Choosing the right sewing machine for your projects takes a lot of work and research. With so many different types of sewing machines offering different accessories and capabilities, you need to learn about the options before selecting the perfect one for your needs.
One thing to consider is whether you need an industrial sewing machine or regular sewing machine.
For sewing hobbyists who enjoy making small projects for themselves or loved ones, a regular sewing machine will do just fine. But for those who are starting an in-home sewing business with mass production or leather goods, you’ll need an industrial sewing machine.
So, what is the best industrial sewing machine? The best industrial sewing machine lasts longer while sewing and over time, works on tough fabrics, has a quiet motor, fits in your space, and has accessories and capabilities that work for your specific sewing needs, such as a walking foot.
Industrial sewing machines can be intimidating when you first look at them, but they’re not as difficult as they seem. They have a lot of stellar qualities that make them invaluable for those who sew large quantities or with thick fabrics like leather.
In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to know before purchasing your first industrial sewing machine. Once you have one in your home, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to get one.
Industrial Sewing Machine Vs. Regular Sewing Machine
The biggest difference between industrial sewing machines and regular sewing machines is the intended use.
Regular sewing machines are intended to be used for simple fabrics like cotton to create simple projects such as a clothing item, blanket, pillowcase, or other smaller projects.
These projects are usually made one at a time and only use the sewing machine for a few hours per day, if that.
Industrial sewing machines are intended to be used for heavy-duty, consistent projects that use the machine all day long. They’re designed to work for thick and tough fabrics, such as leather.
Depending on the machine, you can even sew through multiple layers of fabric at a time – not just two, but even four or five. Their intended uses are what drive the design and manufacturing of each type of machine.
Regular sewing machines have smaller motors designed to handle those small, simple projects. Industrial sewing machines have large, powerful motors designed to run all day long.
Uses For Industrial Sewing Machine At Home
Generally, people who purchase industrial sewing machines to use at home work in the textile or fashion industry.
This doesn’t have to mean you’re a fashion designer. It can be as simple as running an online retail shop for clothes, handbags, clothing accessories, blankets, pillowcases, or any other sewn fabric materials.
The most popular use for industrial machines at home is for leather.
Leather is one of the most difficult fabrics to sew because it’s so thick and tough. Regular needles won’t penetrate, and if you try to sew leather on a regular sewing machine, you’ll likely break your machine.
People who make and sell leather goods such as wallets, handbags, gun holsters, etc. need industrial sewing machines at home to make all of these products.
As we mentioned, even if you don’t work with leather, industrial sewing machines are perfect for anyone running an in-home sewing business.
If you need to make large quantities of cotton pillowcases every day, you need to have an industrial sewing machine that can handle the consistent work that takes.
The Top 5 Qualities Of Industrial Sewing Machines
Below are the top 5 qualities to look for when purchasing an industrial sewing machine.
There is no one machine that works perfectly for everyone, but there are certain machines that are higher quality with universal applications.
The list below reflects some of those universal top characteristics to look for.
1. Lasts Longer
Industrial machines are built with longevity in two ways: they can run for a longer period of time for one sewing session, and they maintain their quality and durability for decades.
While regular sewing machines may begin to overheat when used for longer than a few hours at a time, industrial sewing machines are made for that. They can be used for 8 hours and still run like a dream.
This is ideal for those who have a lot of projects to complete in a short amount of time. To keep up with orders for an online business, you’ll need an industrial sewing machine.
They’re also built to last. While some regular sewing machines will likely start to break down or have issues after a few years, industrial sewing machines are made to last decades.
You may notice industrial sewing machines have an older look. It’s probably because that machine has been around for quite some time, still sewing perfect seams every time!
2. Works On Tough Fabrics
Working with leather is one of the primary reasons sewists who work at home purchase an industrial sewing machine.
Although they can work with many other tough fabrics, leather is the main tough fabric everyone uses as the standard for sewing ability.
Industrial sewing machines are all built to work on tough, thick fabrics, so if your machine is struggling to work with leather, that’s a good indication you purchased a lower quality machine.
All of the best industrial sewing machines can sew through leather no problem. They have a larger motor, a stronger build, and are ready to tackle the heaviest and thickest fabrics you can find.
3. Quiet Motor
Although the motors in industrial sewing machines are larger and stronger, the best industrial sewing machines will have motors that are also quiet during operation.
It can be annoying or problematic if your sewing machine is so loud while you’re working that you can’t hear anything else.
If you work from home, this amount of noise can disturb others in the home or prevent you from hearing someone who needs your attention.
There are plenty of industrial sewing machines on the market that have quieter motors. When you’re looking over your options and determining which one to get, look for one that advertises its quiet operation as a main feature.
4. Fits In Your Space
One of the main drawbacks to industrial sewing machines, and often a barrier to people purchasing one, is that they’re large.
Many industrial sewing machines require a large table for proper assembly, and these tables are hard to fit in smaller craft rooms at home.
As you review the different industrial sewing machines, you’ll want to pay close attention to the dimensions of not only the machine, but the table it may come with.
If you have the space to fit a larger table and machine, great! You can choose your machine simply based on which one works the best for your projects and not just on what will fit in your room.
For others, though, picking the right industrial sewing machine means picking one that fits.
There are smaller, portable options for industrial sewing machines available. If you’re limited on space, try looking for one of those machines instead of the larger ones with a table.
The important thing is just that it fits in the space you have set aside for it, however small or large that space may be.
