Have you been hearing this weird sound when you press the pedal? Is there any smell of burning something?
or do you see the smoke coming out of your sewing machine sometimes?
or do you notice any strange thing when you sew thick fabric such as denim with your current sewing machine?
if this is so, you might be using your sewing machine for something that it isn’t made for. Maybe your sewing machine has to work beyond its capacity.
If you think you are going to use your sewing machine this much and for heavy fabrics, you must consider upgrading to a heavy-duty sewing machine.
The heavy use of a home sewing machine which is made for light use may lead to serious damage if you continue.
It is really simple to understand if you use any appliance beyond its capacity, it will start to heat up because all the parts of this appliance will have to do extra work.
The occasional heavy use (heavy I meant long hours of continuous use) of your sewing machine is ok but if you are going to use it heavily all the time, it will not work for long.
Hence it is recommended to have a heavy-duty sewing machine. Read the specifications of a sewing machine to understand its limitations and avoid it is overused.
Although heavy-duty sewing machines can easily stand long hours of their use.
Quick List of the Best Heavy-Duty Sewing Machines
| IMAGE | TYPE/Rating | PRICE |
Janome HD3000 |
Heavy-Duty Computerised
5.00/5.00 |
Check Price |
Singer 4423 |
Heavy-Duty Computerised
4.95/5.00 |
Check Price |
Brother ST371HD |
Heavy-Duty Computerised
4.90/5.00 |
Check Price |
SINGER 4432 |
Heavy-Duty Computerised
5.00/5.00 |
Check Price |
Janome HD1000 |
Heavy-Duty Computerised
4.95/5.00 |
Check Price |
Singer 4411 |
Heavy-Duty Computerised
4.95/5.00 |
Check Price |
Singer 4452 |
Heavy-Duty Computerised
4.95/5.00 |
Check Price |
Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine
If you have to sew thick materials such as denim, or leather or make a quilt, a heavy-duty sewing machine is one that can successfully complete the project, it can not be done by the home sewing machine which is made for light use only.
While the best home sewing machine can stitch as high as 600 stitches per minute, the heavy-duty sewing machine can go mighty higher.
A heavy-duty sewing machine can stitch up to 6000 stitches per minute. You can imagine how powerful a heavy-duty sewing machine is as compared to those used at home normally.
The heavy-duty sewing machines are comparatively heavier in weight than a home sewing machine and are attached to a sturdy wooden table.
Such kind of sewing machine has to be installed on a sturdy table and kept in a fixed place, it is not easily movable.
The weight of a commercial heavy-duty sewing machine can be as high as 30-40 pounds and more.
Also see: Best Sewing Machine for Quilting
The heavy-duty sewing machine is an ideal choice for making buttonholes, upholstery, blinds, making quilt, and sewing materials like canvas, denim, and leather.
While the home sewing machine can be purchased for a low price, for a heavy-duty sewing machine, you will have to spend a good amount of money to get a good one.
So if you are looking to purchase a heavy-duty sewing machine but have no idea which one is good in terms of durability, dependability, versatility, and yet cost-effective, don’t worry.
We will help you choose the best heavy-duty sewing machine. We’ve listed here some really good heavy-duty sewing machines that you consider buying.
Take a look at the reviews of these sewing machines and understand which one best suits your requirements.
Best Heavy-Duty Sewing Machines
The reviews by the customers for a particular sewing machine give us an idea of how good or bad of a sewing machine it is.
Hence, reading reviews and doing little online research can help you choose a good sewing machine.
Although, as you are reading this article, you can rest assured that the sewing machines we’ve picked in this article are the best in the whole United States.
Hence, you don’t have to look anywhere and spend your valuable time researching a good heavy-duty sewing machine.
Janome HD3000 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine with 18 Built-In Stitches– Our Choice!
Janome is a well-known brand for heavy-duty sewing machines and it is known for making commercial sewing machines that are used in industries to perform heavy tasks.
The sewing machine they produce lasts years to come and have interesting features.
Though you might have to pay a little bit extra money for Janome brands sewing machine.
If I talk about this particular model, ie. Janome HD3000 heavy duty sewing machine, it is a costlier sewing machine among all that I’ve reviewed but it worths spending that much money.
