Don’t give up on reading this article just because you don’t own a sewing factory. “Industrial” in “industrial sewing machine” doesn’t refer to your business’s scale. It simply refers to the power, performance, and longevity.
So, what exactly is an industrial sewing machine?
They are the choice of professional sewers who need to do large amounts of work in short time periods. They will handle many different materials and work for hours without breaking a sweat. The engine won’t overheat and the stitch will be as beautiful as ever.
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Do You Need to Buy an Industrial Sewing Machine?
Truth is, not every sewer will need it. If you’re a novice, an ordinary, entry-level home machine will probably do. Even more, some sewers will never need an industrial workhorse.
However, if you plan on making this a full-time job, investing in a best industrial sewing machine could be a decisive moment. However great or small the requirements, it will meet them better. When it comes to delivering large batches of work, productivity can make or break your project. Take a look at a few decisive advantages:
- Efficiency. Let’s say you make quilts for a living. A powerful, fast and tireless machine could multiply the number of finished products that are ready to hit the market
- Far greater quality of the stitch. Fine, precise, even and elegant stitches
- Better performance and durability. Sturdy construction and powerful engine enable them to work for hours without the engine overheating. With a little bit of proper maintenance, one of these machines could be your lifetime ally
- Stability. They are made of metal and may contain some small plastic details. Typically, they are way heavier than domestic machines and the engine is sitting inside the table, reducing vibrations significantly
And if you think this must be too expensive, you’re in for a surprise. Many domestic models cost way over $1,000 – which is more than you need for a basic industrial machine. So, price doesn’t have to be an issue when choosing the top industrial sewing machine.
True enough, this contraption is bulky and will require a special portion of your apartment. You can’t just move it around like a domestic machine or a laptop. You have to allocate a room for it, install it and probably let it dwell there for the rest of time.
So, to sum it up – maybe you don’t need one right now. Maybe you’ll never need it. But if you opt for it, it will make your life so much easier.
How to Choose the Best Machine?
Before making the purchase, you need to be aware of your exact purpose. What you might see as a downside can turn out to be an advantage for some other users, depending on their needs and circumstances.
For example, an extremely heavy machine can be an issue when you’re trying to mount it to your home’s second floor. But the heaviness itself will account for stability and zero level of vibrations.
An educated purchase decision would have to weigh in these factors:
- Velocity – extremely important when the machine is your primary breadwinner. The maximum number of stitches per minute ranges between 1,000 and 5,000 or more stitches per minute – which is significantly higher than with domestic ones.
- Types of fabrics you work with – even though these machines can normally handle different types of materials, they still vary in preferences. Some of them will excel in handling light or medium fabric and are thus best suited to tailors. Others are best for canvas, leather and other rough or thick materials – and can be used for upholstery, bags, car seats.
- Engine type. There are servo and clutch motors, and a huge difference between them – noise. If you work at home, keep in mind that servo engine is less noisy since it only spins while working, which can be a huge pro in a small apartment. But your choice will also depend on the kind of materials – if you work with leather, clutch motor will do a much better job.
- Type of the bed. This has to do with dimensions of your product and accessibility of areas you’re sewing, as well as materials. Flat-bed machines resemble the domestic ones in design and feature spacious working area, ideal for big materials and products. Post-bed ones have a vertical column under the needle instead of a flat working area, and are therefore great for working with bags, shoes, gloves and such. Cylinder-bed type has a horizontal column that works as a cylinder – very convenient for sleeves, cuffs, gloves, shoes. Finally, the rarest type is Feed-Off-The-Arm machine. It also has a horizontal cylinder and is best for seaming odd shapes as well as shoulders and sleeves.
- Energy consumption. These machines devour large amounts of electricity, but recent years have seen some eco-friendly models rolling out. Also keep in mind that servo motors save up to 90% more power than their clutch counterparts.
JUKI DDL-8700-Servo Industrial Straight Stitch Sewing Machine
Its maximum speed climbs up to 5,500 stitches per minute, making it great for light and medium fabrics. Servo motor makes it quiet and great for home.
- Servo motor makes it quiet
- Speed controllable
- There is more than enough room between the arm and the needle, allowing for comfortable sewing
- Auto-lubrication, so you don’t have to think about oiling all the time
- Knee-operated foot lift
- Complicated setup if yours doesn’t arrive assembled
- Can’t be used with leather or canvas.
Brother PQ1500SL Quilting and Sewing Machine
If your primary occupation is quilting, this model is right for you. It’s lightweight for an industrial machine. Features a built-in needle threader and a push-button automatic thread trimmer, with 4 feed dog settings and up to 1,500 stitches per minute.
- Pin feed makes it great for free motion quilting
- Affordable
- Quiet
- Has oil holes on the side so you don’t have to take it apart for oiling
- Some customers find the needle threader hard to use and the bobbin hardly accessible
JUKI TL-2000Qi Sewing and Quilting Machine
This all-in-one beauty includes LED lights, one pedal operation, automatic needle threader, and an extension table. Plus, it comes with a regular foot, free motion quilting foot, and a walking foot.
- Versatility – it’s great for sewing, quilting and doing various home decor projects
- Very quiet
- Good foot control
- Might be difficult to set up properly if you’re not an experienced sewer
Singer Studio S16 Straight Stitch Sewing and Quilting Machine
With speed up to 1,600 stitches per minute, this all-in-one machine features perfectly aligned needle bar with programmable needle that you can set to freeze when it’s up or down. Adjustable foot presser so you can easily shift different types of fabric. Stitch quality is stable regardless of the fabric type.
- Extra large sewing space
- Independent bobbin winding system so you can wind the bobbin without unthreading
- No walking foot included
- Not the best choice for beginners
JUKI DDL-5550 Industrial Straight Stitch Sewing Machine
Just like its DDL-8700 cousin, it has speed up to 5,500 stitches per minute. It is perfect for sewing light to medium weight fabrics, and comes with a built-in bobbin winder. It’s worth noting that JUKI is the world leader in this field, and this particular model is made in Japan.
- Adjustable speed motor
- Very sturdy
- With proper setup, it can handle thick materials too, such as leather and denim
- Very heavy
Brother Designio DZ1500F Straight Stitch Sewing Machine
The feature that sets this model apart from all mentioned above is the Needle Felting Attachment Package, allowing you to create cute 3D objects from wool. Other features include 6 sewing feet, a fabric separator, extra-large extension table, automatic thread cutter, and a protective case.
- Needle felting feature
- Dual thread stand
- Handles and many layers of fabric without any issues
- Large harp area.
- Not suitable for leather
- Occasionally, it may tear the thread down
Conclusion
If you have a favorite of your own that is not included in this selection, feel free to reach out to us and we can feature it here if it is a good fit!
