Gemini Stitch or Lock Pro - which do you need? -Crafters Companion UK

With so many sewing-related machines on the market, it can be quite confusing and overwhelming when deciding which would be best for your projects, particularly if you’re a beginner. There are sewing machines that offer a whole range of stitches and self-threading capabilities, and there’s overlockers for professional finishes. So which one is the one for you?

Luckily, we’ve put together this handy guide about the Gemini Stitch and Lock Pro to help you see the differences and learn which machine is best for your projects.

Gemini Stitch

What is it?

The Gemini Stitch is our sewing machine and it’s absolutely perfect for beginners and experts alike. It’s a handy, compact size, so it can fit in almost any space, and it includes detailed instructions to help you get the most out of it.

The main difference between the Stitch and the Lock Pro is that the Stitch has a much wider variety of functions. While it can help you to hem and sew edges together like the Lock Pro, the Stitch can produce decorative stitches, allows you to move the fabric flexibly whilst sewing and helps you attach embellishments, like zips or buttons. Certain stitches come with customisable features to adjust the length and width, making it easy to select and use the perfect stitch for the fabric you’re working with.

This means that the Gemini Stitch is the perfect thing to create a range of sewing, quilting and patchwork products with. You could use it to make your own clothes or soft furnishings. It’s ideal for using alongside the Multi Media Dies to make bags, quilts and purses. Or you could even use it to try your hand at free-motion quilting to make your projects really personal. The possibilities are endless!

What comes with it?

For decorative designs, a darning plate and foot is included, which also enables you to try and experiment with techniques such as free-motion embroidery. There are also 33 different stitches with a twin needle functionality for you to try out!

Other features include: 4 step buttonhole, reverse sewing lever, storage extension table, needle plate guidelines, built-in LED light, shutter hook system and front-loading bobbin, and three needle positions.

Which stitches are available?

Straight stitch – includes adjustable length
Tacking stitch functionality
Triple stretch stitch – allows use on multiple types of fabric
Zig zag stitch – perfect for use on stretch fabrics with adjustable length and width functions
Multi-stitch zig zag stitch – adjustable in length and width
Overcasting stitch
Smocking stitch
Blind hem stitch
Overlock stitch
Applique/satin stitch
Patchwork/rampart stitch
Buttonhole stitch

If you’d like a bit more of an introduction to the Gemini Stitch, take a look at the video below to see Lizzy Curtis unboxing and talking about hers!

Gemini Lock Pro

What is it?

The Lock Pro is specifically designed to finish projects in a professional and high quality way. In fact, this machine isn’t even classed as a sewing machine! Overlockers or sergers are in a league of their own, and they specialise in hemming and joining seams to prevent them from fraying.

As this is the only functionality of this machine, it is much less versatile than the Stitch, so it shouldn’t be your first choice if you were looking for a machine that would help you to piece a project together. However, if you’ve got projects that require a precise finish, then the Lock Pro is for you.

Where a sewing machine will help you to piece fabrics together, the Lock Pro will cut off the seam allowance as it sews along the edges, resulting in a precise finish.

What comes with it?

This lightweight, yet sturdy machine features many versatile and adjustable functions, such as 16 program settings, a thread chain trimmer and differential feed adjustment. It also includes an elastic foot and blind hem foot alongside an instruction-based DVD featuring a step-by-step guide to setting up this amazing machine.

Don’t worry if you’re a total beginner to overlocking – there are plenty of useful features to help you! It’s colour-coded for easy threading and has a built-in accessory storage drawer, so you can keep all your tools close. It also features stitch width up to 7mm, stitch length up to 4mm, flatlock using two threads or three threads, four types of easy rolled hems and a heavy duty cutting system.

What about the Stitch’s ‘overlock stitch’ feature?

As mentioned in the Stitch portion, the sewing machine does feature an overlock stitch feature, which does make it possible to achieve a high quality finish without the Lock Pro. However, the overlock stitch feature won’t trim your material as you sew and the stitch will lack the strength and stretchiness that comes from the multi-thread Lock Pro.

So if you’re adding a professional edge to your bags, clothes or sewing projects, the Lock Pro is the machine that you need!

If you’d like a bit more of an introduction to the Lock Pro, take a look at Lizzy Curtis’ video below!

In a nutshell, the Gemini Stitch is much better suited to projects that are being sewn or quilted from scratch. It is good at putting all the pieces together and offers a wide range of stitches to help you. The Gemini Lock Pro is specifically designed for finishing hems and seams in a professional way, so it’s ideal if you’re looking for a high quality look.

We hope that this guide has been helpful for you and we’re looking forward to seeing all the projects you create with your new machine! Share your photos with us on our Sew Inspiring with Crafter’s Companion Facebook page, tag us on Instagram (#crafterscompanionsews), on Pinterest (@CraftersCompUK) or on Twitter (@CraftersCompUK)!