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Comparison

Serger vs coverstitch machine

Published

5/8 in seam allowance

Short answer

A serger (overlocker) trims the fabric edge, sews the seam and wraps thread around the raw edge in one pass. A coverstitch machine does not cut; it sews two or three parallel rows of straight stitches on top with a looper thread underneath, which makes the stretchy hems you see on T-shirts and leggings. Most sewists buy a serger first for seams, then add a coverstitch if they sew a lot of knits.

Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.

5/8 in seam allowance

Verdict

Buy a serger such as the Brother 1034D first if you want stronger, cleaner seams on any fabric. Add a coverstitch machine such as the Janome CoverPro 2000CPX or Brother 2340CV when knit hems are a regular part of your sewing.

Sergers and coverstitch machines look alike, use cones of thread and loopers, and both show up in knitwear. But they do different jobs. This page is for home sewists deciding which to buy, or whether a combination machine makes sense. We cover what each machine does, how the stitches differ, a side-by-side comparison of three representative machines from their listings, the trade-offs of combo machines, and what a regular sewing machine can do in place of either.

What a serger does

A serger uses one or two needles and two loopers to form an overlock stitch. A knife trims the seam allowance just ahead of the needles, so you get a sewn seam with a neatly wrapped raw edge in one pass. A 4 thread overlock is the standard seam for knits because it stretches with the fabric. A 3 thread overlock is lighter and good for finishing edges on wovens. Many sergers also do a rolled hem for napkins, scarves and ruffles.

Overlock is also called serging, and in the UK the machine is called an overlocker. Our what is a serger page explains the machine in more detail.

Four-thread overlock seam with left and right needle lines, upper and lower looper threads and the knife cut edgefabric feeds this wayLeft needleRight needleUpper looperLower looperKnife cut edgewidest seamnarrow seamon top, wraps the edgeunderneath (dashed)trims just ahead of needlesDifferential feed sets the front feed dogs faster or slower than the rear ones as the fabric moves through.
Leave out one needle for a 3-thread overlock: the left needle gives a wider seam, the right needle a narrower one.

What a coverstitch machine does

A coverstitch machine has no knife. Two or three needles sew parallel straight rows on the top of the fabric, while a single looper underneath crosses between them. The top looks like a twin-needle hem and the underside shows a flat, stretchy mesh of looper thread. That stitch is used for hems on T-shirts, leggings and swimwear, for attaching neckbands and for decorative topstitching on knits.

Most coverstitch machines also sew a single-needle chain stitch, which is useful for basting and decorative work. Because nothing is trimmed, you can sew a coverstitch in the middle of a garment, not just at an edge.

Three representative machines compared

The table shows one serger, one dedicated coverstitch machine and one more coverstitch option, using only listing facts. It shows how the two machine types differ in practice.

  • Machine type

    Brother 1034D (serger)
    3 or 4 thread serger
    Janome CoverPro 2000CPX
    Coverstitch machine
    Brother 2340CV
    Coverstitch-dedicated

  • Main stitches

    Brother 1034D (serger)
    3 and 4 thread overlock
    Janome CoverPro 2000CPX
    2 thread chain, 2 needle cover, 3 needle triple cover
    Brother 2340CV
    Tri-cover, wide and narrow cover stitch

  • Cover width

    Brother 1034D (serger)
    Not applicable
    Janome CoverPro 2000CPX
    6 mm or 3 mm with two needles, 6 mm with three
    Brother 2340CV
    3 mm to 6 mm

  • Top speed

    Brother 1034D (serger)
    1,300 stitches per minute
    Janome CoverPro 2000CPX
    Up to 1,000 stitches per minute
    Brother 2340CV
    1,100 stitches per minute

  • Differential feed

    Brother 1034D (serger)
    Not stated in listing
    Janome CoverPro 2000CPX
    0.5 to 2.25
    Brother 2340CV
    0.7 to 2.0

  • Other listed features

    Brother 1034D (serger)
    Metal frame, 3 snap-on feet
    Janome CoverPro 2000CPX
    Free arm, LED light, 4 x 5.5 in bed space
    Brother 2340CV
    Metal frame, lay-in threading, hem foot
Listing facts, serger and coverstitch machines

Serger vs coverstitch: key differences

If you sew woven garments, quilts or home decor, a serger alone covers your edge finishing. If you sew mostly knits and are unhappy with twin-needle hems on your sewing machine, a coverstitch is the upgrade that makes the biggest visible difference.

  • Cutting: a serger trims the edge with a knife; a coverstitch never cuts.
  • Where it sews: a serger works at the edge; a coverstitch can sew anywhere on the fabric.
  • Main job: a serger builds and finishes seams; a coverstitch hems and topstitches knits.
  • Look: serger stitches wrap the edge; coverstitch shows straight rows on top and a looper mesh underneath.
  • Threads: home sergers commonly use 2 to 4 threads; a coverstitch uses 2 to 4 threads depending on the stitch.

Combination machines and conversion time

Combination machines do both overlock and coverstitch in one body. Elna's eXtend Easy Cover and Covermax models are examples in our coverstitch machine guide. They save money and table space compared with buying two machines.

The trade is conversion. Switching from serging to coverstitch on a combo usually means disengaging or covering the knife, changing the needle setup and often the foot or plate, and rethreading the looper path. The steps vary by model, so read the manual before you buy. If you switch back and forth within one garment, that conversion adds up. Many sewists who hem knits every week prefer two separate machines so each stays threaded.

Note.Turn the machine off before changing needles, moving the knife or converting between modes. Serger knives are sharp.

Which to buy first

For serger picks see the best serger and best serger for beginners guides. For hems, our best coverstitch machine guide compares dedicated and combo models. A regular sewing machine can still sew knits with a stretch stitch and a twin needle; see how to serge without a serger and serger vs sewing machine.

  1. 1

    List your projects for the next year. Count how many are knits that need hems.

  2. 2

    If most are wovens, or a mix, buy a serger first.

  3. 3

    If most are knit tops, leggings or activewear and your seams are already fine on a sewing machine, consider a coverstitch first.

  4. 4

    If space or budget allows only one machine and you need both stitches, look at a combo and accept the conversion time.

Compare coverstitch machines →

Frequently asked questions

Can a serger do a coverstitch? A standard serger cannot. You need a dedicated coverstitch machine or a combination serger that converts to coverstitch.

Can a coverstitch machine finish seams? It can topstitch over a seam allowance but it does not trim or wrap the raw edge like a serger. Knit edges do not fray, which is why a coverstitch hem on knits works without serging first, though many sewists serge first for a cleaner look.

What is the difference between serger, overlock and coverstitch? Serger and overlocker are names for the same machine that sews an overlock stitch. A coverstitch is a separate stitch type made by a different machine.

Is a twin needle on a sewing machine the same as a coverstitch? It looks similar from the top, but the underside is a zigzag of bobbin thread rather than a looper mesh, and it usually stretches less.

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