Sew Many Choices! A Comprehensive Guide to the Different Types of Sewing Machines
Have you ever searched online for sewing machines and just got overwhelmed by all the types of sewing machines available? The questions start swirling around your brain… “Do I need multiple different machines? What if I choose the wrong one for what I want to do? What’s the difference between this machine and that machine?”
I get it; I’ve been there! That’s why I wanted to create this comprehensive sewing machine guide to help my fellow sewists and crafters figure out the suitable machine for them.
What Are the Different Types of Sewing Machines?
Before we jump into the specific sewing machines, it is essential to understand the various types. Even though there are hundreds (if not thousands) of sewing machines today, they all fall into one of three types.
- Treadle– This is the old school style of sewing machine where the machine is engineered, so the movement of the foot pedal moves the belt of the sewing machine that controls the needle. These are not electric and don’t need power to run. Companies still make treadle machines, so if you are interested in sewing “the old-fashioned way” but want a new machine, search for treadle sewing machines.
- Mechanical- These machines run on electricity but do not have electronic components. The mechanical sewing machine’s inner workings mean they move using gears and mechanical parts, not electronics. They usually last longer since there are no electronic features that could go wrong. They will usually feature a small set of stitches and functions, enough for most hobby sewists.
- Computerized– Machines of this type have all the “bells and whistles.” They will have hundreds of stitches and automatic functions, and some will have screens and a wide variety of features not seen in mechanical machines. They will usually come at a higher price, but if you want all the luxuries these machines offer, that price will be worth it.
How Many Types of Sewing Machines Are There?
Now that we know about the types, let’s break them down into categories. There are five different categories of sewing machines, and we will go over each one.
- Domestic-This is the most common sewing machine category. A machine in this category will be the best sewing machine choice for hobby sewists or sewists who want to dabble in many different types of sewing projects. These machines can be either mechanical or electronic and come in a wide range of prices.
- Quilting– If you are a quilter, investing in a quilting sewing machine is a great idea. These machines will have all the functionality of a domestic machine with added features specific to quilting. These features will include a larger throat space, decorative stitches, and the ability to lower feed dogs for free-motion quilting. Again there is a significant price range for this type, but you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars for an excellent quilting machine.
- Embroidery– If you want to add elements to your projects, I suggest purchasing an embroidery machine. They are a programmable sewing machine that allows you to select a design, modify it, and have the machine stitch it with a touch of a button. A plus with embroidery machines is many of them are also domestic sewing machines. When shopping, keep that in mind and see if you can get a 2-in-1 sewing and embroidery machine. These will have a heftier price tag, but there are endless possibilities with a good embroidery machine.
- Finishing– If you are interested in tailoring and making garments, you may want to purchase machines that will give you a professional finish to your pieces. These are machines that will have a specific job. We will go over a few of these machines in detail later.
- Industrial– There are many different types of industrial machines, but something they all have in common is they are workhorses. They are built to work hard and fast and will last longer if properly managed. Industrial sewing machines are made with a strong metal frame, and most serve only one function. We will go over those specific functions soon. These are perfect for anyone who wants to start a sewing business.
Sew Many Choices! A Breakdown of the Different Types of Sewing Machines
This final section will look at specific machines and discuss their unique features and which categories they fit into. This guide will help you take the guesswork out of differentiating the vast selection of sewing machines.
- Basic Sewing Machine
Type: Treadle, Mechanical
Category: Domestic
This type of machine is going to be a bare-bones sewing machine. With just a few stitch options, a basic sewing machine will be most beneficial for someone who might need to hem a set of curtains or fix a buttonhole once in a while.
- Hobbyist Sewing Machine
Type: Mechanical, Computerized
Category: Domestic
The Hobbyist sewing machine is a step up from the basic option. It will have several more stitch choices and can be mechanical or computerized. They will cost a bit more than a basic sewing machine and are a better fit for those who want to enjoy several different types of sewing projects.
- Beginner Quilting Machine
Type: Treadle, Mechanical, Computerized
Category: Quilting
If you are a beginner quilter, there is a wide variety of machines available for you to choose from. Prices can vary, but you should be able to find an excellent machine for under $400 to make beautiful quilts. I am a professional quilter, and my first quilting machine was a $250 Singer Patchwork machine. When looking for a suitable machine, keep in mind the throat space and if you want a bunch of added features like the ability to drop the feed dogs and a large selection of decorative stitches.
- Professional Quilting Machine
Type: Mechanical, Computerized
Category: Quilting, Industrial
If you are looking for a professional machine to step up your quilting game, you will probably want to save up at least $700. Advanced quilting machines aren’t cheap, but they offer much to those wishing to take their quilting to the next level.
You can purchase an industrial-grade straight stitch machine like the Juki TL- 2010Q. This machine will allow you to do free motion quilting on large queen-size quilts. Or you could invest in a computerized quilting machine like the Janome MC6650 that is packed full of features to make your quilts look more professional.
