There are a lot of variables involved in keeping this machine from throwing temper tantrums. Like I mentioned when talking about thread, using thinner thread will give you smaller needle thread loops, but thinner thread is more prone to breaking. The typical approach of finishing by pulling on both threads with the screwdriver does not work well. Set your tension dials to 4 to start with. Hemming: On a coverstitch machine, you have to sew a hem from the right side, which takes a bit to get used to. Pay attention here, because this is one of the places where the manual goes horribly wrong. Babylock has the needles vertical on their coverstitch machines, which they say is better. Change ). I especially need to do that if all three needles are threaded. Yes, I would buy the Brother 2340CV again. Draw a big red X through these instructions. The needle thread is now magically pulled to the back, and you have thread tails that you can tie in a knot to secure them. It just boggles my mind as to why anyone uses glue sticks or irons before they hem. I’m curious, what size/type/brand of needles are you using? Cut the old thread near the cone, put the new cone in place, tie the end of the new thread to the old thread, then hold down the tension release button while you pull on the end of the old thread to pull the new thread through. Wooly nylon shrinks like crazy, and you will end up with a horrible puckered mess after you wash your garment (ask me how I know). I threw that thread away, because it was probably not strong enough to use in my serger, either. Types of stitches: With this cover stitch machine you are probably not going to get perfect looking stitches that look like the drawings in the manual. If it works for you, just skip buying Brother’s binder kit. If the manual is your only source of information for how to use this machine you will probably never be successful with it. It’s a quick and easy way to change the looper thread. I compared the breaking strength of the three brands. Textured polyester thread is widely used in the garment industry – it was used on over half of the ready-to-wear t-shirts I checked – but so far it is not widely available to home sewers (in the US, anyway). I couldn’t find a single review for this machine. Contact Business Sales, The 2340CV Cover Stitch is an advanced serger, which allows you to create a wide range of cover stitches on all types and weights of fabric for both decorative and constructive applications. I only saw Schmetz ELx705 needles for sale with a universal point (also called “light ball point” or “slight ball point”), although apparently Schmetz does make the medium ball point version. These robust, reliable, high-speed scanners can facilitate digital transformation and easily integrate into your work environment. You can download the Brother 2340CV manual if you don’t have a copy of it and you’d like to follow along. Hold down the needle thread tension release buttons while you pull back on your fabric. The 2340CV Cover Stitch is an advanced Serger, which allows you to create a wide range of cover stitches on all types and weights of fabric for both decorative and constructive applications. "AllBrands is a Brother Authorized Dealer and ASC Authorized Service Center for any repairs including warranty parts, electrical and labor. My stitches always look more like the “Needle thread is too loose” pictures in the manual. If you want a softer looper thread that isn’t as scratchy (especially when topstitching necklines) use textured polyester thread such as Polyarn* in the looper. If you can barely pull out the thread and/or it jerks or breaks as you pull it out, the tension is set too high. I’m going to start sewing again and will print it all off for reference! Regarding those thin needles. The Brother 2340CV does not have the standard screw holes for attaching a generic binder, but you can tape the generic binder onto the machine bed with blue painter’s tape, which works just fine. If your needle thread is breaking, lower every single tension knob, including the looper, 0.25 at a time until your thread stops breaking. Both machines have differential feed, straight chainstitch, and easy looper threading. I tend to buy whatever serger thread is on sale, so I have a mix of Maxi-Lock, SureLock, and Toldi-Lock. It works well, and I’m glad I have it, but the machine comes with an “LC1” presser foot that is the same length as the binder foot, but narrower and without the edge guide, and it seems to work OK with a binder, too. If the thread pulls out smoothly and your thread doesn’t feel like it is about to break, your tension is probably fine. The Janome cover stitch machines use ELx705 needles, not regular household sewing machine needles. If I could choose between the cover stitch machines on the market now? This method is useful if you mess up and want to remove your stitches, or if your thread breaks or jams. Another option to split up a single spool is to wind some thread onto a cardboard cone or an empty serger thread cone. Stitch Options and Needles. This machine might be OK if you only want to use it for hemming and topstitching very near the edge of the fabric. I recommend getting these feet if you do a lot of topstitching. If one needle obviously has lower or higher tension, adjust the tensions as needed. There are some very thin, flimsy looking plastic parts inside the tension dials, so be very careful if you choose to adjust them yourself. I’m glad you got me thinking about needle bar height though – I bet that’s what’s wrong with my old serger. * Links in this post identified by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links. I’m looking to buy a coverstitch, and you just convinced me to get the Juki. Another thing you can do is to pull out the needle thread loops one at a time so you don’t have to pull as hard on the thread. Shorter stitches leave you with a lot of thread bulk on the under side, so don’t shorten them unless you have a good reason to. Thank you so much for all the info! Brother 2340CV has 3 needle positions for 1/8" and 1/4" wide double or triple needle straight stitches with bottom coverstitch, and a lot more accessories available below. I don’t live near a dealer, so I found a copy of the Brother 2340CV service manual online, and it describes how to adjust the tension dials. Some people love them and some people have nothing but trouble with them. I also have a Pfaff 4850 Cover Style machine which is an overlock/coerstitch combo, and the needles are slanted like on your Brother and on all my Juki overlockers. I found when I got the machine that a few adjustments in tensions and more specifically the needles were needed. With the Brother 2340CV, hammering your seams greatly reduces skipped stitches, broken needles, and broken thread. I’m glad I could save you the frustration I went through. Even with the needle tension lower while using serger thread in the needles, smaller loops are formed. My recommendations: If you need a cover stitch machine right now, you don’t need to sew thick fabric with it, and you only have enough money to buy the Brother 2340CV*, go for it. I have had this machine for 4-5 years. Don’t tie on the new needle thread and pull it through, because the needle threads follow the same path at one point and the threads could get twisted together.