Best Industrial Sewing Machines for Sewing Professionals

For many sewists, a typical sewing machine works well for most projects. Occasional sewing jobs and infrequent use mean the machine will not experience much stress in its lifetime. But an industrial sewing machine is vital if you’ve made sewing your career.

Take a closer look at what advantages come with an industrial sewing machine and which ones are best for sewing professionals.

The Benefits of an Industrial Sewing Machine

What makes an industrial sewing machine the superior choice? There are specific attributes that a professional garment maker or sewist needs from their machine, including:

Durability

An industrial machine is designed to handle constant sewing for hours on end. This kind of use would wear out a domestic machine quickly.

Strength

Industrial sewing machines are extremely strong. Their motors and moving parts can handle heavy, thick material without slowing down or breaking.

Speed

Industrial machines are faster than domestic machines. This speed is essential for professional sewists who handle many projects at a time.

Specialization

While domestic sewing machines must be usable for multiple projects, industrial machines can be designed for a single purpose. For example, you may need a machine specifically for embroidering or chain stitching.

Programmability

Many modern industrial machines can use complex programs. These programs can create intricate patterns and decorations.

What to Look for in an Industrial Sewing Machine

Before investing in an industrial sewing machine, you want to ensure it’s right for you. Here’s what to look for.

Serviceability

You want to know that when something breaks or wears out, you can get your machine repaired. If the manufacturer is out of business or has a reputation for poor customer support, you can end up experiencing unnecessary downtime.

Durable Construction

Even though plastic is pervasive in many consumer products, it’s not suitable for the frame of an industrial sewing machine. The stand and everything that bears weight or moves should made of metal.

The tabletop should also be robust and able to withstand heavy use. If ordering online, read customer feedback carefully and watch professional reviews.

Usability

If the machine is too complicated to figure out, it doesn’t matter if it’s durable and has excellent parts support. Look for user-friendly interfaces and check user reviews to ensure the machine won’t stump you whenever you turn it on.

Price

While you should expect to spend more than you would for a domestic machine, that doesn’t mean you should overpay. Check prices across retailers. Buying used can save you money, but remember that you may risk inheriting another sewist’s problems.

The Top Industrial Sewing Machines

A trusted brand known for quality, Juki offers a range of industrial sewing machines that suit various budgets, all with unmatched durability and dependability. Consider investing in any of these industrial sewing machines:

Inexpensive and Versatile: Juki DDL-8100E Single Needle Lockstitch Sewing Machine

With the DDL-8100E, you benefit from a brilliantly designed, reliable, and durable machine. It can handle medium-weight fabric at up to 4,500 stitches per minute and has automatic lubrication. Thanks to its light-touch stitch dial and high-lift presser foot (13 mm), it feels light and easy to operate.

Heavy Duty: Juki DDL-8700H Heavy-Weight High-Speed Single Needle Lockstitch Sewing Machine

If you primarily work with heavy-weight fabrics, you’ll need a machine that can handle the stress. Juki’s DDL-8700H has a well-balanced and rigid machine head that’s strong and low in vibration and noise and can handle 4,000 stitches per minute.

Fast: Juki DDL-5550N High-Speed Single Needle Lockstitch Sewing Machine

For professionals who value speed, the DDL-5550N delivers up to 5,500 stitches per minute without becoming inaccurate. The machine features the same high-lift presser foot (13 mm by knee, 5.5 mm by hand) as the other machines on this list. This machine is an excellent choice if you want to go large-scale quickly.

Fully Automatic: Juki DDL-9000C High-Speed Direct Drive Industrial Sewing Machine

The Juki DDL-9000C is a top-of-the-line machine that provides fully automatic operation, including thread cutting, backtracking, and foot-lift. Since it can be programmed digitally via the control panel, users don’t have to manually reset it for every single garment. It also has auto-adjustment for fabric thicknesses up to medium-weight.

Find Your Ultimate Industrial Sewing Machine at GoldStar Tool

Need help choosing an industrial sewing machine? Turn to the expert team at GoldStar Tool. We carry machines from the most reputable names in the industry, including Juki, Yamata, and Kansai. Visit us online to learn more, or find your next machine today!