View Full Version : Sewing Machine Advice requested
I'd like to get a sewing machine capable of handling heavy material:
Cordura nylon, sailcloth, canvas, leather, that sort of thing
Goal is to make bags, harnesses, camping gear and accessories.
I know very very little about sewing machines other than my grandma's old treadle machine.
I am paralyzed by an overabundance of choice in machines, in my initial attempts at Internet research.
All tips/recommendations appreciated :-)
I'd like to get a sewing machine capable of handling heavy material:
Cordura nylon, sailcloth, canvas, leather, that sort of thing
Goal is to make bags, harnesses, camping gear and accessories.
I know very very little about sewing machines other than my grandma's old treadle machine.
I am paralyzed by an overabundance of choice in machines, in my initial attempts at Internet research.
All tips/recommendations appreciated :-)
I would recommend a Singer Industrial. You can start with a Singer Heavy Duty
but from what you are describing, one of the old Industrials might suit you.
Here's a Singer heavy duty that is cheap and easily available.
https://www.joann.com/singer-heavy-duty-4411-sewing-machine/2458313.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&source=TIS-S&WT.srch=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-YT1BRAFEiwAd2WRthJ5vOcBysGQxFiJ0dQKChIWAmH2nJumd65 PB3KQECKu-WQi0rBcxBoCCWsQAvD_BwE
I bought one to supplement my other machines and it's okay but for sailcloth etc. I'd be tempted to go to the Singer Industrial (or whatever they are called these days.)
https://www.ebay.com/b/SINGER-Industrial-Sewing-Machines/26256/bn_17644398
My DD and future SIL both sew and are starting to do it for commercial purposes. SIL just made DD a great messenger bag out of some type of canvas. I'll ask them what kind they got and what features you should look for.
I'm intrigued by this one but have never used one:
https://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-LSZ-1-BASIC-Walking-Foot-Sewing-Machine?gclid=CjwKCAjw-YT1BRAFEiwAd2WRtsURv9TawRTCGrDBXSV98qh2NGMHgKN2aX4 zHNAAGup3B8-soNbbehoCG0AQAvD_BwE
ToomuchStuff
4-24-20, 1:56am
A big thing will be how thick of leather!!! Leather is a game changer.
My father wanted one for decades. I don't remember if it was bought for him, by a former coworker he does a bunch of stuff for (Hyatt survivor), or if Tandy Leather had it as a closeout (I think after a class). It is packed away right now, as they were looking at moving, right before this stuff hit, so I will email him and ask what it is.
Off hand, I think I remember it as a Tippmann Boss. Tandy currently sells one, that I believe replaced that, and it is called a Craftool Pro Stitchmaster sewing machine. I think that replaced the one he got from the store.
I agree about leather. Bae, you might want to think about whether you want to start with the lighter fabrics and a heavy duty machine. Here is an interesting article about sewing leather, and he talks about the Singer Industrial I was referring to. (Not a new one, obviously.)
http://andrewcaddle.com/wordpress/will-your-machine-sew-leather/
ToomuchStuff
4-24-20, 9:20am
"It is manual (no motor). It works with most leathers. I don’t have to have it by an outlet. When I broke a needle and jammed the machine in the next pass I wasn't able to repair it and I had to send it in so you should keep the box. I was working in very thick leather and had broken the tip of the needle and didn’t know it. You have to make sure you make a complete pass forward and back with the lever. I sometimes don’t get it done correctly so it skips a stitch.
SailriteŽ UltrafeedŽ LSZ-1
This is the secondary machine I had hoped to get when I worked in the cave. It is mostly used on boats to repair sails. Some lightweight leathers my Tippmann Boss tends to tear and this would handle correctly. This can be powered from 110V but as on boats can be run manually also. It can also do zigzag with sometimes would be better on some lightweight materials. It cannot handle the heavy weight leathers."
From my father
Sounds like another vote for the Sailrite for the sail sewing.
I think you will need more than one machine to do the range you are talking about--it's like trying to buy one saw to cut everything from logs to doing carpentry work.
