Yay, lucky me, it’s a Janome Coverpro 1000CPX! I’ve been getting into sewing knits recently and, although using my sewing machine and serger produces pretty good results I was, wistfully, telling my husband that to get really professional looking hems I need a coverstitch machine. Clearly not wanting to get into the whys and wherefores and technical details of exactly what a coverstitch machine is, let alone the comparative benefits of various models, he generously told me that if I could locate what I wanted, then it would be mine! (I think that my DKNY double knit dress, from my last post, that he likes so much helped my case here).
I found my machine at an excellent UK store called Sewing Machines Direct, it cost £369 plus they threw in a large kit of threads and several pairs of scissors and they do next day delivery (and tell you the hour it’s going to arrive!). So, I’m just getting the hang of using it (it’s actually pretty straightforward) - here are my attempts at a triple coverstitch and a wide double coverstitch
A bit wobbly but not bad for a first attempt - I love that you can stretch the fabric as far it will possibly go and none of the stitches pop! I am very happy with this machine, although I do realise that I’m going to have to make an awful lot of t-shirts to offset such extravagant expenditure! So, my friends, what I want to know is – have you got a coverstitch machine on your wish list or do you already own one? What model do you have and do you think you get good value from it? Do you have any great coverstitching tips for me?
By the way, I am very proud and flattered to be able to tell you that style advice from me is now being taken up by New York’s sewing elite. I just casually threw a sartorial suggestion over to Peter, author of the world's most popular men’s sewing blog, and did you see what he made of it? Check it out here. Fabulous! Stick with me and you, too, could achieve such casually sophisticated glamour.
In the meantime, I have finished my Butterick dress and will be posting about that as soon as I have got some pictures. Then, I guess, I see some t-shirts in my very near future.
Wow, I am so excited for you. New machine! I understand you on the neat looking finishes. Looking forward to more of your work!
ReplyDeleteI'm not say no to a stand alone, but I just want more time to really give it some thought. Peter does have a good looking pair of boots, and he has great legs, but I agree with your comment that a longer pair of shorts might look better. He does look a little like a James Bond character in those shorts he has on though. I liked your comment about jetsetting. I was cleaning bathrooms and mopping floors yesterday. Maybe I'll wear pearls next time and leave my passport out on the dresser.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Really, it won’t take many sewn t-shirts for your machine to pay for itself. May it serve you well!
ReplyDeleteNew toys are great! I have a silly question: what's the difference between a serger and a coverstitch?
ReplyDeleteHi Karin. Not a silly question at all - I had no real knowledge about coverstitch machines until fairly recently! Basically a serger finishes seams and cuts off the excess at the same time plus you can also do rolled hems (if you disengage the knife). A coverstitch machine is only used for hems - it makes hems exactly like you see on RTW t-shirts that encloses the raw edges (but doesn't cut the fabric) and you can stretch them without any fear of popping stitches. However, some, more expensive, sergers do have the ability to do a coverstitch as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Eugenia!
ReplyDeleteI congratulate on acquisition of this car. More recently and I had a such. I already have had time to estimate speed of tailoring with it. Successes in creativity.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I think a cover stitch machine would be awesome to have, I like the cover stitch look better than serging the hems!
ReplyDeleteHey Eugenia! Congrats on the great machine from a great place! I do not have a coverstitch machine yet, but am excited for you! Right now, one is not on my wishlist either, until I can regularly use my serger = ) ! Enjoy your machine, I think it will serve you well after seeing all the great projects you have already sewn.
ReplyDeleteWhat a MAJOR score! Your machine has got me salivating! LOL! Although I have one of those expensive sergers with coverstitch capabilities I so want a separate coverstitch machine:) You have such a nice hubby. Hope I can squeeze one of these out of mine (wink)!
ReplyDeleteBTW, congrats on being featured on Peter's blog:) It was a cute post and attention you're well worthy of:)
ReplyDeleteThis is the exact same coverstitch machine I have. You are so going to love using it for all your hemming needs. I know this machine can do more than hemming, from watching the DVD that came with mine, but I haven't even gone to those places yet :) Have fun with it. I will check out Peter's blog.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I'm having a massive case of sewing machine envy. :) I'd love a coverstitch machine, but figure I should probably get an overlocker first. I sew a ton of knits (it's what I most prefer to wear) and feel like both machines would totally change my world. Hehehe. Have a great time with your new baby!
ReplyDeleteI don't wear knits often enough to justify a coverstitch machine... But can a coverstitch finish woven hems?? Actually, I don't want to know, because then I'll positively need one.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
You lucky lady! That's on my list, but first ... there are too many things on that evergrowing list. How to prioritize?
ReplyDeleteI have the previous model to this one and I love it. I sew a lot of knits and this is just worth every penny. It's also great for those rtw t shirts that are always too long. I made some yoga pants and used the triple stitch wrong side up and it looked very sporty. Oh, before I bought it I was never really happy with my knit hems and topstitching, now it is so easy so I sew more knits.
ReplyDeleteHi Eugenia, I love your work! I too just purchased a CoverPro 1000CPX and only just set it up yesterday, I loved that mine came prethreaded, such ease in starting! Only thing was my stitches unraveled and there was nothing in my book to advise how to finish it so it wouldn't unravel at the end of stitching...and then I found this video, you may have seen it, but if not, it's worth watching and it works! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPB9W8vYexw
ReplyDeleteOh, link didn't work, do a search in you tube for Janome Coverpro, Linda shows you how to finish those stitches :-)
ReplyDeleteCongrats, I know you are going to loveit.
ReplyDeleteCongraulations!! You must be enjoying it. I'm just beginning to get into my serging - so I'll have to wait a while to add the Janome Coverpro - but hey, I'm putting it on my wishlist!
ReplyDeleteYou really have gotten into knits!! Congrats, and good hubby!!
Nice hubbies rock!! Mine has a similar "let's just get it" attitude that I love ;o)
ReplyDeleteOh how exciting! You've bought the same machine I've been using for the last few years & I can't live without it! it just making sewing with knits even better & you'll be thrilled with the results!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, DH must be a doll to recognise how much you will enjoy sewing with that machine.
I thought Peter was a bit brutal on you actually, but by gosh, he cracks me up!
that outfit he put together was hilarious!
(& only he could get away with it)
I suggested some japanese pattern books to him yesterday, so when I saw the title of his latest offerings, I thought oh no, he's going to carve me up now!
But anyway, we'll expect even greater offerings from you now that you are able to churn out a professional hem on a knit, so keep them coming!
I am jealous! What a great machine and I want one so badly - it has been on my wishlist for a while now. Alas, I will need to wait a little while longer because I can't justify the expense.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new machine. I have the same one and love it. It spins like a kitty and those hems look great. I hope you'll have lots of fun with it!
ReplyDeleteI will be interested to see what you think of this machine when you road-tested it. I want one too - it is on the list, but won't happen until I have a dedicated sewing space (hopefully in the next 6 months).
ReplyDeleteYou will love your coverstitch machine. I have a Janome also.
ReplyDeleteWow, I am jealous! I would love to have a coverstitch! (but of course, I would have to stop buying old machines for a minute...and we all know that isn't going to happen!).
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new machine!
ReplyDeleteI didn't see anyone else link to Debbie Cook's coverstitch posts, so here's a link for you of all the posts Debbie has tagged "coverstitch".
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com/search/label/coverstitch
At the bottom there are additional helpful links to Belinda's and Gigi's blogs.
Nice machine! I'm a step behind, just researching which serger I should get (& can afford!). Good luck with the trials...
ReplyDeleteOh how fun!!
ReplyDelete