With 18 built-in stitches pattern, you have enough choices to make different stitch patterns.
The machine because of its weight which is around 19 pounds remains still even when you sew at a full speed fast.
Key Features at a Glance:
- 17 built-in stitches patterns.
- Built-in needle threader.
- One-step automatic buttonhole.
- Stitch in reverse with lever
- Adjustable presser foot pressure.
- Heavy-duty metallic frame.
- Free Arm for cuffs and sleeves.
Review
This sewing machine might not be a cheap heavy duty sewing machine but it worths every cent you spend.
You wouldn’t find any sewing machine sturdier than Janome HD3000 heavy duty sewing machine.
With 17 built-in stitches patterns, you can decorate your projects with different stitch patterns. It comes with One-step automatic buttonhole that can help you make buttonhole quite easily and quickly.
As far as the machine design is concern, it is just perfect. At least for me! The metallic frame and the dimensions 11 x 7 x 16” is what you would be needing for a heavy-duty sewing machine.
It comes with features like Free Arm, Adjustable presser foot pressure, Reserve Stitch, built-in needle threader, thread cutter, 7 feet feed dog, etc.
Also see: Best Embroidery Machines
You can pretty easily stitch layers of normal (light) fabric or canvas, denim as well. You can also easily stitch synthetic leather which is considered one of the thickest fabrics, not much heavy duty sewing machines are good at this despite seller’s claims regarding the same.
PROS:
- Heavy-duty metal frame
- Durable and versatile.
- Free Arm for making pants ham, cuffs and collars.
- Beautiful Design gives a premium look in your sewing room.
CONS:
- Limited built-in stitches.
To summarise I’d say, Janome HD3000 sewing machine is a bit costlier but it worth spending money. Once bought, it lasts for years to come without any problem.
It is one of the best heavy duty sewing machines for canvas, denim, and to sew several layers of thick fabrics together. I wouldn’t mind spending money to buy this Gem.
SINGER 4423 Heavy Duty Model Sewing Machine-Best for Medium Budget
Whether you need to buy a home sewing machine or heavy-duty sewing machine, Singer is one of the reliable brands that make really good machines.
Singer 4423 Heavy Duty sewing machine is an ideal choice for sewing fabrics like denim and several layers of fabrics together.
This sewing machine can make the quilt with ease without having you to make many adjustments.
With 23 built-in stitches and the ability to stitch 1,100 stitches per minute is what makes this sewing machine a good choice.
There are several variants under this 44’s series and every sewing machine has its own specialty. Take a look at the features of the Singer 4423 Heavy duty sewing machine.
Singer 4423 Features at a Glance:
- 23 built-in Stitches
- Capable of stitching 1100 stitches per minute
- Smoother drop-in Bobbin
- 1 step fully automatic buttonholes
- Metallic Frame
- Free Arms for Cuff and Sleeves
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
- Automatic Needle threader
- 17.5 pounds in weight
Review:
This is not a bad choice if you are looking for a mid-price range heavy duty sewing machine. For this price, you get several interesting features that you wouldn’t find in any other sewing machine.
The weight of this sewing machine is about 18 pounds that give you a stable sewing environment.
With 1 step fully automatic buttonholes system you can make beautiful buttonholes with ease. The easy top drop-in bobbin gives makes it easy to use a sewing machine.
The free arm feature is yet another great feature that helps you make cuffs, sleeves, and collars with ease.
The Adjustable foot presser pressure, Automatic needle threader are some of the other key features of the Singer 4423 heavy-duty sewing machine.
SINGER 4423 would make a great choice for those who don’t like a computerized sewing machine and those push buttons for controlling the speed, stitch selection, and for the adjustment of stitch length & width. This sewing machine has manual controls and it can be an advantage for some people who prefer them.
There are big dials for stitch selection and to adjust the stitch length on the front of this sewing machine. There is a small liver for reverse stitching as well.
The machine has got a Metallic frame and stainless steel bedplate for easy and smooth sewing experience. It comes with 25 years of limited warranty and accessories like a screwdriver, bobbins, needles, zipper foot, etc.
PROS:
- Heavy duty metal frame
- Durable and versatile.
- Free Arm for making pants ham, cuffs, and collars.