(I think that works as a metaphor, but I know nothing about saws.)
mschrisgo2
4-25-20, 12:09am
I’ve seen a couple of Singer Industrial machines turn up on Facebook Marketplace lately.
and I agree, you are probably going to need more than one machine to handle that range of materials.
You could invest in one of those ten thousand dollar Berninas...I don't know if they sew on leather, but I would think they should be able to do that and cook dinner for you at that price. Good luck in finding a good machine--or machines, and keep us updated on your output.
I'm skeptical of late model (later than the sixties) Singers, but this model has some good reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/review/R1YD6M13ZDLYRR?ref_=fsclp_pl_fr_2
I'm skeptical of late model (later than the sixties) Singers, but this model has some good reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/review/R1YD6M13ZDLYRR?ref_=fsclp_pl_fr_2
I have this machine, Jane. I think it would work well for the canvas and the harnesses and would be an excellent first machine.
Don't think it could handle the leather, but I admittedly have not tried it on leather.
I have this machine, Jane. I think it would work well for the canvas and the harnesses and would be an excellent first machine.
Don't think it could handle the leather, but I admittedly have not tried it on leather.
It's reasonably priced; probably worth a try.
sweetana3
4-25-20, 11:48am
The 10,000 Berninas would likely not sew on leather. Maybe but unlikely. My friend has said her Babylock Jane will sew over anything. Straight stitch only and heavy duty.
think you will need more than one machine to do the range you are talking about--it's like trying to buy one saw to cut everything from logs to doing carpentry work.
(I think that works as a metaphor, but I know nothing about saws.)
Analogy works great for my poor brain, perfect :-)
The 10,000 Berninas would likely not sew on leather. Maybe but unlikely. My friend has said her Babylock Jane will sew over anything. Straight stitch only and heavy duty.
I'm mystified as to what it could do at that price.
Eliminating the "leather" requirement, and thinking "maybe not just one machine" seem to produce many more possibilities. I think at this point I should select on "ease of use for beginner", "reliability", and "customer service".
Sounds like you need a more "industrial" machine. There are such things. We have a company here that sells machines that are not "home" machines as normally thought of but are built for what you want. I bet Washington has a similar company. Indianapolis Sewing Machine Company is there name.
It turns out that everyone else in America decided this was a good time to get a sewing machine, all of my top choices seem sold out nearly everywhere.
Ah well :-)
Eliminating the "leather" requirement, and thinking "maybe not just one machine" seem to produce many more possibilities. I think at this point I should select on "ease of use for beginner", "reliability", and "customer service".
I would suggest an older mechanical metal machine. Why? My first machine in 1980 was a $200 Kenmore. I sewed everything on it including a deer hide wedding suit for a guy I worked with and a canvas cover for our tent trailer. Change needle and thread type to match the material. Today's machines? No way 1 could do it all. But those old workhorses? You bet!
Bae, this is probably something that you have already explored but... have you asked around about someone, an oldtimer, who has been repairing sewing machines for years who might know a good source of a workhorse machine from the 60's?
Bae, this is probably something that you have already explored but... have you asked around about someone, an oldtimer, who has been repairing sewing machines for years who might know a good source of a workhorse machine from the 60's?
Excellent thought! I put out the feelers this morning, any old chunky machine will do, I don't require anything fancy.
Due to availability, I have selected this relatively unknown Singer Heavy Duty Variant, as the Plague People hadn't bought them up.
Interestingly, in the time I took to decide, the 18 in-stock sold down to 3 in-stock.
https://www.singer.com/cp6350m-sewing-machine-cosplay-edition
Due to availability, I have selected this relatively unknown Singer Heavy Duty Variant, as the Plague People hadn't bought them up.
Interestingly, in the time I took to decide, the 18 in-stock sold down to 3 in-stock.
https://www.singer.com/cp6350m-sewing-machine-cosplay-edition
That will be a terrifically easy machine to use; great first choice!
So what will be your first project?
Due to availability, I have selected this relatively unknown Singer Heavy Duty Variant, as the Plague People hadn't bought them up.
