Do you need an industrial sewing machine? Take a good look in your basement and perhaps you already know the answer. Down there under the dusty covers and dark shadows, there are the many wounded soldiers of your exploits and garage sales. Unless you are an antique dealer or a collector, why would you want to clutter your home with any more unused machinery? Some women buy sewing machines like they buy jeans. Don't believe me?
Run to your nail salon and ask around. You will find that the average women have 6 pairs of jeans, some will have more. I am guilty of this, at one point of my life, I had 12 pairs of jeans and 6 sewing machines (1 Singer, 1 Toyota, 1 Juki, 1 Janome, and 2 sergers..). I'm not sure if you know, but Toyota actually does make sewing machines –as well as cars, trucks and just about everything else. Then I started to ask myself –what possessed me to accumulate so many pairs of jeans and this amount of sewing machines?
The answer was quite simple, I was not entirely satisfied with the product. I kept looking for a pair of jeans that would look good and are comfortable, and I kept buying cheap ones in the hope that one day I will find the one. I did find a couple, but they never lasted more than a year, and I was left once again hunting for the perfect pair. Until one day I had to move to a tropical place. My needs changed and with it the need for 12 pairs of jeans. If I take 40 dollars and multiply it by 12, I have enough to buy a pair that is made with the best design and shaping capabilities.
Like the need for a better pair of jeans, our need for a reliable sewing machine arrives in the shape of the mountains of projects forgotten and put aside because we were not happy with the look of the buttonhole or the zigzag doesn't work anymore or the machine is skipping stitches when sewing bulky items, etc. etc. Notice how after a marathon of sewing, your domestic sewing machine is never quite the same? This is because home sewing machines are not meant to be used for an extended period of time. Do you want a sewing machine that can do everything? Everything? Really..? What does that even mean? Can it attach lining on its own while playing Bach in the background? There is no such thing as a perfect sewing machine that does everything. With time I have learned that 95 percent of the stitches I will never use and that professional-looking buttonhole is everything.
So now, do you need to buy an industrial sewing machine?
Like with many things, the answer is “It depends.” You could certainly argue that an industrial sewing machine is what separates the amateurs from the professionals. Here are a few other considerations:
- Do you want to declutter your home by getting rid of mediocre machinery?
- Do you want to supplement your income with your sewing and need a reliable machine with a professional-looking stitch?
- Do you want to combine different types of material together for accessories?
- Do you work with canvas, jeans, leather or sequined fabrics?
- Do you sew every day for more than 4 hours a day?
- Do you own an embroidery machine and are thinking of making quilts and handbags?
Then the answer is yes!
As with my sewing machines, I traded my jeans for a nice pair of well-fitted dark color 7 for all mankind jeans slimming illusion –I like the illusion part the best– and, Yes, I have only one pair now. Expensive for sure, but worth every penny.
How many sewing machines then? I think of machines as the brush of a painter. You can use your hands or have just one, but the true and full answer is 3. One serger, one domestic machine that makes flawless buttonholes, and my workhorse –an old Pfaff 563 that is reliable and noisy like a tractor, but it sews many layers of fabric together, thick leather and finishes the job efficiently and quickly.
How many sewing machines do you have? Would you consider an industrial one? Do you have the perfect sewing machine for your needs? Leave a comment on the box below. We'd love to hear your opinion.
I just discovered that you can even find industrial sewing machines on Amazon! Below are some options.
If you're thinking about a new sewing machine, you can find lots of great reviews over on Sewing Machine Reviews. If you find one of your existing machines in their list, go ahead and leave a review so you can help other readers with their decision.
I would love to have a Juki industrial sewing machine!
I have 3 machines…a serger that I haven’t used for a long, long time…a Viking Designer I & a Viking Ruby Royale…I got the ruby for embroidery since my Viking was outdated…I mostly use them to sew handbags, totes, etc. I quit making clothes years ago. As for the embroidery with Ruby, haven’t done any yet. My Vikings are pretty easy to use & will sew through many layers. I have never used a Juki but from reading the sewing blogs, there are a lot of sewers who have them. I would like to try one.
I make dog gear such as harnesses and collars, as well as, bags and other items that require several layers of thick fabric and webbing and though I don’t own an industrial machine, I would love to have one.
I would love to have an industrial machine to make sewing heavy denim and canvas possible. My current machine just can’t handle heavy fabric.
Yes I believe I should have a industrial machine. I have 7 sewing machines. 2 at home and three in the dry cleaners. Putting in zippers in jackets and professional stitches on jeans like rock revivals and the miss me jeans. The stitches are longer than my Pfaff machine can do. I need a machine that can make my alterations look professional.
Yes! I’ve been pining away for a Juki industrial machine. It would be a dream come true!!! I make handbags and wallets and wow what difference it would make with my work❤️❤️
I would take an industrial sewing machine if it was given to me. I don’t think I could afford it. But I would love the ability to sew heavier projects. It would be great!
Most definitely! My 44 yr old Kenmore is begging to retire.
I want an industrial machine so that I can more easily sew through thick layers when making bags, and I’d like to experiment with leather for bags. An industrial would improve my top stitching.
I would love to own an industrial sewing machine. I have a Bernina hobby sewing machine and a serger. yhank you . from Curacao
I love to sew but all I could afford is a handheld sewing device,I wish I have one of this
I too do a lot of jeans. My J anome is ok but I would rather have a real heavy duty machine!
