Last updated: 16/10/2022

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If you intend to increase productivity in your sewing atelier or plan to set up a sewing shop, it is worth investing in an industrial sewing machine. The equipment can be used to sew simple and elaborate pieces. The industrial sewing machine is more robust, resistant and faster than a domestic sewing machine. It is compatible with different types of fabrics, threads and needles. Want to know more? Read on.




Summary

  • You will find the industrial sewing machine in mechanical, electric and electronic versions. The electric and electronic models have a digital touchscreen panel – some models have voice commands.
  • If you intend to use the industrial sewing machine every day, for many hours in a row, invest in the mechanical model because this machine is more durable and does not consume energy.
  • If you are a beginner in the sewing business, you should choose a straight sewing machine, because this model is easy to handle. If you want to ensure a perfect finish, you should choose an industrial sewing machine in tubular form.

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Buying Guide

To open a textile factory or tailoring atelier, the seamstress needs to take some courses, be up to date with fashion trends, constantly recycle sewing techniques and buy an industrial sewing machine. Learn how to choose a good industrial sewing machine in this Buying Guide.

Imagem de uma costureira.

Buying an industrial sewing machine is essential for those who want to open a workshop or confection. (Source: Retha Ferguson/ Pexels.com)

What are the features of an industrial sewing machine?

The industrial sewing machine looks like a traditional sewing machine, but it is larger, more resistant and comes with a support table. It can be mechanical, electric or electronic – the latter two have a direct drive motor. The equipment comes with one or more needles where the sewing threads are placed – the industrial sewing machine is compatible with almost all types of fabrics and threads such as cotton, nylon, viscose, silk, metallic, wool, reel and mixed. The industrial sewing machine is intended for professionals who work with making clothes, whether in a workshop, factory or at home.

What kind of work can I do with an industrial sewing machine?

Who wants to buy an industrial sewing machine should consider what services can be performed with the equipment. Versatile, the industrial sewing machine is used to make simple or detailed pieces in light or heavy fabrics – such as cotton, leather, jeans, wool, synthetic fabrics, among others. It can also be used to sew larger pieces such as curtains, sheets, towels and rugs, in addition to accessories such as backpacks, purses, bags and shoes – the machine sews on fabrics that contain rubber parts. The machine can also be used to make repairs and finishes such as making hems, applying bias, making decorative seams, among others. The great advantage of the industrial sewing machine is that it can be used to produce and repair pieces in large quantities.

Imagem de uma máquina de costura.

The industrial sewing machine can be used to make garments with multiple layers of fabric. (Source: Jeff Wade/ Unsplash.com)

The industrial sewing machine has some differentials such as length adjustment, lower and upper braid, silicone reservoir with automatic lubrication system, eye and finger protector, bias applicator, among others. The industrial sewing machine is the best alternative for those who need practicality and speed in large-scale daily production. Know all the advantages and disadvantages of the equipment in the table below:

Advantages
  • Suitable for making clothes, shoes and accessories
  • Compatible with almost all types of fabrics and threads
  • Also suitable for making repairs
  • More resistant than a common sewing machine
  • Requires little maintenance
  • Comes with a support table
Disadvantages
  • It is more expensive
  • Takes up a lot of space
  • It is dangerous to handle
  • Requires some experience with sewing

How to profit from an industrial sewing machine?

You have several options of business ventures with the help of a sewing machine. From working with custom sewing, to making customized garments such as school or professional uniforms. You can also open a high sewing atelier, a franchise of small repairs on clothes or a clothing or accessories manufacture. There are plenty of options, use your creativity.

Imagem de uma mulher trabalhando em uma confecção.

An industrial sewing machine can generate a lot of profit. (Source: Whirligigtop/ Pixabay.com)

How to use an industrial sewing machine safely?

As we mentioned earlier, the industrial sewing machine is great for sewing parts together quickly, but it can be very dangerous if you don’t take some care. The main thing is to never neglect your hands when sewing. Also, never change or replace the thread or sewing needle with the machine running. The ideal thing is to turn off the equipment, make the adjustments and turn it back on. With small precautions, you will not suffer accidents.

Imagem de uma pessoa costurando.

Care should be taken when handling the industrial sewing machine. (Source: Waldemar Brandt/ Unsplash.com)

What are the differences between industrial and home sewing machine?

