not stated (tri-cover listed) | 3mm to 6mm | 1,100 spm | - | Amazon |
| Juki MCS-1500 cover and chain stitch at 1,350 spm | Dedicated cover and chain stitch | 3 | Not stated | 1,350 spm | - | Amazon |
| Elna eXtend Covermax, 7 programs and needle threader | Coverstitch serger, 2/3/4/5 thread | 1, 2 or 3 | Not stated | Not stated | - | Amazon |
| Elna eXtend Easy Cover V2 with free arm and TLC | Coverstitch serger, 2/3/4 thread | 1, 2 or 3 | Not stated | Not stated | - | Amazon |
| Janome CoverPro 1000CPX long arm with free sleeve | Dedicated coverstitch | Not stated | Wide (not specified) | Not stated | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · Janome
Janome CoverPro 2000CPX, 3 needles and free arm
See price on AmazonA dedicated Janome coverstitch with chain, two-needle and triple cover stitch, a free arm, Tension Level Control and an extra large 4 x 5.5 inch bed. The most fully specified listing here.
What the listing offers
- Differential feed from 0.5 to 2.25 helps keep knit hems flat, per the listing.
- Free arm plus an extra large 4 x 5.5 inch bed for sleeves and wider pieces.
- Tension release device and foot pressure adjustment with guide lines.
Limits to know
- Cover and chain stitch only, so you still need a serger for overlocked seams.
- 1,000 spm is slower than the Juki MCS-1500's stated 1,350 spm.
Pick 2 · Brother
Brother 2340CV with metal frame, 3 to 6mm cover
See price on AmazonThe lowest-priced coverstitch here, with a metal frame, tri-cover plus wide and narrow cover stitches, lay-in threading and differential feed. A solid first coverstitch for knit hems.
What the listing offers
- Metal frame and internal parts, per the listing.
- Tri-cover, wide and narrow cover stitches from 3mm to 6mm.
- Includes a standard foot plus a hem sewing presser foot.
Limits to know
- Free arm is not mentioned in the listing, which matters for sleeves and leggings.
- Differential feed range of 0.7 to 2.0 is narrower than the Janome 2000CPX.
Pick 3 · JUKI
Juki MCS-1500 cover and chain stitch at 1,350 spm
See price on AmazonA 3-needle Juki that does 3-thread cover stitch and 4-thread chain stitch at up to 1,350 spm, with color-coded threading guides and a long stated US warranty.
What the listing offers
- Fastest stated speed in this guide at 1,350 stitches per minute.
- Listing states a US warranty of 5 years mechanical and 2 years electrical, with exclusions for consumables.
- Color-coded guides make threading the machine and loopers easier.
Limits to know
- The listing does not state differential feed, stitch widths or free arm.
- Costs more than the Brother 2340CV and Janome 1000CPX.
Pick 4 · Elna
Elna eXtend Covermax, 7 programs and needle threader
See price on AmazonElna's top coverstitch with 7 stitch programs, 2 to 5 thread sewing, a built-in needle threader for all three needles, a thread cutter and a built-in spreader for top cover stitch.
What the listing offers
- Built-in spreader handles the top cover stitch function, per the listing.
- Built-in needle threader for all three needles plus a built-in thread cutter.
- Seven stitch programs, the most in this guide.
Limits to know
- The most expensive coverstitch machine in this guide.
- Differential feed, speed and stitch width are not stated in the listing.
Pick 5 · Elna
Elna eXtend Easy Cover V2 with free arm and TLC
See price on AmazonAn Elna coverstitch with 4 stitch programs using up to 3 needles, Tension Level Control for automatic tension, an extra-wide sewing area and an accessible free arm for sleeves and leggings.
What the listing offers
- Tension Level Control adjusts thread tension automatically for fine and standard fabrics.
- Free arm is described as accessible, for tubular items like sleeves and leggings.
- Color-coded threading guide and looper release system.
Limits to know
- Speed and stitch width are not stated in the listing.
- Priced about the same as the Juki MCS-1500 while listing fewer hard specs.
Pick 6 · Janome
Janome CoverPro 1000CPX long arm with free sleeve
See price on AmazonThe entry CoverPro, described as an industrial-style cover machine built like a home sewing machine with a long arm and free sleeve. The bonus pack adds an elastic gather foot and seam guide.
What the listing offers
- Listing describes a high-speed, long arm, heavy duty design.
- Does not cut the fabric, so it hems without trimming, per the listing.
- Bonus elastic gather foot, large gather attachment and adjustable sewing guide.
Limits to know
- The listing gives no needle count, speed, stitch width or differential feed numbers.
- Listing wording is unclear in places, so confirm specs on the product page.
Read before you buy
- What is a serger and what can it doA serger trims, stitches and overcasts a seam edge in one pass. See what a serger can do, how it differs from a sewing machine, and whether you should buy one.
- Serger vs coverstitch machineSerger vs coverstitch machine: a serger trims and finishes seams, a coverstitch hems knits. Learn the difference, combo machines and which to buy first.
- Serger problems: thread breaking and skipped stitchesWhy serger thread keeps breaking and stitches skip: threading order, thread path, needle type, tension and lower looper problems, with fixes in order.
- Serger needles vs regular sewing machine needlesSerger needles vs regular needles: many home sergers take standard 130/705H needles, some specify ELx705. Plus serger thread vs sewing thread.
- How to use a serger for beginnersA beginner's guide to using a serger: threading order, tension dials, differential feed, stitch length and the first seams and hems to practice.
More guides: Sergers and coverstitch
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