- Beautiful Design gives a premium look in your sewing room.
CONS:
- Limited built-in stitches.
Overall Singer 4423 heavy duty sewing machine is a value for the money. Once you get used to of this sewing machine, you can make the most of out of it.
Brother ST371HD Strong and Tough Sewing Machine with 37 Stitches – Best Brother Heavy duty Machine!
If you are a fan of the Brother brand and looking for Brother’s heavy-duty sewing machine that doesn’t hurt your pocket much, then Brother ST371HD strong and tough sewing machine is a very good choice.
While you need not spend much money on this sewing machine, you still get several interesting features that you may not get with other sewing machines under this price range.
It comes with 37 built-in stitches pattern and the ability to stitch at 800 stitches per minute.
Its strong and tough body keeps the machine remain still even at the time of fast sewing. Take look at the key features quickly.
Key features at a Glance:
- 37 built-in stitches.
- Able to make 800 stitches per minute
- Brightly lit sewing area.
- Smooth top drop-in bobbin system.
- Easily stitch several layers of fabric.
- 1-Step automatic buttonhole for making buttonholes
- Change the stitch pattern with a dial.
- Free arm for cuffs & sleeves
- Easy threading
- Automatic needle threader
- Six different feet
Review:
If you are looking for a Brother sewing machine under your budget, the brother ST371HD sewing machine is one of the options you can consider buying. Its a heavy and tough sewing machine that doesn’t shake when you sew faster.
Its jam-resistant top drop-in bobbin is easy to set up and works pretty well as you go about your sewing your masterpiece.
The one-step automatic buttonhole helps you make buttonholes in seconds. There is a 37 built-in stitch pattern to use a different one for different crafting projects.
You can easily select the stitch style with the dial given on the right side of this sewing machine. With a free arm, you can make sleeves and cuffs without any problem.
The sewing machine has a metal plate that helps with smooth feeding of fabric as you sew. Its compact design makes it easy to store and a good choice for those who have limited storage space.
This sewing machine can sew at 800 stitches per minute speed as compared to Singer 4432 heavy duty sewing machine which can stitch 1,100 stitches per minute. The work area is pretty well illuminated by LED to help you stitch under the bad light.
PROS:
- Heavy duty metal frame
- Durable, Dependable and Versatile.
- 1 step automatic buttonhole.
- 37 built-in stitches.
CONS:
- No thread tension controller.
It is a versatile, durable and dependable sewing machine. The machine is pretty easy to setup and use. Its heavy duty metal frame gives skip-free stitching. Also, the price is pretty much affordable.
SINGER Sewing 4432 Heavy Duty Extra-High Speed Sewing Machine
This is yet another great sewing machine manufactured by Singer Corporation. If you are looking for additional features than Singer 4423, then Singer 4432 sewing machine is the one you should go for.
Although both the sewing machines are almost the same in size and weight but Singer 4432 has a few extra features that I’ll be discussing in this post.
Singer 4432 heavy duty sewing machine can sew piles of cloth and materials like Canvas, Denim with ease.
You have the Free arm feature to run the sewing machine slow when you are making cuffs, sleeves. Its 32-built-in stitches for different purposes is what makes this sewing machine a good choice over SINGER 4423 and for heavy-duty sewing machine buyers.
Features at a Glance:
- 32 Built-in Stitches: 18 decorative stitches pattern, 7 stretch stitches, 6 basic ones, and 1 buttonhole.
- Capable of making 1,100 stitches per minute.
- Top drop-in Bobbin system with transparent view cover.
- 1-step automatic buttonhole for making buttonholes.
- Automatic needle threader
- A stainless steel bedplate for better sewing experience
- Heavy Metallic Frame (body).
- Automatic reverse
Review:
In my list of the heavy-duty sewing machine, this is another great machine from the company Singer.
This particular model looks very much similar to Singer 4423 except for the built-in stitches, the weight, and most importantly – Top drop-in bobbin system with Transparent view cover.
This model of the Sewing machine costs a bit extra because of the feature that I’ve mentioned. The 32 built-in stitches give you the flexibility to make different style stitches. It comes with 1 step auto buttonhole feature as well.
