Are you in search of a new heavy-duty sewing machine? Do you need one for quilting, or for essential sewing of garments and home projects? Don’t buy one just yet. Read this article first
In this buying guide for heavy-duty (semi-professional) sewing machines, I’ve gathered the best heavy duty sewing machines in the market today from the best sewing machine companies that are the most reliable in the business. I’ll also talk about what you need to consider when buying one so you won’t end up regretting your purchase and wasting your hard-earned money.
So without further adieu, let’s dive straight into the reviews of the machines.
Review : Janome HD1000 Black Edition
►Made of Cast Aluminum. One of the best heavy-duty sewing machines for the money. A classic!
Features :
- 14 Stitches including a 4-Step Buttonhole
- Free Accessories including 4 Presser Feet and Hard Cover
- Heavy Duty Aluminum Outer Body
- Built-In Needle Threader
- Drop Feed for Free Motion Sewing
- Front Loading Vertical Oscillating Hook Bobbin
- Manual Thread Tension Control and Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
OVERVIEW —
The Janome HD1000 is one of the most best-selling heavy-duty sewing machines in the market for entry-level sewing machines. It’s pretty basic, with 14 built-in stitches and a 4-step buttonhole. The first version of this machine was made in white, but the company also released a black version, which is, in my opinion, better looking than its original white counterpart. The black edition simply looks sleeker, cleaner, and for some reason, it looks sturdier.
This machine is one of the most durable and sturdiest heavy-duty sewing machines on the market. Its body is made of metal frame and metal components, with the exterior being made of plastic. It’s a mechanical sewing machine, which means it operates with a foot pedal, with the tension, and stitch selection customized through manual dials.
Its stitches per minute, or speed, is at 840 spm, which is quite fast considering it’s a machine made for home use. It comes with all the needed features you would want for a basic, at-home sewing machine, such as having basic stitches, a number of decorative stitches with a serging stitch, and the 4-step buttonhole.
The bobbin is top-loading, it comes with 3 presser feet accessories, and with a dust cover.
The Good
The Janome HD1000 Black Edition is a must for every beginner or even advanced sewer. If you’re looking for a sturdy, strong, and powerful machine that can offer straight stitches, zigzag, or a simple serging stitch, this is the machine for you. It can sew almost any kind of fabric, even layers of denim.
The stitch consistency and quality don’t change with thicker fabrics, even when you’re sewing a piece of clothing with different layers of fabric.
The Bad
Many sewing machines today have a top drop-in bobbin because it’s more convenient. The Janome HD1000 features a front-loading bobbin, where you have to remove the accessory storage to reach it. It may be convenient for some people who are used to a top drop-in bobbin.
The machine also features a 4-step buttonhole, which is a feature most older sewing machines have. Newer versions today have an easy and fast 1-step buttonhole.
Final Thoughts / Janome HD1000
The Janome HD1000 Black Edition is a beautiful and sturdy machine that features everything you need to start sewing or to replace an old portable sewing machine at home. It is sturdy and powerful and can stitch through multiple layers of heavy fabric, allowing you to stitch on thick denim, fabrics with batting such as quilts, and other kinds of heavy fabrics.
If you’re looking to upgrade to a heavy-duty sewing machine that has everything you need, easy to operate, and sturdy enough to be used every day, this is the machine for you.
Best Heavy-Duty Sewing Machines
Review : Janome HD3000
Designed for beginners. Heavy duty aluminum body. 18 Stitches
While the HD1000 was perfect on its own, the people behind Janome wanted to take the model a step further. This time, they designed the HD3000 with 18 built-in stitches and a 1-step buttonhole.
It features the very same aluminum metal frame, comes in white, and offers a few changes that make this machine even more convenient and simple to use.
It has a top drop-in bobbin, more accessories, and comes with an 860 spm. It remains a mechanical sewing machine that operates with a foot pedal, with tension and stitch selection customized through a manual dial.
