Choosing your first sewing machine is tough, but choosing the right sewing machine is tougher if you don’t know what to look for. When it comes to purchasing a sewing machine, especially for the first time, your purchase will depend on what you’ll use it for. So, how do you know what to look out for when purchasing your first sewing machine?
Domestic sewing machines are designed for quilting, home decorating, or crafting whereas industrial sewing machines are built to sew through thick materials and multiple layers of leather and fabric. Your choice will depend on the use thereof.
This article aims to help you decide when purchasing a sewing machine. In doing so, we will unpack the key differences between a domestic and industrial sewing machine, what they are used for, the tools you need for each machine, how to use them, entry-level model options and so much more.
What’s the difference between a domestic and an industrial sewing machine?
What’s worse than buying the wrong shoe size online? Buying the wrong sewing machine. I know the feeling of ordering shoes online from a brand you’ve never heard of. You’ve been eyeballing this shoe for months, doing all the research about it before making the final decision to buy it. It’s also on a killer deal, so, why not?
You place the order and patiently anticipate its arrival. Fun fact: you’ve been a size 5 in shoes all your life, and suddenly this size 5 doesn’t fit. How is this possible? You followed the measurement guidelines on the website and were confident in your measurements.
There’s a huge chance that you might not get another size. A good deal rarely ever stays around for long. Not only do you have to return it and arrange for collection, but you also have to reorder and wait for delivery to see if it’s the right size this time. How dreadful, I know.
We’re here to help you NOT make this mistake by providing the information you need to make the right choice the first time.
Domestic sewing machine
A domestic sewing machine is a general home sewing machine generally used for hobby sewing. It is simple to use and can do many things like craft projects, sewing clothing, accessories, home furnishing, alterations, and much more. It is worth noting that these sewing machines are not designed for mass production and cannot operate for extended periods as it will lead to the motor heating up.
Industrial sewing machine
An industrial sewing machine is made for heavy-duty use at home and for your sewing business. It is intended to operate faster to achieve more productivity, particularly in mass production. When it comes to quality, the industrial machines are equipped with modern technology to ensure consistent manufacturing of better-quality clothing.
Industrial sewing machines allow you to sew for a long time without issues. It also allows you to sew with any material weight like woolens, knits, wovens, rubber, pleather, plastic, leather, canvas and synthetics. You can also easily sew things like slippers, dolls, boots, shoes, and so much more.
Here is a table summarizing the difference between the domestic and industrial sewing machines:
| Domestic Sewing Machine | Industrial Sewing Machine |
| This type of machine is ideal for home sewing. | This type of machine is ideal for heavy-duty sewing. |
| Due to the motor’s power, these machines can only sew for short periods. If used for longer periods it can result in the motor heating up. | This machine’s motor is designed for heavy-duty sewing, making it ideal for longer periods. You can sew for extended periods because the motor can handle prolonged use. |
| This machine is suitable for clothes, accessories and home furnishing. | This machine is suitable for boots, shoes, slippers, bags, upholstery, and dolls using thick materials like plastic, canvas, wovens, leather, rubber, pleather, synthetics, woolens and knits. |
| These machines can’t sew too many layers. | These machines can’t sew too many layers. |
Now you can ditch the sewing hassles and say hello to hassle-free sewing.
What tools do I need to get started with sewing?
To help you get started with your sewing journey, here are a few basic tools you will need:
Additionally, here are more details about why you need each tool:
Tape measure
This is one of the first few tools you will need to get started. A flexible tape measure can help you take body measurements and select the appropriate sewing pattern size.
Paper scissors
After you have selected your sewing pattern size you will need paper scissors to cut out your pattern pieces.
Tracing tools
These are optional and appropriate for those who would rather. It can lighten the effort a little and is beneficial to have. It is easy to test and make minor adjustments using the original template.
This approach will require you to use extra sewing supplies, such as colorful pens to indicate sizes on the original pattern pieces so you can see through the tracing paper.
Dressmaking tracing tools
You will also need tracing paper or something similar to trace the pattern onto.
Either use a pencil to reproduce the patterns directly, or spin a tracing wheel over the lines to generate little indentations that you can then trace over with your pencil.
By using rulers to draw the required lines, you may simplify your life and increase accuracy. A French curve is a helpful tool to have for curved lines, such sleeve heads.
Pins
Once your sewing pattern components are ready, pin them to the cloth. Believe it or not, there is a huge selection of pins to choose from.
Some people prefer to use conventional dressmakers pins, which have both a metal head and body. Others prefer glass or flower head pins since they are easy to see and remove. There are also long pins and pins designed for specific fabric types.
For a beginner, I recommend starting with a pack of glass head pins. They will allow you to do a variety of jobs while also being reasonably priced.
Marking pens, pencils or chalk
Now that the sewing pattern components have been attached to the fabric, you will need to transfer some lines onto the fabric, such as darts or pocket placement markings, as shown in the pattern.
I like to sew a tailor’s tack or drive a pin through the appropriate area, then mark a cross with a chaco pen. You might also use tailors’ chalk, a marking pen, or a pencil.
Any of these solutions would be perfect for a beginner, but it is ultimately a matter of personal preference.
Dressmaking scissors
It’s time to cut your fabric. They should cut through the fabric with little effort and stand the test of time. You shouldn’t cut corners when it comes to sewing supplies.
Small scissors or snips
To keep things tidy, clip off any loose thread ends using a little pair of scissors or snips.
Sewing machine needles
Depending on the fabric you are working with, a large selection of sewing machine needles are available.
A package of universal needles in a variety of sizes should be sufficient to get you started as a beginner. Your sewing machine can also come with a pack of needles and guidelines for the type of needles you will need.
Hand sewing needles
Having a packet of hand sewing needles in your essential sewing kit is a smart idea because many sewing projects need for a little hand sewing here and there.
Seam ripper
Errors are inevitable when you first start sewing and even if you are an experienced sewer. Fortunately, you can undo them by picking out the misplaced stitches with a seam ripper.
Occasionally, your sewing machine will come with one of these stitching tools.
Steam iron and ironing board
For professional results when pressing seams, an ironing board and a high-quality steam iron are essential.
Final thoughts
There is no simple answer to which machine to buy, but understanding the differences puts you closer to a conclusion.
Everything when it comes to picking a sewing machine is determined by its purpose. Your budget, available space, and other considerations will all influence what you buy.
If you plan to use your domestic sewing machine for little crafts, modifications, or gifts, a machine that can accomplish basic tasks would be perfect for you. However, if you want to utilize the machine for anything far more extensive, such as mass production, heavy-duty fabrics, and more, you might want to consider taking a closer look at the industrial sewing machine.