- Midarm Quilting Machine
Type: Mechanical, Computerized
Category: Quilting
A Midarm quilting machine is a professional quilting machine with a throat space range of 10” to 15”. These sit-down machines that quilters use to quilt projects large and small. They aren’t quite as large as a longarm quilting machine and are an excellent choice for those who can’t stand for long periods.
- Longarm Quilting Machine
Type: Computerized
Category: Quilting, Industrial
As the name suggests, a longarm quilting machine has a long arm. This refers to the throat space, ranging from 15” to 30”. The unique thing about longarm machines is that instead of sitting at a table, the longarm machine sits on a frame, and you stand while using it. At the same time, you control the machine either by handles attached to the machine’s head or by a computer directing the machine via software. These machines cost thousands of dollars, making them a significant investment, but you can then make gorgeous custom free-motion quilting designs on your quilts. You can also start your own free-motion quilting business with one of these machines.
- Embroidery Machine
Type: Computerized
Category: Embroidery
There are entry-level embroidery machines for a few hundred dollars, and then there are embroidery machines will multiple heads that will cost over $10,000. The basic mechanics of these machines are you will have software on your computer where you create embroidery designs. You then send those designs to the embroidery machine, which will do the stitching for you. All you need to do is switch out threads, set up the fabric in the machine, and press a few buttons to get the machine working. The possibilities are endless with an embroidery machine and what types of projects you can make with them.
- Serger (Overlock) Machine
Type: Mechanical
Category: Finishing, Industrial
Generally used for garment making and tailoring, the serger (aka overlock) machine performs three functions simultaneously. It stitches a straight seam, trims excess fabric with its knife, and makes an overcast stitch on the edge of the material to give your pieces a professional finish. Most sergers will use 2-4 spools of thread, depending on the specific stitch you want to use and the fabric you are sewing. If you look at the inside seam of a pair of pajama pants and see the seam wrapped up in threads, that is what a serger does. They come in household-grade and industrial-grade models.
- Cover Stitch Machine
Type: Mechanical
Category: Finishing, Industrial
Check out the edges of one of your t-shirts. See those simple straight stitches on the outside and then a complex chain on the inside of the seam? You’re looking at a cover stitch made using a cover stitch machine. A cover stitch machine uses 1,2, or 3 needles plus a looper to create professional finishes on garments. They are primarily used with knits and stretchy fabrics and come in household and industrial-grade models. If you plan on making a lot of clothing or tailoring, I would recommend investing in a cover stitch machine.
- Stitch Specific Machines
Type: Mechanical
Category: Finishing, Industrial
When it comes to garment making, there are a lot of different stitches used, but when you are making clothing on a professional level, chances are you want to invest in stitch-specific machines. Here are the various machines that fit in this category and what they are used for:
- Straight stitch machine– Can be used in garment making and, surprisingly, quilt making. The Juki TL-2010Q I mentioned earlier is a popular choice among quilters for piecing quilt tops and free motion quilting.
- Chain stitch machine– Used primarily on undergarment construction. The chain stitch works great for attaching elastic and creating shirring.
- Blind stitch machine– Creates a blind hem stitch for finishing garments such as dresses and pants.
- Flat Seam Machine
Type: Mechanical
Category: Finishing, Industrial
Flat seam machines create an extremely flat seam where the edges of the two fabrics butt up against each other but do NOT overlap. This is the seam you will see on baseball caps and some leather goods. This machine is usually only used in industrial settings.
- Buttonhole and Button Machines
Type: Mechanical
Category: Industrial
In the beautiful world of fashion, buttons are unavoidable. When a company is creating shirts and other garments that require several buttonholes and buttons, they enlist the help of machines where that is their only function. These machines are fast and accurate, creating the perfect buttonhole and stitching on a button.
- Bar Tack Machine
Type: Mechanical
Category: Finishing, Industrial
I know what you’re thinking. “What on earth is a bar tack, and why do they make a machine for it?” The bar tack machine can secure areas of a garment that may wear out if they aren’t tacked down. Parts of jeans such as the belt loops, pockets, and zippers are secured using a bar tack machine.
- Walking Foot Machine
Type: Mechanical
Category: Industrial
A walking foot is a reasonably common sewing tool that comes with most domestic sewing machines. However, in some cases, such as working with heavy-duty fabrics or leather, it might be helpful to buy a walking foot machine. These industrial-strength machines will feed the fabric evenly for perfect stitches and won’t allow the fabric to pucker or warp. A beautiful example of a walking foot machine is the Sailrite Ultrafeed LS-1 if you want to check one out.
There we have it! You have finished reading my guide to sewing machines. I genuinely hope this has helped you understand sewing machines’ different types and categories. I know I had a lot of fun researching these machines, and I hope you had fun learning about them too!
Happy Stitching!
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