The Good
It’s a step further than the HD1000 with 4 more built-in stitches. It’s built to last, sturdy, and durable with the metal frame and metal components. It also comes with a hard case, which is perfect for carrying around when you travel or when you need to go to sewing class. It is simple to use, with threading very simple to do, and it stitches consistently over thick layers of fabric.
The Bad
It’s quite heavier than the HD1000. At 18 lbs., it’s not very easy to carry around. I’ve also read that some users think the light that illuminates the workspace is a little dim.
Final Thoughts / Janome HD3000
The Janome HD3000 is an upgraded version of the HD1000, with more features, a top drop-in bobbin, and a hard case for ease of carrying and storage. Overall, it’s another basic sewing machine that does a great job at offering features that can make you create garments, home projects, and other pieces of items with fabric.
Janome HD1000 and Janome HD3000: What’s The Difference?
Both machines are quite similar with only a few differences in their features. Let’s take a closer look by comparing the different features
Stitches Per Minute
Both machines are heavy-duty, which means they’re faster than the regular domestic sewing machine. HD1000 features an 840spm, while the HD3000 features an 860spm, which is slightly faster than the former.
Built-In Stitches
The HD1000 has 14 built-in stitches plus a 4-step button-hole, while the HD3000 features 18 built-in stitches with a 1-step buttonhole. Of course, the more stitches a machine has, the better, because you are able to sew different kinds of stitches on fabric. But the one thing that makes the HD3000 really stand out in terms of the stitches is its one-step built-in buttonhole.
It makes so much difference in terms of ease of use and time-saved. With the HD1000, you’d have to place the dial on one of the buttonhole stitches, then once that’s done, change the dial to another stitch, which may be the upper horizontal stitch, then change it again to another stitch, which can be the vertical stitch on one side of the buttonhole. Having the one-step buttonhole really took the HD3000 to another level.
Weight
There’s not much difference. The HD1000 is at 16.8 while the HD3000 is at 18 lbs. However, the HD1000 only comes with a dust cover, while the HD3000 comes with a hard case, making it easy to store and move around.
Bobbin Area
The HD1000 features a front-loading bobbin while the HD3000 features a top drop-in bobbin. I won’t say one is better than the other because personally, I prefer the front-loading bobbin, simply because I’m used to it. I have never used a top drop-in bobbin before, and I’ve seen a lot of these machines in second-hand stores where the cover for the bobbin area is missing. I’m used to sewing on an industrial sewing machine, too, which is front-loading, so maybe that’s why I prefer it.
But for those who want to see the amount of thread on the bobbin to gauge whether or not it has enough to continue sewing, the HD3000 may be the better option.
Accessories
The HD1000 comes with 3 presser foot accessories, while the HD3000 includes 7.
Final Thoughts / Janome HD3000
I would say that overall, the HD3000 is the better option but the Janome HD3000 Black Edition is better-looking. If you want a simple, no-fuss, and basic heavy-duty sewing machine that does it all, either of these two machines is perfect for your needs.
Review : Brother ST150 DH
Let’s now do a review on a strong and tough computerized heavy-duty sewing machine, the Brother ST150 DH. Unlike the Janome HD1000 and HD3000, this machine operates through a computerized system. It features an LCD display where you can select your stitches as well as the width and length of your stitch.
The Brother ST150 DH was designed for sewers who want to be able to use a machine for essential sewing such as mending, garment construction, and the like, but also for decorative embroidery. It comes with 50 built-in stitches with 5 auto-size buttonholes You can choose from different basic stitches, decorative stitches, serging stitches, and with the free-motion presser foot, you can do simple embroidery designs, even monogramming is possible.
The buttonholes are one-step and auto-sized, so all you have to do is program the style, and the machine will stitch the whole buttonhole by itself.
It also comes with several presser feet, such as walking, buttonhole, zipper, blind stitch, monogramming, overcasting, and more. More features include 7-pointed feed dogs, allowing you to sew on different kinds of fabric smoothly, such as denim or canvas, and lightweight fabrics such as silk, chiffon, or charmeuse without a problem.
It runs on 850 stitches per minute, allows free-arm sewing, and features a super-bright LED light to illuminate the workspace.