I’m retired. age 71. I try to supplement my income with sewing bags, handbags,…I would love to win the JUKI. Yes. The machines stitching on these JUKI’s are fantastic. My sister had one and I wanted one too. Thank you!!
I only have one sewing machine and in need of an industrial machine that I am able to sew through several thicknesses of heavy canvas. The machine I have now is an older Bernina and I love it, but am hesitant to use on the canvas even with a leather needle. I am tempted however, as I am living on a very limited income since retirement and there is no way I am able to afford the machine I would want. So onward and upward and with God’s blessing I will be able to use my trusty Bernina for the project (s) I have in mind for the canvas!!
I entered the competition to see if I could win the Industrial Machine for my son-in-law who is an automotive upholsterer.He has a very old industrial machine and life would be so much easier for him if he had a new one. He had terrible cancer surgery 4 years ago and is still getting back on his feet-his old machine is playing up and causing him more stress when he tries to do the jobs that he can manage.It would be wonderful to hear that he had won.
I would love an industrial machine! With the amount of hours I spend sewing it would cut down on the amount of time for each project.
I have 5machines. I would love an industrial machine and have that extra power. When I see I do it Bob stop till I finish my orojects.
I could never even think of purchasing a industrial one since we are on a fixed income that takes every penny every month. I
I live in a area that manufactures furniture. There are outlet fabric stores that have great prices on nice size remnants of upholstery. One of my church ministries is to sew walker pouches and other gifts out of the heavier fabrics. I would love to have an industrial sewing machine to stitch layers of this fabric together. Whether I am the lucky recipient or not, what a wonderful opportunity for someone. Thanks for your encouragement for sewists everywhere.
I’ve been wishing for one! I have a portable machine which is ok for light sewing. I am looking forward to making gowns and my machine just can’t do the job.
I absolutely need an industrial machine! After years of making quilts with traditional quilting cottons, I’ve fallen in love with making smaller art quilts using all types of textiles with their varying thicknesses and densities. My domestic machine struggles! I’m also itching to make beautiful handbags, but I know my current machine just can’t keep up. I would love to put the pedal to the metal of a wonderful industrial machine!
I have a Juki and several Brothers and lots of Vintage Singers, but love making bags out of canvas and mixed materials. I also love to make costumes. So yeah, I could really use an industrial machine now…
I have two Janine’s and a server that doesn’t stitch quite right. I’m looking for an industrial machine that I can use for recycling out dated fur coats tnto teddy bears.
I do embroidery but would love to have an industrial machine to do the “heavy” sewing involving placing handles on bags as well as making bags using upholstery samples. I worry about what I might be doing to my embroidery/sewing machine when I stitch through bulky fabrics and add webbing for handle straps.
Would love the Juki Industrial!
Wow, yes I could sure use this machine.
I need an industrial sewing machine to make figet quilts for dementia patients. I am always sewing something heavy on pillow shams and breaking needles.
I have 3 old sewing machines, 1 pfaff embroidery/sewing machine and, 1 serger (have no idea how to use it, so it is a dust collector). I have been dreaming of an industrial for sometime, trying to save up. I don’t think they make a perfect machine. A perfect machine for me would be an all in one, embroidery, serger, sewing, and industrial all wrapped up pretty. 😉
I have heard many good comments about the Juki. I make purses and pouches and need one machine that will stitch through all layers. Juki seems to be the right machine.
Yes, I do need an industrial sewing machine. Thank you!
I have a small sewing business in my home but I have never had a heavy duty machine ,let alone a magnificent industrial machine like the Juki!
I have two machines, an older model Janome in a table and a small one for taking to classes. If I had an industrial machine, I would use it in bag making and also for quilting, since it has a big working area.
I would love a machine that can sew handbags and other heavy fabrics without skipping stitches!
I think I would love to have a reliable, sturdy machine!
Yes when putting together embroidery blocks it would be great to have this machine.
I would love an industrial sewing machine! My therapy is sewing. No matter how hard a day that is my joy. An industrial machine will allow me to do leather and more “solid” fabric for making bags.
I have a Baby Lock Molly which I love and works great for many things but I need something heavy to work with my denim and heavier projects like bags etc. This baby is a beauty!!
I have an embroidery machine an over locker and just a basic sewing machine. A one fits all sounds fantastic it would give me more room for all of my fabric collections I collect to make tutus, quilts and repairs for lots of people.
I have a Bernina Quilters Edition which is a workhorse..mostly I make quilts And I have a Brother with an embroidery module that I use for…you guessed it…embroidering.dont know if I need an industrial machine but I’d love to try it out.
Well, I have a few dozen sewing machines, but none of them are industrial. I could give a few away to those who are starting to learn to sew IF I had an industrial to take over the jobs of a couple of dozens of the other regular home machines. What do you think?
Would love to have a beautiful machine like this!
I would love a juki! I presently have 7 sewing machines but they are mostly antiques. 2 white, the remaining are singers- treadle- a couple are early 1900’s; 1 1800’s. Anyway. I’m an avid quilter.
It’s a hobby.
I’m retired and waiting for grandchildren. Lol
I have (1) Singer, (1) Kenmore and (2) Brothers…then I have my Brother PE770 embroidery machine. I actually love each and everyone of them in their own little way…but I would love to have a n industrial machine, so I could retire and sew full time instead of part time.