Product · JUKI
Juki MCS-1500: 3 needle cover and chain stitch
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The Juki MCS-1500 is a cover hem machine that does a little more than hem. Alongside a 3 needle cover stitch it offers a chain stitch, which is useful for decorative topstitching and basting. It suits sewists who make a lot of knitwear and want both stitches from one dedicated machine, and who prefer the reassurance of colour coded threading on the loopers.
- Type
- Coverstitch and chainstitch
- Cover hem
- 3 thread cover stitch
- Threads or needles
- 3 needles
- Threading help
- Colour coded guides
- Weight
- Not stated
In its favour
- Three needles allow a triple cover stitch as well as wide and narrow hems.
- Chain stitch mode adds decorative and basting options.
- Colour coded guides for the needles and loopers are listed.
Good to know
- The warranty terms in the listing are for the US, so check UK cover with the seller.
- The listed weight is clearly wrong, so check it before buying.
Our take
Needles, stitches and speed
The listing states 3 needles, a 3 thread cover stitch and a 4 thread chain stitch, at a speed of 1,350 stitches per minute. With three needles you can sew a wide triple cover hem, as seen on sportswear, or remove a needle for a narrower twin row.
A chain stitch looks like a straight stitch on top and a chain of loops underneath. It is flexible and quick to unpick, which makes it handy for temporary seams and fitting garments.
Threading and warranty
Juki states that threading the machine and its loopers is easy thanks to colour coded guides. The listing also includes warranty details, but they are described as US terms, so check what applies to a UK purchase before relying on them.
Listing details to treat with care
The spec table gives an item weight of 454 g, which cannot be right for a metal cover stitch machine of this size, so treat it as a data error. Dimensions are around 39 cm wide, 36 cm deep and 34 cm high. The listing does not mention a free arm, differential feed or included feet.
Against the CoverPro 2000CPX and MO735
The Janome CoverPro 2000CPX lists a free arm and tension control aimed at stopping puckering, but no chain stitch. The Juki MO735 is a five thread overlocker that also does 2 and 3 needle cover stitch, which saves space but means switching between modes. If you already have an overlocker, a dedicated machine like the MCS-1500 avoids that changeover.
Who it does not suit
If you sew mainly woven fabrics, a cover stitch machine is a luxury rather than a need. Anyone without an overlocker would get more use from a combination machine first.
Verdict
Pick the Juki MCS-1500 if you already overlock your seams and want a dedicated cover hem machine with chain stitch and colour coded threading. If hemming sleeves in the round is more important, the Janome CoverPro 2000CPX has the stated free arm, and if you need one machine for everything, the Juki MO735.
Compared with alternatives in: Best coverstitch and combination overlockers
Amazon listing title: Juki MCS-1500 Cover Stitch and Chain Stitch Machine