The Good
I love the 50 built-in stitches of this machine. It features all the basic stitches plus a few choices for serging styles. I do have another machine for serging purposes only but most of the time, I would have to set it up to change the color of the thread. It is a 4-thread serger, which means I have to use 4 spools of thread to change the thread color. With this machine, you can choose from a couple of different serging stitches and you’re good to go.
I also love the fact that it has 5 styles of buttonholes, allowing you to get more creative with shirt dresses, men’s shirts, and even the closure of pants and shorts.
It’s quite fast at 850 spm and for a computerized machine, I think it’s powerful to work on thicker fabrics. It’s easy to use, too, with the LCD display and arrows on the needle threading guide. I also love the fact that you can use the machine with a manual foot pedal. There’s a button to turn on the stitching but if you want a more manual operation, you can use the foot pedal, as well.
The Bad
If you’re always using a mechanical sewing machine, this might not be easy for you to use. Switching to a computerized machine requires patience as you would need to really understand how to operate it. The timing of the start of your stitches and where you end your sewing needs to be practiced.
One feature that’s lacking in this machine is the thread cutter. This machine does not have it, and I don’t know why really, when all the portable and heavy-duty sewing machines I’ve used have a built-in thread cutter.
Final Thoughts / Brother ST150 DH
The Brother ST150 DH is a great introduction to a computerized heavy-duty sewing machine. It comes with 50 built-in stitches that provide plenty of opportunities for you to get creative. I love the act that you can use a foot pedal with this machine, making it easier to switch to a computerized machine if you’re used to using a mechanical one.
For basic sewing of essentials, to decorative, to embroidery, the Brother ST150 DH is perfect for someone who wants to use a computerized machine that’s easy to use, stitches on tough and soft fabrics, and provides embroidery features.
Review : Singer Quantum Stylist 9960
Built for the serious crafter, the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 features everything you need to personalize any sewing project. This can include pillowcases with customized monograms, hand towels with pretty trimming designs, and dresses with unique buttonhole styles. This machine will work wonders in terms of style and details.
One of its most standout features is its 600 built-in stitches. From straight lines to zigzag stitches, to flower and leaf designs, it has it all. It even presents 13 different buttonhole styles which the machine stitches automatically. All you have to do is press the foot pedal and the machine does all the work. I found this feature incredibly amazing – I never knew a home sewing machine could have this many stitch styles. It truly is a powerhouse of designs and styles that can give you so many options to get creative or make things that you never thought you could actually make with a home sewing machine.
Among its other features include 18 presser foot accessories, an extension table for quilting projects, an LCD screen to preview the stitches, automatic buttons, 5 fonts for lettering, speed control, and a top drop-in bobbin. These other features make creating so much easier to do with this machine.
The Good
The Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 is ideal for those who want to customize and personalize projects. It is recommended for sewing aficionados who know what they’re doing. The machine is computerized and automated, helping you save time and making it easy for you to add plenty of details to any sewing project. If I had more time to learn and study this machine, I would definitely get it, simply for the fact that I believe I could do so much with this machine.
In terms of operations, it offers convenience and simplicity. The top drop-in bobbin feature is easy to operate and gives you a clear view of how much thread is left in the bobbin. A stitch sequencing memory feature also helps you continue a stitch after pausing or stopping. The possibilities for design and details are endless with this machine and for someone who loves customizing sewing projects, this is a treasure trove of creative opportunities.
The Bad
For the beginner sewer or quilter, this machine might be too complicated. Looking at the control panel itself makes the machine look overwhelming. It does need some time to get used to and there’s a steep learning curve to using this machine. Watching the manual online is helpful but it will require you to do some heavy trial and error to really take advantage of the machine’s features.
If I were to buy this machine for myself, I would need to set aside a few days or even weeks to really be able to learn all its features, all the available designs, and all the great things I could do with it.
Nevertheless, once you master using this machine and its many features, you will have the time of your life working with its endless possibilities for sewing home projects, clothing, and fabric crafts.