Interestingly, in the time I took to decide, the 18 in-stock sold down to 3 in-stock.
https://www.singer.com/cp6350m-sewing-machine-cosplay-edition
Congrats on this decision! Enjoy playing with it :)
Cordura nylon, sailcloth, canvas, leather, that sort of thing
Goal is to make bags, harnesses, camping gear and accessories.
What will your first project be? I can't wait to see your creativity bloom in this arena.
Due to availability, I have selected this relatively unknown Singer Heavy Duty Variant, as the Plague People hadn't bought them up.
Interestingly, in the time I took to decide, the 18 in-stock sold down to 3 in-stock.
https://www.singer.com/cp6350m-sewing-machine-cosplay-edition
Hey--that's almost as cute as my Janome Hello Kitty model! Wishing you many satisfying hours of stitching.
It's interesting that sewing machines and baking supplies are suddenly hot items. It would be neat if there were a sustained revival of such homey activities.
So what will be your first project?
Poorly sewn masks to start with until I get the machine figured out.
Then I'll try to make a sewing-machine cover out of a spare bit of old sail I have.
And then get to hemming some pants that showed up recently, that I haven't gotten to.
Pedestrian stuff :-)
Bringing back this thread...
Now that my daughter's dress is made, I'm interested in investing in my own sewing machine. I borrowed SIL's Brother machine for the wedding dress and so now I know how to thread it and work it.. it was a heavy duty computerized machine and I really liked it. He got it at Costco, but it looks like Costco no longer offers it. So I'm back to the drawing board.
So here are my criteria/needs:
...Good for an intermediate sewer
...Brother preferred now that I know it, but not a big deal
...Not heavy (weight--not metal. My old machine was metal and it was a ton weight).
...Heavy duty capability would be good but not necessary
...I don't need a million and one stitches.
...I'm not sure if want mechanical or computerized.. I'd love to hear the pros and cons of each
So far these are a couple of contenders, but not married to anything at this point:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VWXZQ0?pf_rd_r=5V2PPTS9TA673EWHK3PT&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee
https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Quilting-Stitches-Auto-Size-Buttonholes/dp/B000JQM1DE/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KCJT1FEMSY6F&dchild=1&keywords=brother+cs6000i&qid=1602289439&s=arts-crafts&sprefix=brother+c%2Carts-crafts%2C172&sr=1-1
(This one seems most similar to the one I used for the dress)
Thoughts? Recommendations?
sweetana3
10-10-20, 6:40am
Every time this question is raised I answer, find a local dealer. Even if you do not buy from them (but suggested), they will have the machines to try out. Find one with technicians or available repair people. Often great deals are found in trade in or demo machines. Both of my modern machines were demo models on sale.
There are so many different needs and likes. The machine to recommend totally depends on the type of sewing you expect to do in the future. Quilt making requires (or it really helps to have) a different type of machine than clothes sewing or embroidery, or upholstery.
I spent 10X more than you are planning to spend on my machine and do not use 80% of the features. But have a vintage Singer (and have loved my vintage!! Singers a whole lot) for travel and sewing when the fancy machine is in the shop. I prefer a heavy metal machine and do not move it much at all.
All I need is a good straight stitch, up/down control of needle, buttonhole stitch.
Have sewing machines gone the way of other appliances? Are they all made by one or two companies but different names attached?
My Kenmore was made by Janome I was informed by the local repair man. I got the impression that Janome makes a lot of machines for other names but may have misinterpreted this. Sweetana's suggestion is a really good one and the perfect starting point.
I like Sweetana's advice alot. I will buy a sewing machine maybe once every ten years, so I can't even give good advice to someone like you who is already a skilled seamstress (we have seen the dress, so you cannot claim otherwise, lol!)
catherine
10-10-20, 9:10am
I like Sweetana's advice alot. I will buy a sewing machine maybe once every ten years, so I can't even give good advice to someone like you who is already a skilled seamstress (we have seen the dress, so you cannot claim otherwise, lol!)