The Automatic reverse let you sew in reverse and the stainless steel bedplate allows you to slide the fabric easily.
The smooth top drop-in bobbin system with a transparent view cover lets you view the bobbin working while you stitch fabric. It is also very helpful in monitoring the supply of the thread through the bobbin.
PROS:
- Heavy duty metal frame.
- 1 step automatic buttonhole.
- Transparent cover plate for monitoring the supply of thread through the bobbin.
- 32 built-in stitches.
CONS:
- Manual controls.
To summarise, you can choose to buy this model and not Singer 4423 if you need more built-in stitches and features like transparent view cover. The 44s series sewing machines are compact and dont need big space for the storage.
Janome HD1000 Mechanical Sewing Machine
This is the second sewing machine from Janome that has been able to secure a place in our list of the best heavy duty sewing machines.
Janome company like I said before is known for making some really good heavy duty sewing machines and Janome HD1000 is one of them.
Its a mechanical sewing machine means you’ll have manual controls to adjust various settings, unlike the computerized heavy duty sewing machines that come with automatic features and touchscreen to make the settings.
Being a mechanical heavy duty sewing machine is an advantage to some people because they feel the mechanical sewing machines give more control over the sewing machines than those with automatic features.
Though, it could be a disadvantage for some other people. It depends on the choice of a person.
Features at a Glance:
- Mechanical heavy duty sewing machine.
- 14 built-in stitches.
- 4 step auto buttonholes.
- Cast aluminum body frame for durability.
- Free Arm features for cuffs and sleeves.
- Automatic needle threader.
- Drop feed.
Review
Janome HD1000 is a great sewing machine for stitching heavy materials like denim and canvas. It has successfully passed our test and we recommend this sewing machine for all who want to buy a reliable, durable heavy-duty sewing machine.
It has 14 built-in stitches which are not too many as compared to other heavy-duty sewing machines. It can be a disadvantage of this heavy-duty sewing machine for those who are looking for more built-in stitches.
The 4 steps automatic buttonhole makes attaching buttons super simple. It comes with a built-in needle threader that allows you to push the thread through the eyes of the needle quickly and conveniently. It also comes with a FREE ARM feature for making collars, cuffs, and sleeves.
The cast aluminum body frame accounts for the durability of this sewing machine. It means you will use this sewing machine for many years to come. It has a front-loading bobbin which is a good feature for those who don’t like a top drop-in bobbin.
PROS:
- Nice design.
- Heavy aluminum metal frame.
- Free Arm.
CONS:
- Limited built-in stitches.
This is a powerful heavy duty sewing machine which can stand heavy use of this sewing machine without any problem. Hence, buying this sewing machine wouldn’t be a regretful decision.
SINGER Heavy Duty 4452 Sewing Machine with Accessories
We couldn’t stop ourselves from including SINGER 4452 heavy duty sewing machine in our list because it offers a variety of features making it an ideal choice.
There are some really good features like a 60% more powerful motor and 48% faster-stitching speed than other comparable heavy duty sewing machines.
This is one of the siblings of 44’s series SINGER heavy duty sewing machines and costlier than the other 3 models.
It is because of the fact that the SINGER 4452 sewing machine has more number of built-in stitches and other functions as an automatic needle threader and it comes with accessories as the walking foot, 5 pack needles, all-purpose foot, and many more.
Features at a Glance:
- 60% more powerful motor.
- 48% faster speed.
- 1,100 stitches per minute speed.
- Automatic needle threader.
- Easy threading system.
- Easy to load top drop-in bobbin.
Review
Just like other models, SINGER 4452 has a heavy-duty metallic frame that lasts for many years to come. The sturdy heavy body offers the stability that helps with skip-free stitching.
This heavy-duty sewing machine has 32 built-in stitches out of which you have 18 decorative stitches, 7 stretches 6 basic, and 1 single step automatic buttonholes.
When it comes to the stitching speed, 44s series sewing machines are beasts. Like its siblings, SINGER 4452 heavy-duty sewing machine sew at a speed of 1,100 stitches per minute.
With 60% more powerful motor, metallic heavy-duty metal frame, and 48% faster-stitching speed, you will be able to stitch almost any type of home fabric without facing any problem.
