Cover Stitch Etiquette

[BrendaP]

If I had to choose between the cover stitch and overlocker I’d keep the overlocker every time. As nice as the coverstitch is for binding, hems and other stuff I couldn’t sew anything without the overlocker.

Definitely!

You can substitute a twin needle in a regular lockstitch machine and get a passable substitution for the coverstitcher's topstitching, but the overlocker and its knife for trimming can't be substituted.  Yes you can do overedge stitches, but the cutting/trimming has to to be manual.

[mudcat]

I have an older BabyLock Imagine and haven't used it since around 2008. When I first got it I used it quite a bit but got out of the habit when I returned to sewing after a three year hiatus. I think the seam/overlock on my Viking #1 does a quality job on the seams even though it's slow going.  I don't find it necessary to trim very often because I mostly use Style Arc with their 1/4" or 3/8" seam allowances.

That being said I am planning to get the Imagine up and running one of these days because I'll be doing some production sewing of workout clothes and it sure is faster!  I did try to use it last year one time and the stitch quality was off so it may need service and/or some tweaking.