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’ve seen everything from lingerie tovtsilored suits to quilts to heavy duty outdoor vinyl banners on my Bernina 930 but it is 36 years old and on its last legs, with feed dogs losing their grip, and when the foot control died the shop had to replace it with a different model.
A sturdier machine would be terrific!
I travel to the tropics a lot, so the linen fabric would be perfect for that v top or a loose fitting dress.
I’ve been considering an industrial sewing machine for many years, but have not purchased one yet. With drapery, window treatments, upholstery work I believe it would be a great help. I purchased my Viking in 1973. It’s a great machine, but having an industrial machine would help me complete my sewing projects sooner. Thank you for making this available to us.
I would make extra strong shopping bags for all my girlfriends and donate the rest of the them to the food pantry.
I NEED an industrial sewing machine. I have horses and constantly have to repair their blankets! It takes a lot of time to take them to a saddle shop for repairs, and then I have to leave them and come back in a couple of weeks to pick them up. I’ve been using my 50 year old Singer when possible, but some are too heavy for that.
Yes, I really need an industrial sewing machine!! I sew canvas and Sunbrella for outdoor pillows and boat accessories. It really takes a toll on even my 50+ year old all-metal Singer. I love sewing bags, drapes, slipcovers to change color schemes – I just love to sew and would love a machine that could take on the challenge!!!
Wow! How exciting for the chance to win a industrial sewing machine. I have jean quilts to make, bags to put handles on and picnic quilts to make to name a few items..This machine would really be such a help by saving on all those broken needles, all unsightly skipped or uneven stitches.
I love sewing it is a way to share, show I care and therapy.
Thanks 😉
I know I could use one after reading your article. I did not know I needed one, but I do now! I sew a lot of different things and I quilt as well. What a wonderful giveaway.
What would I do with an industrial sewing machine? Everything! I make drapes, handbags, quilts, clothes, stuffables and anything my imagination turns to!
I’ve heard good things about Juki sewing machines. I’d love to make a jumper. I love to make totes, cosmetic bags, grocery bags that are reusable and reversible.
I need an industrial sewing machine as I’ve seen on leather, multiple layers, quilts and even restitched a trampoline. Very hard on a regular sewing machine. I need something that can stand up to this abuse! I’d also love to start making purses with leathers and other heavy fabrics.
I would love an industrial sewing machine because i would like to sew draps and bags.
I have taught my children to sew and would like this machine to learn and teach to use also.
I own an old Pfaff industrial machine that I bought when a local garment company went out of business. I had to change the electric motor (original ran on 3-phase) and tinker with the gear linkage. But it could sew 3,000 stitches and would literally bounce at full speed. This was over 30 years ago and that machine is worn out (I haven’t used it in years). I have started sewing again for my grands and adopted grands and would love a machine that doesn’t get out of timing every time I sew something bulky. The Juki sounds perfect.
Looks like it would be a great addition to my sewing room!
So many heavy duty projects, so little time! I’ve always been afraid to try them on my little Janome although I do love it. I would love to be able to easily sew on canvas, leather and fur. It would be a dream come true!
I would love a juki sewing machine, for making bags and purses, and quilts
I would love one. My friends have me make rugs, hand bags etc. to donate to charities.
I would love an industrial machine. I have started making bags and am having trouble sewing thru the thickness of home dec fabric.
I am still using the first machine I bought 45 years ago. That includes making my husband’s Navy uniforms. I would love a new machine.
I bought an industrial sewing machine but got ripped off. The machine head will not sit in the bed correctly, the oil pan connection is severed and I can not open or turn back the head with out it coming out of the bed. I live in Ecuador and there is no recourse for unethical dealers.
Sad to read this comment. I am sorry for your experience.
For many years I have enjoyed sewing. However in trying to so some of the heavier items I have encountered problems with my sewing machine not being able to sew over heavy seas. I dream of sewing leather bags and leather garments. If I was to win this Juki industrial sewing machine my dreams would come true
I have been asking people what machine they would recommend as I want a new sewing machine–heavy duty and sews everything. Juki was mentioned as one of the best. I would love to have one.
Yes I love to have that machine. I have started to saw again after over 15 years pause, many backoperates during that time. After getting wonderful assistant 4 years ago I have been able to take care of my fysical fit (and I’m 15 kg lighter). Now almos all my clothes are too big. I have skil to sew clothes and a lot of other thing (thank to my mother). And as new grandmother I partly clothing my grandson, thats how I can help my daughter. My daughter lives 1 hours driving away – I can’t drive because of my painmeds-
And by sewing I can earn little extra over my small pension. And teach my assistant a new skil (sewing, she has already learn how to knit). I saw with my old Singer (41 year old) and mother old (23 years) serger. New sewing machine will help me alot and gives possible inprove my sewing skils.
I would love an industrial machine. When I was younger I worked on a few in a factory . The speed and convince was practical ,it being on its own table. I Would love to have one but the price always of them always stopped me. I have never had a Pfaff or a juki.
Yes!!! I have an old Consew industrial machine, a Brother, a Viking, a New Home and a Singer domestic machines, plus a treadle. I love to sew all types of projects and would love to have a Juki. I could then use it and make all the others my collection.
I would use the fabric as a lining under a pale cream lace in a new tank top
Yes I really need an industrial machine for making bags and covering cushions
I would love to have an industrial machine. It would help me to make handbags and other heavy duty items which I shy away from at the moment in fear of ruining my everyday sewing machine.
My passion is bag making, and while I love my Brother sewing machine, it sure doesn’t like the heavy material required. An industrial machine would handle that like a dream come true. I would probably break out in song and small birds would magically appear.
Yes, of course. I love to sew dresses, but with my old Veritas I don’t have many options. I would love the industrial juki!
I would love an industrial machine. I do an awful lot of sewing, and put my domestic machine under enormous pressure, but couldn’t justify spending money on another machine.
My husband is a sailor, think sails. My mother’s old Kenmore just couldn’t handle several layers of sailcloth.
Yes I would love one. Love sewing and have always wanted one.
I would love one to make my bag sewing much easier. Additionally, I have been sewing on patches to uniforms and it’s quite a task with my regular machine.
I wish I could sew through anything. My Janome is great, and handles majority fabrics, but I find it struggles with some of the brocades I use for costuming. And I still can’t hem heavy jeans with it.
I make all kinds of items having a industrial machine would be fantastic the quality of the finished item would be so much better used those machines years ago but have never got to find one to replace the many domestic machines that I have worn out.
Yes. I sew bags and find that an industrial machine would make it so much easier.
I do lots of sewing for my family I have a very small shop. It would be amazing to upgrade to an industrial machine to make it look all that much better. I’ve looked a few times but I knew my budget isn’t ready.
I have 5, one Viking serger , one Janome coverstitch machine and 3 Janome sewing machines. I Sell bikinis and do so much sewing that one is always rotating in and out of the repair shop. I would love an industrial sewing machine
I would love an industrial sewing. I like to make home made purses and bags . I used all sort of different materials to them and an industrial sewing machine will really help.
I would LOVE an industrial machine, as I am sewing almost everyday for church bazaar. I made over 100 dog bandanna’s the last couple of months. I do have a single needle embroidery machine and a small 550 bernina ,but sure would love an industrial for bag making,
Yes I would love one. I take old clothes and cut them into strips sew them together and weave them into rugs. It would make it “sew” much easier using an industrial machine
I would love a Juki. Due to my back being broken I can only spend short amount of time sitting. The industrial is faster which means I can see more in the same time. Very keen to increase bag stock as a means of getting an income. No real pension to speak of. Your generosity and partnership with Juki will help me to achieve an improved lifestyle!