Final Thoughts / Quantum Stylist 60
The Quantum Stylist 60 is an incredible machine with everything you need for a creative sewing pursuit. It comes with 600 built-in stitches that can take you weeks to learn and fully take advantage of, but I believe once you master using this machine, you will definitely enjoy its many possibilities.
It’s computerized, easy to program, and built with a metal frame for durability. It’s not so ideal for beginner sewers, though, as it has too many features for someone who’s still learning to sew. But, if you’re already on your way to begin an intermediate or advanced sewer and you love applying embroidery and embellishments on home decor, clothes, or bags, you definitely have to get this machine for yourself.
Review : Juki TL-2000Qi
Best semi-industrial sewing machine. In-between heavy-duty & industrial
The Juki TL-2000Qi is a semi-industrial sewing machine designed to use at home. It is made entirely of aluminum, which means it’s super durable, strong, and sturdy. It only has one stitch, which is a straight stitch, perfect for quilting and for making products that don’t require a lot of details or embellishments.
Why semi-industrial, you may ask? Well, if you’ve worked on a Juki industrial machine, or have seen one, you know how large, heavy, and bulky it is with its large motor, wheel, and expansive table. The Juki TL-20001Qi looks like the body of an industrial machine but without the table and the large motor under it. It’s perfectly made for home use, while also giving you a powerful and sturdy machine that can do the work.
It comes with a flatbed extension table though, so it makes your workspace even bigger if you intend to use it. Nevertheless, if you don’t use the table, the machine has a large 9″ x 7″ throat plate, so the workspace is still pretty big without it.
It features a 1500 spm speed, making it twice as fast as most heavy-duty sewing machines we’ve reviewed so far. It’s simple, straightforward, and works like a workhorse.
The Good
The Juki TL-2000Qi is a great semi-industrial machine that works fast and works well. It only has one stitch, which is straight and does wonders in sewing both heavy and lightweight fabrics. What I like about this machine is that it has the look and features of an industrial machine, but has the weight and convenient features of a portable machine.
For example, the bobbin winder is found on the top, instead of the side, which is typical for industrial machines. Another feature is the knee lever, which you can attach to the machine. Most home-use sewing machines don’t have a knee lever to raise the foot up and down. The machine also has a feed dog adjustment, allowing you to raise it or lower it for free-motion sewing.
But most of all, I love the simplicity of this machine. There are no bells and whistles. It’s simple and straightforward. It’s easy to use and super sturdy, making it the only machine you will ever need if all you want from a machine is a straight stitch.
The Bad
If you’re a beginner sewer who wants to sew garments, this is not for you. It doesn’t have a serging or zigzag stitch to finish your seams, it doesn’t have a buttonholer to create buttonholes on shirts and shirt dresses, and it stitches really fast.
Final Thoughts / Juki TL-2000Qi
The Juki TL-2000Qi is a great machine for someone who’s looking for a durable, powerful, and straightforward straight stitch machine. It’s great for quilters and for those who make fabric products that don’t require a lot of details or embellishments.
If you’re only sewing for fun or for attending sewing class, this is not for you. For one, it only has one stitch and it’s also heavier than most home-use sewing machines.
Review : Singer Heavy Duty 4411
Singer is one of the oldest established sewing machine companies in the world and it’s a reliable company that launches sturdy and durable machines that last for many years. The Singer Heavy Duty 4411 is no exception. It is a heavy-duty home-use sewing machine with everything you need to sew clothes, home projects, and a few embellishment details.
It comes in a beautiful color combination, with grey, light grey, and red accents. It has a boxy look and looks sturdy and durable. Despite being made of a metal interior and plastic casing, it’s incredibly lightweight compared to the other heavy-duty sewing machines we’ve reviewed. At only 14 pounds, this machine is easy to move around.
It comes with 11 built-in stitches that do the job. There are basic stitches and a few zigzag stitches, plus a 4-step buttonhole. The motor is 50% more powerful than Singers’ regular domestic sewing machines, with the 4411 running at 1100 SPM at its maximum speed.
