How to Sew a Coverstitch With a Twin Needle & Sewing Machine

If you're an avid sewer and want your creations to have a more professional seam - then learning how to sew with a twin needle is very helpful. Until recently, I had no idea my sewing machine was capable of sewing beautiful coverstitches with a twin needle. If you plan on sewing knits, swimwear or other stretchy material, this technique will provide you with a seam that has elasticity and looks professional!

Materials:

• A sewing machine capable of twin-needle stitches (refer to your manual - as many sewing machines have this feature)
• Thread, scissors and material
• Extra Spool Pin
• Twin Needle - A stretch twin needle is recommended
• *wooly nylon thread - optional

The first thing you should do is change out your standard needle and replace it with your twin needle. I loosened the standard needle with a small flat-head screwdriver. Once removed, I replaced it with the twin needle.

Next, remove your presser foot. You'll need to replace it with a zigzag foot. My zigzag foot came with my machine when I purchased it. If you aren't sure if you have one, please check your manual. To change a presser foot, my machine has a little button to push to remove/replace it.

The last thing to do is add the extra spool pin and thread. Please note, your machine might have a different method of threading and preparing to sew with a twin needle. So, please check your manual just in case. On my sewing machine, this is the way it works.

I put the extra spool pin in it's slot (see image). Then I thread the normal spool of thread as I would normally. But, be sure to have the thread going around the spool in a clockwise direction. Then, when you get that strand of thread all the way down to the needles, you'll want to put this behind the needle bar thread guide. This is the same as if you were threading your normal needle. But, then pull the thread under and insert into the right needle. Then, pull the thread through the needle but not underneath the presser foot as you normally would.

Next, place the second spool of thread on the extra side spool pin. Make sure the thread is also going in the same direction (clockwise) as the other one. Bring it through the same as the other thread until you get near the needle. Do not put this one behind the needle bar thread guide - rather just thread the left needle. Take the excess thread and set it with the other thread. Do not put this underneath the presser foot as you would if you were sewing normally. The bottom bobbin thread should be the same as you normally have it.
You're almost ready to begin sewing with this!

Now you're ready to sew with your twin needle and everything is in place and ready to go. But, be very careful that you check your manual so you know what types of stitches your twin needle is capable of producing. I prefer to do a standard straight stitch (this will produce the coverstitch). When you flip this over after doing that stitch, you'll see that underneath it is a beautiful zigzag ladder-like stitch. It looks professional - just like someone who's used a serger or coverstitch machine to produce. It's a strong, yet flexible stitch. It works great for sewing clothing.

Just be careful you choose the proper stitch. I made the mistake (once) of not switching my stitch after turning on my machine - and all it took was one time and both needles were broken instantly. They hit the presser foot because I didn't change the stitch to one that was moved over to the right a bit. It was very frustrating because I was working on something important and had to drive out to the fabric store for an extra twin needle!

When sewing, take your time. Test out your settings before sewing on the final product. Also, if you want a lot more elasticity on your fabric seam - you may want to buy some wooly nylon thread and use that as your bobbin thread. Also, be careful with the tension your machine is set at - it's recommended to loosen that when sewing with a twin needle to produce a coverstitch.