Apart from that, it comes with an easy threading system with an automatic needle threader, easy to load top drop-in bobbin, stainless steel bedplate that helps in pushing the fabric forward smoothly and swiftly.
The accessories include all types of foot, needle packs, sew driver, auxiliary spool pin, seam ripper, bobbin, quilting guide, etc. It is shipped with a machine cover that helps you keep your sewing machine duty free.
PROS:
- 60% more powerful motor.
- Fast stitching speed.
- Heavy duty metal frame.
CONS:
- Manual controls.
SINGER 4452 can be a good choice for those who trust SINGER brands and looking for a heavy-duty sewing machine. It comes with 60% more powerful motor and 48% powerful stitching speed. Read the in-depth review.
What do you need in Heavy Duty Sewing Machine?
As I said above if you are doing too much use of a home sewing machine, you may need to consider upgrading to a heavy-duty sewing machine.
The home sewing machine is generally made for light use such as sewing your torn shirt or making a dress for your kid with a light fabric.
If you need to sew materials like Denim, Leather, or make a quilt, then you must have to get heavy-duty sewing machines because home sewing machines aren’t capable of handling such thick material.
If you try sewing such thick material with a home sewing machine, it might sew initially but after a few minutes the part will start to give a weird sound and you might see the smoke coming out of your sewing machine.
The home sewing machine’s parts will then have to do extra work that will cause your machine to be damaged after a while.
The needle of a home sewing machine, the threading system, and the speed of stitching isn’t meant for heavy stitching.
So if you see the need for heavy sewing, whether it is about continuous use for several hours in a day or about sewing thick materials like denim or leather, get a heavy-duty sewing machine.
You necessarily need not spend too much money on a heavy-duty sewing machine, there are several good options (in terms of price) you can choose from.
Buying Guide
In this buyer’s guide, you’ll learn how to choose a heavy-duty machine for yourself. Read this guide completely and you’ll be able to select the cheap and best sewing machine.
There are several things you need to keep in mind while selecting a heavy-duty sewing machine
Let’s see what are those…
Know the Purpose
First of all, you need to know the purpose of buying a sewing machine. Whether you need a sewing machine for regular & small sewing tasks or for heavy usage and for heavy material like Canvas or Denim.
These types of sewing machines come with limited features such as limited built-in stitches. While SINGER 4423 heavy duty sewing machine has only 23 built-in stitches, SINGER 9960 comes with 600 built-in stitches.
If you’ll be making items with thick material, you should go for a heavy-duty sewing machine, otherwise, you can go for a normal sewing machine. Although heavy-duty machines can also be used for normal home sewing projects.
So you need to decide what purpose you’ll be using the sewing machine for.
Type of Sewing Machine – Mechanical/Computerised
In our other post, we’ve explained the types of sewing machines that you can opt for. There are mainly three types of sewing machines, Mechanical, Computerized, and an Electronic sewing machine. There is no big difference between a computerized sewing machine and a mechanical one.
Go through the post and you’ll be able to know the difference. Once, you know the difference, you will get to know whether you should go for a mechanical heavy duty sewing machine or a computerized one.
Although for heavy-duty tasks, I’d recommend a mechanical sewing machine because they are sturdy and generally come with a heavy-duty metal frame that gives you skip-free stitching. The machines we have reviewed in this post are mostly mechanical sewing machines.
Built-in Stitches
Get to know the number of built-in stitches of the selected sewing machine. While a basic heavy duty sewing machine can have a low as 11 built-in stitches as SINGER 4411 sewing machine, the other one can have 37 and more.
More the number of built-in stitches, the more choice you’ll have for your masterpiece. You will be able to use different stitch patterns for different projects. Although it might add up to the overall cost of the sewing machine.
Hence, don’t overlook and end up paying extra money to get more built-in stitches when you are not going to use them.
Body Frame
Go for a sturdy sewing machine that has a metallic body frame. Some of the sewing machines have an aluminum body frame the other comes with the iron body.
These types of sewing machines are meant to perform long hours of daily tasks and need to sew thick materials, hence to get skip-free stitching, you must go for the sewing machine with a heavy-duty metal frame.
