When you are looking to purchase a new sewing machine, you might think that a professional machine is better. In your mind, purchasing an industrial sewing machine might imply durability, reliability and a long-term investment vs a domestic one.

But, is that true?

In this post, we will explore the differences between an industrial sewing machine and a domestic one to help you make a more informed decision.

The basic difference between a domestic and industrial sewing machine

An industrial sewing machine is a sewing machine that is designed for heavy-duty use. It is built to sew through thick materials, such as multiple layers of fabric, leather, and canvas. Industrial sewing machines are also built to sew at high speeds, making them ideal for production work.

A domestic sewing machine, on the other hand, is a sewing machine that is designed for light to medium-duty use. It can sew through multiple layers of fabric but is not built to sew through thick materials like leather and canvas. Domestic sewing machines typically have a lower sewing speed than industrial machines.

Below we will go into more detail on the:

  • Maintenance
  • Cost
  • Weight
  • Speed
  • Stitch quality
  • Durability
  • Features

How easy are they to maintain?

Another difference between industrial and domestic sewing machines is how easy they are to maintain. Industrial sewing machines are designed to be easy to maintain, with parts that can be easily replaced and repaired. This is all dependent on the brand and issue.

Domestic sewing machines, on the other hand, can be more difficult to maintain. This is because they often have more intricate designs, making it difficult to access the parts that need to be repaired or replaced. Similarly, different brands and issues affect the complexity of the fix.

The ability of the user and the type of machine are two factors when considering which is the easiest to maintain. In order to be safe you should send your machine to an expert who can service, fix and maintain your sewing machine. At Direct Sewing Machines we have been repairing and servicing sewing machines for years. Contact us today and we can discuss your needs.

What is the difference in cost?

The price tag is usually the first thing that comes to mind when making any kind of purchase. When it comes to sewing machines, there is a big difference in cost between industrial and domestic machines.

In general industrial machines are more expensive, that being said domestic sewing machines can be pricy. Our cheapest domestic machine is the Singer Compact M2105 at £125. The most expensive domestic machine we have is the Brother P1055X 10-Needle Embroidery at £9,999, significantly more expensive than our most pricy industrial machine, the JUKI TSC-441 Heavy Duty Cylinder Arm at £7,110. Whereas our cheapest industrial straight stitch machine is the Jack F4 Direct Drive Silent Motor at the reasonable price of £465.

All prices are subject to change.

Do industrial sewing machines weigh more than domestic?

The weight of the machine is another factor to consider when making your purchase. Industrial sewing machines are built to sew through thick materials, which means that they are usually heavier than domestic machines. The heavy-duty construction also makes them less portable, which can be a problem if you need to move your machine around frequently. In fact, most will be designed to stay in one place, fixed to a counter or worktop, which assists with the stitch quality and durability of the machine.

Domestic sewing machines, on the other hand, are designed to be lightweight and portable. This makes them ideal for sewers who need to move their machines around frequently or those who don’t have a lot of storage space.

What is the difference in speed?

The sewing speed is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing between an industrial and domestic machine. Industrial sewing machines are built to sew at high speeds for their intended purpose, making them ideal for repetitive tasks or production work. Domestic sewing machines typically have a lower sewing speed, which is more suitable for light to medium-duty use.

What is the difference in stitch quality?

The stitch quality is another important factor to consider when choosing between an industrial and domestic machine. If you purchase an industrial sewing machine like the JUKI DU1181 Walking Foot you will get high-quality stitches on heavy-duty, thick material. However, if you use the same machine for lighter material the quality may be worse than some domestic machines. What would perform better is an industrial machine like the Jack C4-4 4-Thread Automatic Overlocker.

Domestic sewing machines typically have a lower stitch quality, which is more suitable for light to medium-duty use. As mentioned above, some might have a better stitch quality than industrial machines designed for a specific purpose. The stitch quality will entirely depend on the usage and settings you use when working on different fabrics.

Are industrial machines more durable?

The durability of the machine is another factor to consider when making your purchase. If you only use your industrial sewing machine for its intended purpose it will last you much longer, the heavy-duty construction that can withstand years of use performing its designed task. Domestic sewing machines typically have lower durability, which is something to keep in mind if you plan on using your machine frequently. Simply because they are designed to perform various sewing tasks, as domestic machines will be stronger in some aspects than others.

What is the difference in features?

In addition to being built for different purposes, industrial and domestic sewing machines also have different features. Industrial sewing machines typically have more stitch options than domestic machines. They also have a higher sewing speed and are more durable. Specifically, industrial machines have one or two specialities. We sell seven types of industrial sewing machines:

  • Buttonhole: designed to stitch various patterns of buttonholes in clothing whether that is dress shirts, work wear, t-shirts, blouses, or sweaters
  • Cover stitch: mainly used for hemming and topstitching knits, ideal for stretchy materials, like sportswear or lycra
  • Automatic: usually these have computerised features, like automatic thread trimming or automatic back-tack
  • Overlock: using multiple threads to seam fabrics and overcasting raw edges, otherwise known as a serger
  • Straight stitch: the most basic sewing machine function to stitch two fabrics together 
  • Walking foot: ideal for sewing thick, or heavy, materials with ease, especially two pieces of heavy fabric together
  • Zig zag: as the name suggests, this type of machine creates a zig-zag pattern, various machines do various sizes

Domestic sewing machines typically have more features that are designed for convenience, such as automatic threading and needle positioning.

Where can you buy or sell industrial and domestic sewing machines?

At Direct Sewing Machines we both buy and sell your industrial or domestic sewing machines. All our machines are fully operational and serviced by our mechanics who have over 20 years of experience in the industry.

So, which type of sewing machine should you buy? If you are planning on doing a lot of sewing, or if you need to sew through thick materials, then an industrial sewing machine is a good choice. If you only need to sew light to medium-duty materials, then a domestic sewing machine will suffice.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to what you need to use the machine for. If in doubt call us on 0207 738 9040 or email enquiries@thesewingcentre.co.uk.