The home sewing machine is suitable for personal use. The device has a built-in motor, compact size, moderate speed, free arm, tension regulator, can use single or double needle and performs a wide variety of stitches.
With a home sewing machine you can sew an entire garment

With a home sewing machine, you can sew an entire garment, from pattern to finish, just by changing stitches. Since no table is included, the home sewing machine can be stored in a corner of your wardrobe after use. This equipment is ideal for those who are not used to sewing or do not want to work with textile production – either making or repairing clothes. It should not be used for many hours, nor every day, as it can overload the equipment.

Imagem de uma máquina de costura doméstica.

The home sewing machine is ideal for small repairs. (Source: FOX/ Pexels.com)

In short, the industrial sewing machine is more robust, resistant, fast and simple to handle, ideal for large-scale production. It can be used for many hours and days without needing an overhaul. This type of machine has specific functions such as straight sewing, overlock, welder, embroiderer, among other models. The industrial sewing machine has its own cabinet, so it takes up a lot of space in the atelier or workshop. If you decide to buy an industrial sewing machine, we recommend that you take a sewing course because this equipment has more features and requires more skills of the sewer. Compare the two options in the table below:

Industrial sewing machine Domestic sewing machine
Indication of use Large-scale production of parts Making and repairing few parts
Operation Mechanical, electric or electronic Electric or electronic
Speed Up to 9000 stitches per minute Up to 1500 stitches per minute
Price £1200 to £2500 Above £600
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Purchase criteria: How to evaluate an industrial sewing machine

The variety of sewing machines on the market is huge, which makes the choice difficult. The challenge is to find a good industrial sewing machine according to the technical specifications of the equipment. Know some criteria that should be taken into consideration when buying:

We will explain each of the topics throughout this section. Be sure to rate and share this article with other sewists.

Speed

One detail you should note when buying an industrial sewing machine is the stitch speed per minute (measured in PPM) which ranges from 5,000 to 9,000 PPM.

Tip: The industrial sewing machine reaches up to 9,000 PPM, so look for equipment with finger and eye protection to avoid possible accidents

Style of operation

An industrial sewing machine can be mechanical, electric or electronic/digital. Learn about the features of each model along this section:

  • Mechanical industrial sewing machine is considered a more basic type of sewing machine because it is necessary to manually coordinate the speed of the machine according to the pressure exerted by the feet on the foot pedal. Nowadays, it is more difficult to find this kind of sewing machine.
  • Electric industrial sewing machine has a motor which moves the needle and bobbin. Some models have a foot pedal and the higher the pressure applied, the faster the machine can sew. It is the preferred model of most sewers as it offers various stitch options.
  • Electronic/digital industrial sewing machine is used by more experienced sewists. It features a digital LCD touchscreen panel where you can select the stitch and design you want to sew – there is a wide variety of stitches and the machine has memory to store them – and the desired speed.

Again, to choose the ideal model, it is essential to consider the purpose of use of the industrial sewing machine. For sewing on lighter fabrics, you can use an electric or electronic machine. For heavy fabrics or assembling parts with many layers, use a mechanical sewing machine.

Imagem de uma mulher costurando.

You can find different models of industrial sewing machine. (Source: Thieu Hoang Phuoc/ Pexels.com)

Type of machine

You can find different types of industrial sewing machine:

  • Straight industrial sewing machine as the name implies, it only sews “straight”, without backstitching. It is ideal for sewing parts on thicker fabrics, on a large scale and very quickly.
  • Industrial overlock sewing machine has three threads, ideal for sewing knit fabrics and finishing flat fabrics.
  • Interlock industrial sewing machine has five threads. It does everything the overlock machine is capable of, but the sewing is straight. This machine is a combination of the two models above.
  • Industrial sewing machine galoneira is used to make more elaborate finishes on parts, such as nailing bias or make bar. This machine is a little more delicate and requires careful handling.

Shape of the machine

Industrial sewing machine can be in straight or rounded shape. The straight sewing machine is very simple to handle, ideal for those who are starting to sew professionally.

Imagem de acessórios de costura.

Use your creativity to sew. (Source: Suzy Hazelwood/ Pexels.com)

The rounded or tubular sewing machine is ideal for those who already have experience with sewing and want to improve the quality of the finish. It is more difficult to find models with this format.

(Source of the detached image: Sarahloka/ Pixabay.com)

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