Stitching speed
Check the stitching speed of your sewing machine. It can vary from 600 stitches per minute to 1,100 stitches per minute. If you love to sew slow and fast stitching speed is not a concern for you, go for one that has decent stitching speed.
While Brother ST371HD can sew at 800 SPM, SINGER 4423 is a real workhorse and can go up to 1,100 stitches per minute speed.
Other Important features
Check what other features the sewing machine has to offer. The features like Automatic needle threader, thread cutter, easy to set bobbin, reverse stitching, thread tension controller, easy bobbin winding, the Free arm will make the stitching a great experience
Warranty
The Warranty is an important thing to pay attention to. Check with the vendor what warranty a particular sewing machine comes with.
I’ve reviewed a lot of sewing machines on this blog and found most of the companies offer 25 years of limited warranty.
It means during this period, if your sewing machine has any problem, take it to the service center and they will fix it free of cost.
Budget
The other and the most important point is the budget. Everyone has a set budget for purchasing an item and you must have one too. Look for the sewing machine that has all the required features and fits in your budget.
For a basic sewing machine, you’ll have to pay a limited price but for the advanced one, you need to be ready to spend a hefty amount of money.
How a heavy-duty sewing machine differs from a regular sewing machine?
The purpose of a heavy-duty sewing machine is different from that of normal sewing machines.
Most importantly, the body frame and the ability to sew heavy materials such as Canvas, Denim, Synthetic leather, and layers of fabrics.
While the normal sewing machine is used for general stitching needs such as making dresses for a toddler with silk or cotton fabric, the heavy-duty sewing machines are good for repairing ripped denim jeans, handbags, or wall hangs made of canvas.
Heavy-duty sewing machines are durable, reliable, heavy in weight and mostly used in industries to carry out long-lasting work for the whole day. Your normal sewing machine cannot stand the heavy use of it.
Upon, continuous use, the regular sewing machine’s parts start to make a strange sound, and sometimes, they get jammed.
Heavy-duty machines are generally mechanical sewing machines while the home sewing machine can be either mechanical, computerized, or electronic sewing machines.
They have manual controls such as slides and big dials to select the stitch and adjust the length of the stitches.
It is done by pushing a button or through the LCD touchscreen in the case of computerized sewing machines.
They are more powerful than normal sewing machines. For example, the SINGER 4452 sewing machine that I’ve included in this list has a 60% more powerful motor than other normal sewing machines giving the machine extra power to stitch thick fabric without any problem.
Since they are commercial sewing machines, they can sew at a faster speed than home sewing machines.
Advantages and disadvantages of Sewing Machine
If we talk about the advantages and disadvantages of a heavy-duty sewing machine, it varies from person to person.
The heavy-duty sewing machine offers you a stable sewing environment since you don’t move it from one place to another often because of its heavy weight.
The other advantage of a heavy-duty sewing machine is its durability. It is going to last for years to come because heavy-duty sewing machines are mainly made from materials like Steel, Iron, etc, unlike home sewing machines which are generally made of plastic.
Not just the parts, the whole body of a heavy-duty sewing machine is made up of steel/iron which means it will last for years.
The heavy-duty sewing machine can stitch faster than your home sewing machine skipping fewer stitches and offering you a good experience overall.
It can make a quilt, buttonholes blind pretty easily, and sew thick material without any problem.
The heavy-duty sewing machine can cost you a bit extra money but it’s worth spending that much money because it lasts for years.
The higher the cost of a sewing machine is not a disadvantage because the better the product, the higher the price!
The cost of a heavy-duty sewing machine can vary from $200 to $10,000 depending on the features, specifications, and brand.
You just need to figure out the purpose of buying a sewing machine and select one that serves the purpose.
The other thing to note is that, since heavy-duty sewing machines are slightly heavier than home sewing machines, it wouldn’t be possible to use them as portable sewing machines. They are meant to be fixed someplace permanently.
Frequently asked questions
Final Verdict
The heavy-duty sewing machines are meant to perform heavy-duty tasks and they can stand long hours of use per day.
Although most of these types of sewing machines come with manual control which could be an advantage for some people, others may not like it.
We have spent hours on research and handpicked the market’s best sewing machines to choose from.
You can pick any one of them based on your needs and requirements provided the chosen model fits your budget.