It is a mechanical sewing machine that operates with a foot pedal, and all the features, such as the stitch selector, tension, and other features are adjusted with a manual dial. It’s simple, easy to use, and does a good job at creating strong, consistent, and beautiful stitches on any kind of fabric, whether it’s leather, denim, cotton, linen, or silk.
The Good
This is a very good basic sewing machine to use at home. If you sew home projects such as pillowcases or blankets, or garments, or you need a machine for mending clothes and other fabrics at home, this is the machine that works.
It’s simple to use, with no bells and whistles, and it’s pretty straightforward. What’s so great about this machine is that it will last for many years to come. It’s metal framed and the fact that it’s a Singer brand tells you you’ve got a durable machine that lasts for a long time.
The Bad
It doesn’t have an automatic thread cutter, which most new sewing machines have today. You will have to cut the thread yourself once you’re done sewing. It’s not a big deal, though, but if you’re in a hurry, that few seconds of cutting thread will make a difference especially if you offer made-to-order sewing jobs with a tight deadline.
Final Thoughts / Singer Heavy Duty 4411
Overall, the Singer Heavy Duty 4411 is a reliable, strong, sturdy, and basic sewing machine that can do it all. You can make any fabric product with this machine because it can stitch any kind of fabric, you can add in a few touches with its zigzag stitches, and it works fast at 1,100 stitches per minute.
If you’re looking for a machine that has all the basic features you need for sewing simple clothes and home decor, and a machine that lasts for many years, the Singer Heavy Duty 4411 is the one for you.
Review : Singer Heavy Duty 4452
I have been eyeing this machine for years. There’s something about the way it looks that really attracts me to it, and I’ve seen many of my friends who regularly sew buy this machine for their sewing projects, so I’ve really had my eye on this machine for quite some time.
The Singer Heavy Duty 4452 is a portable heavy-duty sewing machine that has everything you need to make any sewing project – from casual dresses to gowns, to home decor, quilts, fabric bags – just about anything.
It features 32 built-in stitches, with 6 being basic, 7 stitches for stretch fabrics, 18 decorative stitches, and a one-step buttonhole stitch. One of the great things about this machine is its speed and powerful motor. In its full speed, you can enjoy 1,100 spm, or stitches per minute, which is 50% faster than most domestic sewing machines. It can also stitch on thicker fabrics such as denim and canvas.
It’s made of a metal frame with an outer plastic exterior. What attracted me at first to this machine is definitely its color combination. The whole machine comes in a cool grey shade with touches of red and a very light grey shade on the bedplate. There’s something very industrial about it with just the right amount of kitsch with the red “S” sign and “Singer” plastered on the arm of the machine.
Aesthetics aside, it’s designed to be a workhorse for both a beginner and an experienced sewer. It has everything you would need to complete any sewing project and comes with complete accessories that can help you with any creative sewing work.
It’s a mechanical machine, which means the controls are in dial form, and operating the machine is available through a foot pedal. It’s perfect for anyone who’s used to a manual sewing machine who wants to elevate but doesn’t want to switch to a digital or computerized home sewing machine.
Now that you know its most important features, let’s discuss the great things about the Singer Heavy Duty 4452 and the things that are not so great about it.
The Good
The Singer Heavy Duty 4452 is a great machine for both the beginner sewer and the more advanced sewing aficionado. It has plenty of features that make it fun to use, such as having 18 decorative stitches, a drop feed for free-motion sewing, a powerful motor, and being faster than most domestic sewing machines.
It’s designed to be heavy-duty but it’s surprisingly light at 14 lbs. in weight. It’s double the weight of my domestic sewing machine, which is lightweight and easy to carry or move around. But still, for something that’s marketed as heavy-duty, it’s not as heavy as I would’ve thought.
I especially love the one-step buttonhole. All you have to do is use the buttonhole foot, set it up, and that’s it. Most domestic sewing machines have a 4-step buttonhole so this machine will definitely save you time in this department.