Yes, I also like sweetana's advice. I just looked up sewing machine repair people near me, and I think that maybe COVID is making people craftier because he said on his FB page that he is down to 50 outstanding phone calls he has to return!! So I'm not going to add to that list. Or maybe I will, but just keep looking on my own and see how fast he gets back to me. I'll try another sewing machine place, but there aren't that many up here, as you would expect.
This one is a drive, and maybe you don't want to go that far with Covid:
https://www.middleburysewnvac.com/
Jane v2.0
10-10-20, 10:15am
I like Bernina from experience, and Janome by reputation, but I agree with the consensus. Go and try some out.
catherine
10-12-20, 10:16am
This one is a drive, and maybe you don't want to go that far with Covid:
https://www.middleburysewnvac.com/
I'm not concerned about COVID in VT necessarily, but that is a bit of a drive! But thanks for the lead!
As it turns out, I heard from the guy closer to me who has 50 messages to return! This is what he said in his iMessage:
Unless you see yourself doing a lot of embellishment with fancy stitches, a mechanical machine may be simpler to operate that a computerized one. That would include machines like the Janome HD-3000 and the Husqvarna Viking Emerald series, which is built by Janome. I like the Emerald 118. It's mechanical, well built, has a decent selection of stitches, and though it's not computerized, it does have the ability to stop with needle up (or down) which is really handy.
In general, Janome makes good machines. Brother makes good machines if you avoid the really cheap ones at Walmart. Juki builds some good machines, but they can be hard to find. Bernina is somewhat over-engineered and overpriced.
Singer now relies on subcontractors for all its manufacturing, so quality is hit or miss. Some of their lines like the 4000-series "Heavy Duty" machines, the 7000-series Patchwork machines, and the Quantum Styllst 9900-series, are pretty good.
If you want a machine that's durable and dependable, I'd plan on spending at least $250, and maybe up as far as $450-$600 if your budget permits - that range should cover a lot of nice mid-range machines.
As for used machines: vintage metal Singer machines hold up well, but avoid the plastic ones esp. if they were made in Brazil, and avoid the Touch & Sew series - they're flakey. Kenmore machines are usually a safe bet - Sears always used dependable manufacturers.
Just in case anyone wants to know...advice from an expert.
The Viking emerald looks like a rea.ly nice machine:
https://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/v-957287112.php?gclid=Cj0KCQjwoJX8BRCZARIsAEWBFMJCEc mBrZk7omfeaCoX9ZaOdxgjq04zSf5XX0zFoR7r0UqFuKpzlNMa Ash4EALw_wcB
There are so many different needs and likes. The machine to recommend totally depends on the type of sewing you expect to do in the future. Quilt making requires (or it really helps to have) a different type of machine than clothes sewing or embroidery, or upholstery.
Interesting perspective. I do everything on a single machine: tailored clothing, I made a new canvas cover for our tent trailer way back, I quilt, I mend......not sure why this is your perspective?
I've made quilt tops on my Bernina and an antique Singer Featherweight. For quilting on a bed sized quilt, a larger harp space would be useful.
sweetana3
10-16-20, 1:25pm
Interesting perspective. I do everything on a single machine: tailored clothing, I made a new canvas cover for our tent trailer way back, I quilt, I mend......not sure why this is your perspective?
My machine's throat size makes it difficult to quilt a large project. It is fussy about too many thicknesses of heavy fabric. What it does, fancy stitching and lots of piecing of all kinds with the necessary bells and whistles, it does well.
If someone wants to do heavy duty or multi layer work, I suggest ensuring the machine they are considering can do it. My friend's machine could not handle machine binding over 6 layers plus batting and neither could mine. If they want to quilt large projects in one piece, a wider throat is very helpful. Not that you cannot do most anything with a vintage Singer which I also own, but things like needle threader, needle up and down control, knee lift, etc. are not on most vintage/antique machines. Just like I use only 2 of the feet for my machine, I only use three stitches of the 500 my machine can do.
I just found a free motion quilting foot for the Singer Featherweight so most anything is possible with enough work. Just wanted them to know to check because depending on what use you want, the machine can be too small, too cheap, or unable to fulfill the need.
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