Coverstitch Vs Overlock| The Truth No One Told You

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I used to think all stretchy seams were the same on sewing machine. If it held the fabric together and looked decent, that was enough for me.

Then I sewed my first knit garments top.

The seam edges looked okay with an overlock stitch, but the hem? It curled, it stretched out, and it didn’t look anything like the polished finish on my store-bought T-shirts. That’s when I found the coverstitch stitch—and suddenly, everything changed.

See, overlock stitches are great for sealing edges and making sure your fabric doesn’t fray.

But coverstitch?

That’s the magic behind those flat, stretchy hems you see on activewear and tees. Two parallel lines on the outside, with a neat looper thread underneath—clean, flexible, and professional.

Once I realized the difference, I stopped using one stitch for everything and started choosing based on the final look and feel I wanted.

So if you’re wondering which stitch to use when coverstitch vs overlock, you’re in the right place.Let’s compare them side by side, like coverstitch vs serger, and see where each one truly shines.

Coverstitch Vs Overlock Stitch

Coverstitch Vs Overlock: Side By Side Comparison

Both stitches have their own era to shine, of course. But who will win in the stitch competition? Let’s find this out,

1st Stop: Appearance Comparison

The difference in appearance and finish between coverstitch and overlock is like night and day.

Coverstitch Vs Overlock Appearance Comparison

A coverstitch machine gives you those clean, double (or triple) straight lines on the outside with a looper thread underneath. It’s exactly what you see on store-bought T-shirt hems. It’s made to be seen, smooth to the touch, and lies perfectly flat without stretching out weirdird.

Overlock is more behind-the-scenes like flat lock stitch. It wraps the edge of your fabric with loops, trims as it goes, and hides itself inside seams. It looks tidy but definitely not decorative.

2nd Stop: Versatility In Use

They each have their lane, and they’re not really interchangeable.

Overlock is the multitasker. It sews, trims, and finishes seams all at once. It makes it perfect for construction, especially on knits. Side seams, sleeve joins, raw edges—you name it, overlock handles it like a champ.

Cover stitch machine? It’s more of a specialist. Its job is to hem and topstitch, giving garments that stretchy, store-bought look.

Overlock Vs Coverstitch Versatility In Use

But that’s about it—it doesn’t trim, and it’s not meant to join fabric pieces together.

3rd Stop: Comfort & Skin Feel

If you are looking for comfort, then you need to really look into it. Coverstitch is the smooth operator.

It lies flat against the skin with no bulky seams or scratchy threads. That looper on the underside stretches with your fabric and feels soft, which is why it’s used on hems and seams that touch your skin, like necklines and sleeve edges.

Comfort & Skin Feel Coverstitch Vs Overlock

Overlock? It’s comfy enough, but you’ll still feel the seam. It wraps around the edge and can have a slight ridge, especially on thicker fabrics. It’s secure, but not exactly seamless.

4th Stop: Strength & Durability

Overlock stitches are built to hold seams together under pressure. They wrap around the fabric edge, trim it, and lock it in tight. It is perfect for areas that require stress, stretch, and movement, such as side seams or fitted garments.

You can even go with a 4-thread overlock for extra reinforcement.

Coverstitch? It looks good and stretches well, but it’s not meant to carry load. It doesn’t join fabric or secure raw edges. It just hems and finishes.

Relying on it for seam allowance strength?

Risky move.

Overlock and Coverstitch Strength vs Durability

Glance Of Difference Between Coverstitch Vs Overlock

I know now you kind of tell which is best, right? But still let’s make it easy for you.

FeatureCoverstitchOverlock
FinishFlat, polished hem with visible topstitchLooped edge, hidden inside seams
UseBest for hemming and topstitchingIdeal for joining, trimming, and finishing
ComfortSoft, flat, skin-friendlySlight ridge, can be felt on the skin
StrengthFlexible but not strongStrong and durable for seam allowances construction
Difference Between Coverstitch Vs Overlock

Which One Is Best Among Coverstitch Vs Overlock?

So, I ran a little stitch showdown on my socials, Coverstitch vs Overlock. And asked my fellow sewists which one they actually prefer using.

And the results?

Overlock stitch took the win. By a landslide.

About 73% of people voted for Overlock, especially for its strength, versatility, and all-in-one magic (trims + stitches + finishes in one go? Yes please!).

Which One Is Best Among Coverstitch Vs Overlock

Some of the comments I got were spot on:

coverstitch vs overlock survey

“Overlock is my go-to for everything. I literally can’t sew knits fabrics without it!”
— @craftycarla

“Coverstitch is pretty, but overlock is practical. It holds things together garment construction for real.”
— @threadaddict

“Overlock first, then coverstitch for the final touch. It’s not either/or—it’s a team!”
— @sewmelovely

That said,

The coverstitch lovers showed up too. It is especially those working on activewear or who love that polished, professional hem look. It’s the favorite for finishing, just not for heavy lifting.

The moral of the story is,

If you had to pick just one, most stitchers agree: Overlock is the must-have stitch. Coverstitch is like the icing on the cake—gorgeous, but you need that strong base first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a coverstitch to sew seams?

Not really. Coverstitch is meant for hemming and topstitching—it’s not designed to join fabric or finish raw edges.

Is overlock good for hemming?

It can work in a pinch, but it won’t give you that clean, double-line finish like a coverstitch. Overlock is best for seams and edge finishing.

Do I need both stitches in my sewing setup?

If you sew a lot of knit fabrics or want that pro look, yes. Overlock does the construction, and coverstitch makes it look polished.

Which one is more beginner-friendly?

Overlock is easier to start with since it’s more versatile and essential for most projects. Coverstitch takes a bit more tweaking to master.

Final Take

Both stitches have their place, but if you’re choosing just one, overlock is the real winner. It is strong, versatile, and perfect for everyday sewing. Coverstitch is the glow-up finish, but overlock does the heavy lifting.

Most stitchers agree: build with overlock, finesse with coverstitch.

Maisha Soumee

Maisha Soumee

Hi there! I’m Maisha Soumee, the proud torchbearer of our family’s sewing legacy and the driving force behind this website. With Grandma Manha’s teachings as my foundation, I’m honored to continue the tradition of craftsmanship and creativity. As a passionate seamstress, I’m dedicated to sharing the joy of sewing with you, our valued community.

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