According to my research, the sewing machine is the most remarkable innovation in history that has shaped the world of garments, upholstery, etc. Due to the need for time and the development of different designs, innovators have manufactured other sewing machines.
Consequently, there are dozens of sewing machines, each with a unique working feature. I have explained the 11 most common types of sewing machines with their images, functions, and other information.
Let’s start…
Details of 15 Common Types of sewing machines
1. Treadle Sewing Machine
- As the name suggests, this type of sewing machine is operated by a foot pedal that drives it.
- A conventional hand-operated sewing machine is mounted on the table and thus converts into treadle ones.
- It is used to sew slowly intentionally to make even stitches.
- However, it is rare nowadays but can be found in some tailor shops.
- You can operate this sewing machine by paddling continuously on the foot area, which is how it works.
- Since only foot movement is needed, it does not consume electricity.
- Furthermore, unlike today’s modern sewing machine brands, this one is hard to operate and will consume your energy.
- Sewists who run tailoring businesses, My recommendation is not for domestic use.
2. Domestic sewing machine
A domestic sewing machine is the most common type of machine found in households. It is a mechanical machine that is faster and more reliable than previous models. It is primarily used for domestic purposes, such as sewing clothes, and is operated via a foot pedal with various manual controls. It is a traditional and user-friendly machine that can be used to teach children how to sew.
- The most common type of sewing machine in a household is mechanical, which is faster, more reliable, and can sew fabrics faster than the previous type.
- You need to connect the foot pedal to a sewing machine and make them able to operate.
- They are more traditional and can stitch various fabrics for domestic uses.
- Its primary function is to sew clothes in homes for domestic use.
- There are different parts, such as levers, handwheels, power plugs, needles, presser feet, etc., and you can control each component manually. Plug it in, connect a foot pedal and connect the foot pedal motor. Thread the needle, place the fabric under the presser foot, lower it by pressing the lever by hand, and then press the foot pedal to stitch the material.
- Any sewer can use it but ensure you understand its parts and functions so you don’t damage them. Using this sewing machine, you can even teach children how to sew.
- These sewing machines are among the most user-friendly ones.
3. Serger sewing machine
- Serger sewing machines, also known as overlock machines, are significantly faster and, in most cases, different from a treadle and mechanical ones.
- Because Serger models bring three functions together into a single operation by stitching a seam, cutting extra seam allowance, and finally overcasting the edge for a more precise finish.
- Its primary function differs from traditional sewing machines as they make over-lock stitches, unlike others.
- The machine consumes multiple threads and comes with three or more thread spools/sources; together, they create professional-looking stitches.
- Body structure-wise, they are different and taller but smaller.
- They are mostly found in tailor shops, and you cannot use them at home, but if you can operate them, that’s fine.
4. Embroidery sewing machine
- As the name suggests, this machine produces embroidery artwork on embroidery-compatible materials.
- They are more expensive and advanced than domestic and Serger machines.
- They are larger, have a high accuracy rate, stability, flawless designs, etc.
- They are used to make embroidery designs within an embroidery blank with a needle holder that is free to move.
- Plugin, thread with specific type according to designs, place embroidery blanks on fabrics where you want to create designs, then start sewing.
- You can make designs by selecting a particular design on its touchscreen and uploading it with your USB.
- Anyone can use it to make embroidery designs at home, and tailors also use it to create designs for customers.
5. Quilting sewing machine
- The quilting sewing machine is used to make quilt works on fabrics.
- Unlike other sewing machines, they have a more extended arm where you can place larger fabrics for sewing.
- In general, you can use quilting sewing machines for everyday sewing work, and you can also use domestic or embroidery ones for quilting, but be sure you know how to use them.
- They are used to make quilt designs on fabrics.
- These sewing machines have extended arms and integrated needle down/up features.
- Everyone who can operate it can use it for quilting tasks.
6. Hand-Operated Sewing Machine
- They are the most common and widely used sewing machines from which other types have developed.
- Stitching is done manually by rotating the balance wheel clockwise.
- Sewing clothes is the primary objective of this sewing machine.
- Since they are operated manually, they are slower than other mechanical sewing machines.
- These machines have essential add-ons such as needles, presser feet, levers, balance wheels, and rotated clockwise handles to keep them running.
- Most of these sewing machines are found in countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, etc., but are less common in developed nations.
- Everyone at home and in the store. Due to their slowness, industries do not use them.
