How to Remove a Coverstitch Seam
We’ve all been there. You’re sewing along and realized you made a mistake in a seam. Out comes the seam ripper! But when it is a coverstitch seam you have to unpick, it’s even worse, right? Not anymore! To unpick a coverstitch seam is actually fast and easy once you know how. And today, I am going to teach you a handy hack for how to remove a coverstitch seam in moments!
There are two ways to remove a coverstitch seam- when it is still on the machine, and after it is off. The technique is slightly different for each situation, but both are very easy!
Remove a Coverstitch Seam Still On the Machine

Step One. Stop sewing as soon as you realize you made a mistake, but do not remove the fabric from the machine!

Step Two. Using the handwheel, sew one stitch going BACKWARDS.

Step Three. Lift the needles (backward) and presser foot, and slide the fabric away. Trim the thread connecting it to the machine.

Step Four. Starting with the end you finished on, start gently pulling the looper thread. It will just fall away!

Step Five. Flip the fabric over and pull out the needles threads. They’ll lift right up!
That’s it! Easy!
Remove a Coverstitch seam once the seam is already done

Step One. Locate the end of the seam you FINISHED on. This is very important. It must be the side of the fabric that you finished the seam on, not the starting stitches.

Step Two. Using a seam ripper, carefully remove just the last 2-3 stitches.

Step Three. Start gently pulling the looper thread. It will come right out!

Step Four. Flip over the fabric and remove the needle threads. They will lift right out of the fabric!
That’s it!
As you can see, removing a coverstitch seam is actually way easier than it seems. No need to pick out every individual stitch. You can remove a whole seam in just seconds! The next time you are hemming on a coverstitch and realize you made a small mistake (it happens to us all!), just use this method to quickly and easily remove a coverstitch seam and you’ll be back to sewing in no time!
Do you have a favorite sewing hack? We would love to hear it! Share it with us in our Facebook group, where you can also get help, support, feedback, and a ton of encouragement from fellow sewists!