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.
Table of Contents
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.
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 like coverstitch vs serger.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Feature | Coverstitch | Overlock |
| Finish | Flat, polished hem with visible topstitch | Looped edge, hidden inside seams |
| Use | Best for hemming and topstitching | Ideal for joining, trimming, and finishing |
| Comfort | Soft, flat, skin-friendly | Slight ridge, can be felt on the skin |
| Strength | Flexible but not strong | Strong and durable for seam allowances construction |
If you like this comparison, then read out serger vs sewing machine stitch too. I bet you are wanna love this too.
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!).
Some of the comments I got were spot on:
“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.
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