The Bad
Though I am a major fan of this machine, there are some caveats that I want to mention. I fell in love with this machine because it looks “industrial.” What I mean by this is that it looks like a portable version of an industrial sewing machine, with its grey body and boxy aesthetics. But from what I’ve read about it, it’s far from being an industrial machine. Yes, it does stitch thicker fabrics, and yes, it’s faster than most machines at 1100 spm, but it doesn’t even come close to how an industrial sewing machine works, which can have an spm of 5500 in its full capacity.
Final Thoughts / Singer Heavy Duty 44552
The Singer Heavy Duty 44552 is a beautiful-looking machine that’s stronger and faster than most domestic sewing machines. It’s portable, though, almost twice as heavy as most domestic machines, but it can be moved from one part of the home to another with ease.
It’s packed with everything a beginner or advanced sewer would need, such as having 7 basic stitches and 18 decorative stitches, plus 7 for stretch fabrics, and let’s not forget the one-step buttonhole. It works on a foot pedal, it’s manual operated, and dials are used to select the stitch style, height, and width.
I would say this is a great choice for sewers who want a faster and stronger machine but are not ready to switch to, or don’t want the bulkiness or seriousness of an industrial machine.
Brother PQ1500SL — Best Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine for Quilting
The Brother PQ1500SL is built for the serious quilter. It is a straight stitch machine with a 1,500 spm, or stitches per minute speed. This means the machine is faster than your regular domestic sewing machine, helping serious quilters get their projects done fast.
When it comes to its features, it is most notable for its large sewing space. It features an extension table at 12″ x 18″ size, making it ideal for sewing blankets and large sewing projects such as curtains or table covers. When I use my domestic sewing machine to make a blanket, the fabric usually hangs off the side, so it takes me time to finish stitching the hems. This feature is definitely a time-saver and makes it so much easier to control where your stitches will go, just like in an industrial sewing machine.
Among its other features include an automatic needle threading system, 4 feed dog height adjustments, a foot pedal, 7 foot accessories, and a knee lift.
I want to talk about the 4 feed dog height adjustment because it serves a huge purpose. When you sew thick fabrics or sensitive fabrics like velvet, you would need to have a specific feed dog height to be able to sew properly.
The feed dog height adjustment allows you to do free-motion sewing, which makes free-hand sewing on the fabric possible. With the straight stitch, you can stitch different shapes or symbols on your quilt, such as a square, a heart, a circle, and just about any kind of shape using the straight stitches. When it comes to sewing velvet, this feature allows you to sew this material without making markings on the nap.
Now that we’ve discussed its general features, let’s discuss the great things about the Brother PQ1500SL and the things that are not so great about it.
The Good
The great thing about this machine is that it’s one of the best heavy-duty machines for quilting. It only has one stitch, which is straight, which means it’s really designed for quilting and making home projects that don’t require a lot of details.
The fact that it has a 1,500 spm means this machine is a workhorse. Though it’s meant to be used domestically, you can make a lot of quilts with this machine, with some users reporting finishing a quilt in just 4 hours.
The operation of the machine is with the use of a foot pedal, making it easy to control the speed. If you want to go fast, just step on the pedal full force. If you want to go slow, just step on the pedal gently – just like stepping on an accelerator of a car.
It’s fast, powerful, and spacious. What more can a serious quilter ask for?
The Bad
Like all things, there’s always a negative side to everything. While this machine works hard to meet a quilter’s needs, it doesn’t really have other features except for being a straight stitch machine. If you make more than just quilts, and you don’t have another machine at home, then this might not meet all your sewing needs.
It’s also on the expensive side, which means it’s not a machine you want to buy to just try it out. You must have a specific need for this machine to take full advantage of it.
Final Thoughts / Brother PQ1500SL
Serious quilters need a serious quilting machine, and the Brother PQ1500SL definitely fits the bill for a great quilting machine. It’s fast with 1500 spm, spacious with its large extension table, easy to use, and powerful enough to sew on any kind of fabric.
However, it does only have one stitch feature, which is straight, making it not the most ideal machine for someone whose sewing projects are varied, like me. I only make quilts or blankets occasionally so if I would buy this because my old machine is broken, it’s not enough to meet my sewing needs.