5. Right Accessories And Capabilities (Such As Walking Foot)
While there are certain qualities that all industrial sewing machines will have, such as having a larger motor, there are still many other variables and different types of industrial sewing machines.
It’s important that you learn all the different capabilities and accessories you can have in an industrial sewing machine and choose the one that fits your projects.
For example, some industrial sewing machines have a high foot capability. This means the presser foot can be raised to allow for stacks of fabric to be sewn together.
There are also different types of industrial sewing machine bed designs, such as flatbed, cylinder bed, post-bed, and feed-off-the-arm styles.
Each of these has their own pros and cons as they’re designed to work for specific types of projects. Another variable is the walking foot. This means that your presser foot will come up and down as it sews, which is ideal for working with leather.
Consider what you’re going to use the machine for, then choose the industrial sewing machine that has the right capabilities and accessories for your intended use.
The 7 Best Industrial Sewing Machines
Below is our list of the top 7 best industrial sewing machines. You may notice that many of them are Juki brand. Juki is one of the top manufacturers for industrial sewing machines, and their products are highly recommended.
Industrial sewing machines can be extremely expensive, and if you’re just starting out, this kind of investment may not be possible. If this sounds like your financial situation, we also included some heavy-duty sewing machines in this list.
While they don’t fall under the category of industrial sewing machines, they’ll still run better and work on tougher fabrics than regular sewing machines.
Rank | Product | Type of Sewing Machine |
---|---|---|
1. | Juki Lockstitch Sewing Machine | Lockstitch sewing machine |
2. | Juki Lockstitch Servo Motor + Table Stand | Lockstitch sewing machine |
3. | Juki LockStitch Industrial Sewing Machine | Lockstitch sewing machine |
4. | Juki 1-Needle, Lockstitch, Portable Sewing Machine | Small industrial sewing machine |
5. | Consew Walking Foot Industrial Sewing Machine | Walking foot sewing machine |
6. | Janome Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine | Regular industrial sewing machine |
7. | SINGER Heavy Duty Sewing Machine With Included Accessory Kit | Heavy duty industrial sewing machine |
1. Juki Lockstitch Sewing Machine
Sewing machine companies increase the number of their machine with each new model, so as you can imagine the Juki DDL-8700 is one of their top machines.
The Juki DDL-8700 will come with the machine, motor, chair, and table to use it on. This Juki machine is a lockstitch sewing machine and does not have a walking foot.
While you’ll have to assemble it yourself, it can be fairly easy to do with the help of some YouTube tutorials.
Check out Just The Good Bits’ video tutorial for this specific machine and table.
2. Juki Lockstitch Servo Motor + Table Stand
The Juki DDL-8100 industrial sewing machine, as you can imagine, is comparable to the Juki DDL-8700 at a slightly slower price.
You’ll still get the machine along with the motor, table stand, and even and LED lamp.
It’s a slightly older model than the Juki DDL-8700, but it looks similar and will operate close to the newer model.
You’ll still get the same great stitch speed and durability whether you choose the newer Juki DDL-8700 or this older Juki DDL-8100.
The Juki DDL-8100 is also a lockstitch machine and does not come with a walking presser foot.
3. Juki LockStitch Industrial Sewing Machine
Another great Juki model is the Juki DDL-5550. Just as with the first two options, this industrial sewing machine will come with the machine, motor, table, and chair to work on, as well as a lamp for better visuals.
This is another older model, but it runs beautifully. Remember that industrial sewing machines are built to last decades, so even if it’s a model that came out a few years earlier, it’s still a great purchase.
This is another lockstitch machine without a walking presser foot, but it’s a great option for those who need an industrial sewing machine without a walking foot.
4. Juki 1-Needle, Lockstitch, Portable Sewing Machine
The Juki TL-2010Q is a little different because it’s smaller, portable, and has an automatic thread trimmer.
You can instantly tell from the picture that this Juki industrial sewing machine is not like the others. For those who have limited workspace and can’t get a large industrial sewing machine with a table, this portable model is ideal for you.
Still with the Juki name, this small industrial sewing machine packs a lot of power and holds a high reputation.
Although it looks small compared to other industrial sewing machines, it’s still larger than regular sewing machines and will provide the space you need to complete your projects.
5. Consew Walking Foot Industrial Sewing Machine
The first model on our list not by Juki, the Consew 206RB-5 is our only walking foot machine.
If you’re looking for a high-quality industrial sewing machine with a walking foot, this is the machine for you.
It will come with the machine, table, and motor so you have everything you need to get set up.
This machine also has a high foot lift, so you’ll be able to fit several layers or extra thick material through it with no problem.
6. Janome Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine
Janome is a well-known brand in the world of regular sewing machines, and their heavy-duty model is ideal for those looking to do some industrial sewing for an affordable price.
The Janome HD1000 model has tons of built-in stitches, lots of accessories, and a built-in automatic needle threader.
If you need to do a more consistent and large-scale amount of sewing in a small space for a more affordable price, this sewing machine is perfect for you.
7. SINGER Heavy Duty Sewing Machine With Included Accessory Kit
A more affordable alternative to the Janome, the Singer Heavy Duty is another fantastic heavy-duty sewing machine made by one of the leading brands of regular sewing machines.
You can purchase this machine with an extension table or with the accessory kit, whichever would be best for your projects.
If you’re just starting out into the world of heavy-duty or industrial sewing, this Singer machine is perfect for you. It’s a great beginning model to get you started and help you get used to this type of sewing machine.
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