Many people ask us if they need to buy a special sewing machine for upholstery, and the answer is yes and no.
If you’re planning to make your own custom slipcovers, then yes, you’ll need a sewing machine that can do heavy-duty work, since the fabric you’ll be working with will often be quite thick.
However, with that said, you don’t necessarily have to buy an entirely new machine. For example, if you already own a machine that does decorative stitches, you are in luck.
Most decorative stitches use a similar thread tension (the amount of pressure needed to pull the needle through the fabric), so you’re not going to have to change any settings to sew through upholstery fabric.
While you can sew with a standard sewing machine for most projects, if you want to tackle upholstery, the next step is to buy an upholstery machine.
However, before you jump in and buy one, there are a few things to think about in order to make sure you get a machine that is right for you, and that will last a long time.
Features to consider when choosing a sewing machine for upholstery
When choosing a sewing machine for upholstery, there are many options to consider.
A sewing machine is used to join fabric together with thread, commonly by a straight stitch, a zigzag stitch, or one of many other stitches available on a machine.
Sewing machines can finish an edge or turn a hem, sew on buttons or other fasteners, and perform many other sewing tasks.
A good machine for your needs will depend on the type of sewing you want to do, your experience level, and of course the prices you are willing to pay.
Sewing machines are an important investment for any upholsterer or DIY upholsterer. Thus, it is important to make the right choice when buying a sewing machine for upholstery.
How to choose the right sewing machine for upholstery? For this, we need to take into account some criteria.
These criteria are based on the features that the machine must possess: it should have a strong motor for sewing thicker materials, it should have a lot of stitch options and at the same time it should be easy to use.
The addition of an automatic needle threader is also a plus.
Number of built-in stitches
Some sewing machines offer more built-in stitches than others, and the more built-in stitches a machine has the more versatile it is.
But how many built-in stitches should you look for in a sewing machine? You generally want a machine that has at least a straight stitch and a zigzag stitch.
These are the two most common stitches and most projects will require one or both of them. An automatic buttonhole is also nice to have, but it isn’t necessary unless you’re planning to sew buttonholes on a regular basis.
With machines at this price point, you should also look for a needle threader. This is a feature that makes it easy to thread the needle.
Stitch length and width
Upholstery sewing machines are larger, heavier, and more powerful than a standard household sewing machine.
That’s because they are designed to sew tough materials like leather and vinyl.
To get the job done, they have extra features that come in handy when sewing upholstery, such as a heavy-duty motor and a walking or free arm motion. When choosing a sewing machine for upholstery, look for one that has a higher stitch length and width than a standard machine.
Upholstery fabric is usually thicker than most other fabrics, and sewing through it can be a challenge.
The thickness of the fabric can cause your sewing machine to skip stitches or break. The best way to handle thick fabric is to use a machine with a heavy-duty motor.
This type of machine can handle large amounts of fabric without the stitches being affected.
Build, frame, and stability
When you are buying a new sewing machine there are many things you should consider, and build, frame and stability.
There are a few different things to look for when evaluating these aspects of a machine. When looking at the frame of a sewing machine there are a few things to keep in mind.
- The sewing machine should be made of strong durable material like cast metal.
- The sewing machine table should be flat enough to build accuracy into your projects.
- The machine should be well balanced.
- The sewing machine should be durable and last for a long time.
Dimensions and weight
When considering what kind of sewing machine to purchase for upholstery, you’ll want to take into consideration the size and weight of the machine.
There are two primary reasons why you’ll want to consider the dimensions and weight of your sewing machine.
One is for the sake of convenience, and the other is for safety.
First and foremost, you’ll want to select a machine that is comfortable to hold and use.
How heavy the machine is will likely play a large role in this.
If you plan on spending a lot of time sewing, then a lightweight machine will make things easier.
Likewise, if you’re sewing with some frequency, then a flexible machine will be ideal.
Extra features and accessories included with the machine
When you want to work with upholstery materials, like leather or vinyl, you will need a sewing machine that is designed for this type of work.
The best way to choose a machine for upholstery work is to consider your sewing needs, the type of material you plan to sew and the extra features and accessories the machine will come with.
Before buying a sewing machine for upholstery, check the extra features and accessories included with the machine when choosing a sewing machine for upholstery.
Extra features and accessories can make up for certain capabilities that are lacking in other features. If you are a beginner, make sure to buy a sewing machine that includes a variety of accessories.
In Conclusion
We all want to sew and create beautiful things from our imagination, and there are so many sewing machines to choose from it can be quite a confusing task. The best advice we can give when looking for a machine is to do your homework.
Consider the type of sewing you want to do as well as the materials and types of fabrics you will be sewing with, and use this guide along with the internet to give you an idea of the type of sewing machine you are looking for.