The Brother PR1500SL is highly recommended for serious quilters, and not so much for anyone who wants to make more than just a quilt unless you have other machines that can perform other sewing duties.
What’s the Difference Between a Regular Sewing Machine and a Heavy Duty Machine?
Regular sewing machines may look like some of the heavy-duty machines we’ve reviewed here but you need to understand the difference between the two so you know what to buy for your needs.
A regular sewing machine is a basic sewing machine that can have basic and decorative stitches but is made for home project purposes. These can include mending, sewing cotton garments, and linens or simple curtains. It has an spm or stitches per minute that ranges between 250 to 1000 spm, with most regular sewing machines operating at 650 spm. These machines are also meant to be used at most 2 hours every day, and not intended for whole day use.
A heavy-duty sewing machine, on the other hand, can also feature both basic and decorative stitches, but with a faster spm. The minimum speed for heavy-duty sewing machines is 800 spm, which is way faster than a regular sewing machine.
This difference in speed and power is the main difference between the two because a heavy duty’s sewing capacity is much more efficient. A heavy-duty sewing machine can also stitch on heavier fabrics, or multiple layers of fabric, whereas, a regular sewing machine cannot. You can basically sew any kind of fabric on a heavy-duty sewing machine, such as layers of denim, leather, upholstery, and the like. You can also use the machine all day and it will last for many years.
If you’re a serious sewer, dressmaker, or quilter, a heavy-duty sewing machine is what you need. However, if you’re building a garment factory or a small dressmaking business, you might need machines that do one specific job, such as an industrial machine for straight stitching, a machine for buttonholes, a different machine for serging, and a separate embroidery machine.
What To Look for When Buying a Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
We’ve talked about 8 different heavy-duty sewing machines and what makes them different than regular home-use machines. Now it’s time to help you choose which of these machines is the best choice for you.
The number one thing you need to ask yourself, however, before we talk about the tips for choosing the best one for you, is what do you need? Are you a beginner or serious quilter who wants a more serious machine for your quilting needs? Or maybe you’re a dressmaker whose orders are increasing and you need a machine that you can work with all day? Or maybe you’ve just enrolled in a sewing class with the intent of making a business out of fabric products?
Once you know what you need out of a heavy-duty sewing machine, then we can proceed with checking all the other factors to buying one. Here are the factors you need to consider:
Metal Construction
Metal is the best material for a sewing machine because it will last for years. It also won’t wobble if you’re sewing at full speed or when working with heavier fabrics. An all-metal body and casing are ideal but they can be heavy and expensive. An alternative choice would be to buy one that has a metal interior and plastic casing.
User Friendly
I cannot stress this enough. An expensive, amazing, and feature-rich machine is nothing if you can’t use it. A machine must be easy to use, with clear labels and buttons, dials, and instructions. A machine with not a lot of bells and whistles is the easiest to use. But, if you’re used to working on different kinds of machines, a more complicated model would be rewarding for you.
Powerful Motor
The reason why most people buy a heavy-duty sewing machine over a regular machine is its power and speed. The faster a machine is, the more work you can do, which is great if you’re buying a machine for business or as a regular hobby. The minimum spm for heavy-duty machines is at 800 spm but if you can go faster, such as 1500 spm, then the better.
Overall | Final Thoughts : What’s the best heavy-duty sewing machine for you?
A heavy-duty sewing machine is an investment. Whether you’re just beginning to fall in love with sewing or you’ve been making clothes and home projects for decades, there’s nothing sweeter than buying a new sewing machine with features you’ve never worked with before.
Sometimes, when I see a new heavy-duty machine in the market, my initial instinct is always to buy one. But before I do, I always have to read reviews, do my research on its features and actual user testimonials, and of course, check my budget, to see if it’s worth it. And of course, I would also have to ask myself if I really need a new one.
These heavy-duty sewing machines are some of the best in the market and you can’t go wrong with any of these options. Just remember to figure out what you need out of the machine, and choose accordingly for the best heavy duty sewing machine.
