How I Use my Coverstitch Machine -- Janome CoverPro1000CPX

[@vernabohnert635]

Oh my goodness! I tried to get my cover stitch machine to work today for 2 hours, it wasn’t having it! I finally gave up and turned to KZbin for some possible remedies and you gave the most help of anyone! Thank you so much for sharing 🙏.

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

Aw great to hear. I hate that frustrated feeling of trying to get your machine to work!

[@lafrileuse4459]

The best way to prevent skipped stitches is to lower your needles in the fabric every time you stop to remove a pin (if the needles are in the up position). When you use very soft, slinky fabric like rayon or bamboo jersey, it helps to either starch your fabric or use Wonder tape. To go over bulky seams, you can either use a hump jumper, or sew those few stitches by hand cranking the wheel. When you finish, you need to raise your presser foot, bring the threads under the foot forward a few inches with a flat ruler (or anything flat enough), cut the thread and then, tuck your fabric backwards in a sharp movement. This will bring the threads under the fabric and that will lock the stitches. I think you should try the transparent presser foot, it really helps you see where you're going when you sew in the round. It's also easier to sew a hem when you press it first. 😉

[@jeanettespracklen5777]

Hi - I have just watched your video. I have a Janome Coverpro 2000. I realise that this is a different machine from a sewing machine and can be a bit daunting, but here are a few things that might help you. 1. You should never cut the threads from where you start sewing. This is because after repeated washing you could have the threads unravelling. You should pull the thread on the reverse so that you see the threads on the top pop through to the back side. Pull the threads through so you have 3 on the wrong side. Tie them off and then cut the dangling threads. 2. When you get to the end of the stitching, lift the foot, get your tweezers or something to put under the foot to pull the threads out to the front. Cut the threads, then pull the fabric out backwards. This will ensure the 3 threads are all on the wrong side and you can then tie them off before cutting the excess. This will also prevent unravelling. 3. You may have skipped stitches for a few reasons. You need to change your needles (the Coverpro and Overlockers have specific needle types that must be used, you can't use any machine needles, refer to your manual), or your tension is not correct on the presser foot. 4. Tunnelling will happen if your looper thread (bottom thread) tension is too tight. Practice with some offcuts, to get it right. There are loads of you tube videos about how to use a coversitch machine and that is how I worked with mine. I love it for hemming. It makes things so professional looking. Hope this helps with your sewing.

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

Thanks so much for the tips! I think using the wooly nylon on the bottom looper kinda adds extra tension because it has its own stretch. So I’ve got the tension way down on it. I still like it more than a standard thread on the bottom. And sometimes I do get gradual unraveling after repeated washes which is annoying so I’ll try your locking method and see if that helps!

[@denise62007]

One tip that helped me a lot with skipped stitches, try putting a piece of folded fabric under the presser foot and after the needles when going through the side seams it’ll put the presser foot at the same level of the “bump” so that it won’t stuck and skip stitch. Needles always down when lifting the presser foot.

[@jamka4911]

Oh, that is amazing tip about woolly nylon thread for lower looper! Made such a difference in my case. I really cross with my coverpro1000CP. After your advice I gave it a go and was so amazed! It didn’t miss a stitch! I am so grateful to your video! 🙏🙏🙏 thanks a lot !!!!!!

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

This is amazing 👏👏 so glad to hear it!!

[@diocelinaweber5457]

Thank you, I have this machine and I never have used it. AFTER YOUR TUTORIAL , I will try to use it. thanks

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

This makes me so happy to hear. It is a decent machine if you can get it working properly!!

[@jewelbriard5444]

Oh another machine collector like me ... 😂 I need to start using mine also.

[@Palehowl]

Excellent video! I have the same machine and gave up on it years ago, but now I’m going to try it again.

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

Glad to hear it! I do think if I was to buy another coverstitch now, I would get a Babylock. But this machine has been working smoothly for me ever since I fixed the feed dogs. Did you see my first video on troubleshooting those? Mine were installed improperly and fixing those made a huge difference.

[@melaniealdridge4244]

Thanks for posting the video. I picked up some tips. I also think they can be finicky so I test every time before starting on my garment. I just rethread rather than tying thread to old thread. Not sure which one is faster.

[@Majabur89]

I purchased Janome hem guide, but I am new to cover stitching would love to see you do a demo on them. I found it on Amazon for way less than at my local shop.

[@phylliscarlyle8455]

I recommend pressing the hem before stitching and it is more likely to be a uniform width. The color blocked shirt is cute.

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

Great idea. I never thought to press but that sound like it would help get an even result!

[@Just-a-girl]

I've learnt to starch the hems on stretchy knits too..