7. Electronic Sewing Machines
- Electric sewing machines are advanced and run on electricity.
- It is one of the fastest and most efficient sewing machines for sewing patches on jeans, canvas, tents, etc.
- Due to its working capacity, I also consider it an industrial sewing machine since it performs better and more quickly.
- They differ from mechanical domestic sewing machines because they do not have levers, manual switches, etc.
- It’s used to sew every fabric faster, more efficiently, and more professionally to increase productivity.
- This sewing machine has a screen on the front from which you can select stitch settings, stitch widths, etc., as well as buttons and dials for selecting settings.
- Initially, it’s a bit tricky to use, but once you get used to it, you’ll enjoy it.
8. Mini Sewing Machine
- It is one of the most compact and lightweight sewing machines, usually powered by batteries, but some models also use electricity.
- In most cases, parents order these sewing machines for their children to teach them sewing from a young age since they have intuitive interfaces and are easy to operate.
- Due to their size, they are also limited to small sewing projects such as mending and sewing DIY projects.
- I recommend using it only for small projects to prevent it from being damaged.
- They have simple interfaces, such as a needle, handwheel, knobs and buttons, and a few other settings.
- Only two to three stitches can be made with this sewing machine, making it less functional.
- Beginners and children who want to learn how to sew.
9. Computerized sewing machine
- Its body is similar to mechanical and electronic sewing machines, but the computerised ones have a larger touchscreen.
- They are the most advanced among all others since they allow you to select settings and sewing designs from their massive touchscreens.
- They come with USB ports, Wife, and Bluetooth, and you can control them directly from your mobile device.
- These sewing machines are versatile since you can use them for embroidery, quilting, simple mending, regular sewing, complex designs, etc.
- To make the work more accessible and time-consuming, you can also adjust its settings according to the type of fabric.
- Computerised sewing machines do not require pedals, as a start/stop button controls them.
- Furthermore, you can select any settings by simply clicking on the touchscreen on these machines.
- There are some advanced features on this sewing machine, such as an automatic needle threader, trimmer, bobbin winder, presser foot adjuster, etc. you can upload your designs from mobile to it via wireless connectivity.
- Any sewist who can afford it should use it since they are smoother and more reliable.
10. Handheld sewing machine
- These are the world’s most miniature sewing machines, operated by battery and sewn by hand to repair small tears in clothing, cuffs, etc.
- They are designed to reach places other sewing machines cannot.
- They are easy to operate in any sewing machine with the most specific settings.
- Sewing machines like these are the simplest ever made.
- Their compact bodies make them the lightest.
- You can use it to sew certain torn curtain parts without getting off the rail.
- Sewers of all types should have this since other sewing machines cannot do the work this can.
- With prices ranging from $9 to $50, handheld sewing machines are also the cheapest in the world.
11. Industrial sewing machine
- Industrial machines are the sturdiest and most long-lasting ones that can be operated at a whopping speed of 1600 SPM, making them extremely fast.
- Their purpose is to support the economy by producing fabrics at a mass level.
- Industrial sewing machines are used to sew different fabrics, including canvas, denim, leather, bags, car covers, and plastic.
- Since they are only used in industries, they are installed permanently on tables at specific distances from one another.
- Furthermore, they feature state-of-the-art technologies that can handle every fabric and situation.
12. Buttonhole stitch sewing machine
- These industrial sewing machines are used to stitch buttonholes on different fabrics.
- As a result, their finish is spotless and leaves no unwanted threads behind.
13. Blind Stitch sewing machine
- A type of industrial sewing machine used to create invisible or nearly invisible stitches on fabrics, so they appear attractive.
- These stitches are used on trousers, skirts, edges, etc.
14. Lockstitch sewing machine
- This type of sewing machine is primarily used for sewing lockstitch.
- A lock stitch is made when the upper thread from the needle interlocks with the lower thread from the bobbin at the hole the needle creates.
15. Chain Stitch sewing machine
- Chain-stitch sewing machines only make chain-stitch stitches and are less popular.
- Their advantage is that they can make decorative sewing designs, but their disadvantage is that they use up too much thread while making chain-like patterns.
Conclusion
I hope you have better understood the common types of sewing machines in 2023. To know which one is for you, you should read each.
I wrote the article after hours of research, so I hope you enjoy it and appreciate my efforts. Your comment about how this article helped you is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for reading