Best Coverstitch Machines for Hemming Knits (2026)

Janome describes the CoverPro 2000CPX as a cross between an industrial cover hem machine and a home machine: a long arm, heavy-duty cover hem machine that looks and runs like a sewing machine. It sews a 1-needle, 2-thread chain stitch, a 2-needle, 3-thread cover stitch at 3 mm (narrow) or 6 mm (standard) and a 3-needle, 4-thread triple cover stitch 6 mm wide. Stitch length runs from 1 to 4 mm and speed up to 1,000 stitches per minute.

The features that matter for production hemming are the free arm, the 0.5 to 2.25 differential feed range for keeping knit hems flat, adjustable foot pressure with guide lines and a 4 by 5.5 inch bed. Janome also sells the CoverPro 1000CPX at an MSRP of $999, with the same stitches and its Seam Tightening System; Janome's 2000CPX page adds Tension Level Control and an LED light, which the 1000CPX page does not list.

Brother's 2340CV is a dedicated coverstitch machine with three needles and one looper. It sews a tri-cover stitch, wide and narrow cover stitches from 3 to 6 mm and chain stitch, at up to 1,100 stitches per minute, with stitch length from 2 to 4 mm set by dial and a slide lever for differential feed. The Amazon listing gives the differential feed as 0.7 to 2.0 (per the Amazon listing). Threading is lay-in and color-coded, with what Brother calls a fast and easy looper threading system.

For the price of many sergers, it adds the hem that a serger cannot sew. The trade-off against the Janome is the lack of a listed free arm, which matters if you hem a lot of small tubes such as kids' sleeves. Amazon also lists the 2340CV in a bundle with Brother's 1034D serger, which is the pairing in our best serger guide.

Juki sells the MCS-1500 as a specialized chainstitch and coverstitch machine. It sews 3-thread and 4-thread coverstitch with a choice of 2.5 mm or 5 mm width, plus chainstitch, at up to 1,350 stitches per minute, with a 4 mm maximum stitch length. Its lower looper threader disengages so you can slide the thread in, then snaps back into place.

The foot is the reason to pick it for heavier knits such as sweatshirt fleece: Juki says it opens to 8 mm or 10 mm for thick layers, and the front of the foot lifts higher than the back for easier fabric insertion. It also has adjustable presser foot pressure, a seam-guide extension plate and a thread cutter on the outside of the machine. The machine weighs 15.5 lb, per Juki.

The CV3550 adds what the 2340CV lacks: a cover spreader and a free arm. It has three needles, one lower looper and one cover spreader, which adds double-sided versions of its stitches: double-sided tri-cover, double-sided wide cover and double-sided narrow cover, alongside the standard tri-cover, wide and narrow cover stitches and narrow and standard chain stitching. It runs at up to 1,000 stitches per minute.

Brother lists a free arm for necklines and cuffs, a large 6.1 by 3.9 inch LED-lit workspace, a thread cutter, adjustable presser foot pressure and color-coded threading with easy looper and cover spreader threading. It carries Brother's 1/5/25 year limited warranty and is sold through dealers, so ask one for the current price and which feet come in the box.