[@deardarcie]

Omg - I've had this machine for 3 years and was contemplating selling it because it so blipping cantankerous. I've never been happy with it. I'm going to give it another try thanks to your video! (I found your youtube channel after buying your lovely Endless Summer blouse pattern last week!)

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

That’s great to hear! I felt the same way about this machine. It’s still not perfect but overall I love using it for my knit projects! Hope you get it working!!

[@vernabohnert635]

I do like your pieced t shirt 😋

[@pamgroom7117]

Useful. Thanks. Just starting using my Brother Coverstitch machine. I found one at a thrift store, and it works great, except for removing the garment afterwards. Thanks for the thread pull trick.

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

So cool you found one second-hand and even better if you can get it working for you!

[@normbutler22]

that is a known problem with the brother cover stitch machine. I returned mine for that specific reason, there was no way to release the tension/threads not even by pulling the threads forward.😢

[@marthahayden5194]

I enjoyed watching your video, Ann. It was a nice review of what we did in class in case I ever get a cover stitch machine!

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

Thanks for watching Martha! What did you think of my scrappy shirt? Pretty funky haha, I used some damaged and off-cut shirts which was fun.

[@lew1776]

i loove this machine its so great when you want to just sew without changing a bobbin too

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

Good point. Sometimes I keep just one needle in and use it as a chainstitch machine for basting test seams together. Then I can unravel in a snap!

[@lew1776]

@@AnnTilleyHandmade also I notice people saying to pull the threads forwards which I never do, I lift the foot and crank it backwards a stitch, hold the fabric, pull and cut. That seems more time effective to me. The one needle chain stitch is so strong yet easy to rip!

[@julieryding2030]

Thank you for this!

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

Happy to help!

[@debbiecook4270]

I enjoyed your video but I feel "compelled" (haha) to let you know that I have a Babylock CS machine and I NEVER have the problems you've had with your Janome. I've been using it for 15+ years and I was up and running after the first week, not 6 years. LOL And it's been trouble-free all these years. Janome CS machines do have a rep for being problematic so there's that too. But I do like your Just Make It Work attitude!

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

Good to know! I tried to do research about best purchase before I got mine, nothing beats word-of-mouth feedback on stuff like this.

[@debbiecook4270]

@@AnnTilleyHandmade The other thing that is/was a big factor when you were buying is there is a big price difference between BL and Janome. The air threading feature is overkill for one looper (and I still tie on and pull through like you because it's faster) but back when I bought mine, BL held the patent and priced accordingly. Thanks for taking it as constructive feedback, as it was intended. It's clear to see that you've definitely got yours under control. 🙂

[@julsbendandi9374]

I agree 100%. I love my babylock and am never ever buying a janome again. It was a nightmare.

[@tinar1142]

I bought this a year ago and haven't even turned it on yet!! I hope it still works ok, I've been too nervous.

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

You can do it!! It’s worth it!

[@notesfromleisa-land]

I would absolutely wear that shirt (and I'm 63)

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

Haha glad to hear it! It has become one of my fave shirts already :)

[@andymerrick57]

I just gave up on my janome and got an industrial with top cover and a selection of binders for less than janome want to charge for just a single binder. After using my temperamental coverpro for years I’ll never touch janome again. Industrial machines are as smooth as can be, jump the seams with ease and never skip stitches 🤷‍♂️

[@Power_Pulse]

May I ask what you bought now?

[@treevaramsey3647]

Your machine should not be skipping stitches! I have had the Janome Cover Stitch Machine, 1000CP, for several years. It was skipping stitches, and I took it back to the place where it was purchased. The timing was not right, so after it was adjusted, no more skipping. I really like mine!

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

It just seems to be skipping when the machine stalls over thicknesses. But still have much to learn. Would love to try other cover-stitch machines to see how they compare.

[@vernabohnert635]

Can I ask, what kind of industrial machines, I should say, the brands. I REALLY hate my Brother serger! Thanks again 😋.

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

I have a Yamato serger that’s pretty old. I got it from a factory liquidator. My single needle industrial is a Brother with some nice automatic features like thread cutting that I love. Just a bummer that they take up so much space. Would have more if I had the room!

[@vernabohnert635]

@ thank you for the information, I really want an industrial single stitch machine 😋

[@jameshoeve4466]

6 years?

[@AnnTilleyHandmade]

Yep I limped along for 6 years before I got it going well. Let’s just say it wasn’t my top priority

[@letuswalkinthelightofthelo5350]

You are a professional garment maker and you have struggled for 6 years to use it properly? There is literally no hope for average sewist!! 😱😱😱