
Types of industrial sewing machines include the most advanced and fastest used to sew fabrics on a mass level. Among other Comman types of sewing machines, industrial ones are known for their efficiency and speed in completing large sewing projects.
These sewing machines make sewing thicker fabrics easier than ever before, allowing us to sew multiple layers, and more rigid materials like canvas, faux fur, etc., without any problems with sewing machine jamming.
At first, you may think that there are only one or two industrial sewing machines, but in this article, I will explain 13 different types, each with its intended use.
To get details of each one, read the below guide till the end.
First, What is an Industrial sewing machine?
These are specialized sewing machines packed with different advanced features and technology to make them able to sew faster for mass-level production of clothes, garments, etc.
More…
- Industrial sewing machines are the fastest, with a speed of around 1600 SPM.
- Industrial sewing machines have ample throat space between needles and tables to sew tough fabrics.
- They are made to meet the demands of sewing projects at the national or international level.
- In terms of a country’s GDP, they are one of the most important contributors.
Is that clear? Now, proceed towards the main discussion….
Types of industrial sewing machines and their uses in business 2023
1. Standard Industrial Sewing Machines

These are the most common and widely used industrial sewing machines. If you like sewing, you can find this sewing machine everywhere in shops, industries, and even at home.
These industrial sewing machines sew lighter, medium, and heavier fabrics more quickly than domestic or mechanical sewing machines.
2. Single Needle Lockstitch Sewing Machines

This industrial sewing machine has two threads, one coming from a needle and another from a bobbin, and interconnects to make a straight stitch on fabrics. Single needle lockstitch sewing machines make labels for dress shirts, and Class 31 are made with this machine.
3. Double Needle Lockstitch Sewing Machines

Double Needle Lockstitch Sewing Machines are precisely the same as Single Needle sewing machines, except they are equipped with two needles and two bobbins, making two parallel straight stitches separated by a uniform gap.
4. Multi-needle Chainstitch Sewing Machines

This industrial sewing machine uses more than two needles and bobbins. There are usually four to sixteen needles or even more, depending on the model of the device.
Many needles are hooked up to the needle bar, which is computer-controlled and can move from left to right, forwards, and backwards to produce quilting patterns.
Several layers of cushioning are stitched together with them. The number of needles on a multiple-needle sewing machine varies depending on the model and its intended task.
5. Overlock/Serger Sewing Machines

Overlock sewing machines, also known as Serger sewing machines, are one of the common models used to trim, sew, and overcast seams. With overlock sewing machines, you can sew with 3 threads, 4 threads, 5 threads, etc.
Sergers are intended for sewing edge seams and binding garment sides. You should use this sewing machine to weave fabrics, sew side edges on shirts, and stitch other materials.
Sawists can make stitches such as stitches class 503, stitches class 504, and class 512.
6. Button Attaching Sewing Machines

These industrial sewing machines are different as they are used to sew buttons on fabrics in factories. To sew buttons easily, you can adjust settings based on the size and number of holes on the button.
7. Buttonhole Sewing Machines

At first glance, you may think they are similar to Button Attaching Sewing Machines, but no. Buttonhole Sewing Machines make clean and uniform buttonholes so that buttons can pass through without getting stuck.
The buttonholer on this sewing machine creates buttonholes by moving from left to right as well as forward and backwards following the buttonhole setting you set.
In buttonhole sewing machines, you can choose the settings to make buttonholes of any size, shape, or depth.
8. Computer-controlled Cycle Sewing Machines

With computer-controlled sewing machines, you can select stitch options, speed, presser feet, threading, and movement with the touch of a button or touch screen on your computer.
Unlike ordinary industrial sewing machines, they have computers installed aside to select settings. Depending on the settings you choose, these sewing machines create different designs.
9. Flatlock Sewing Machines

It has 2-3 needles and is also known as a Cover-Stitch sewing machine. To make stitches like Class 406 on different fabrics and materials, two-needle threads are threaded through the textile and looped with one connecting thread.
10. Feed Off The Arm Sewing Machines

This specialised industrial sewing machine utilises a looper rather than a bobbin and can make chain stitches with more than one thread.
You can create single or multiple chain stitches with it depending upon the sewing machine brands, types, and designs.
The Feed Off The Arm sewing machines sew chain stitches on garments, sew shirt side seams, sew armholes, and sew jeans seams.
11. Zigzag sewing machines

They are used primarily to make zigzag stitches on fabrics, especially elastic materials, and their needle bar moves left to right in a zigzag movement.
It is also used to repair buttonholes, attach elastic material, and quickly join two work pieces together.
12. Bartack Sewing Machines

Bar tack sewing machines create a stitch that attaches a belt loop onto the waistline of all garments. Bar tack stitches are most often found in jeans’ belt loops.
It is commonly used for closing buttonholes, reinforcing pocket openings and closure bottoms, sewing belt loops, and at the ends of zippers.
13.Long-arm Sewing Machines

Longarm sewing machines have long throats between the needle and the throat. You can use them for quilting larger fabrics and large pieces of equipment. It’s a significant investment of time and space, and most sewers want one.
Conclusion
This concludes our article about different types of industrial sewing machines. Meanwhile, I hope you have learned plenty about industrial sewing machines and their styles and understand which type is right for you.
The best way to understand this blog is to read all the above information and check the pictures to see how these sewing machines appear.
THE END
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need all industrial sewing machines?
There are different types of industrial sewing machines available on the market, and among them, I have listed the 13 most popular styles. So, each one is used for its intended purpose, and no sewing machine can replace another, so it depends on your needs.
For example, if your industry requires double parallel straight stitching on fabrics, you need double needle lockstitch sewing machines. It is possible, however, to have all of these if your industry is large and diverse.
However, you don’t need all of them, first know your requirements, then choose one of them.
Can I use Single Needle Lockstitch Sewing Machines instead of Zigzag sewing machines?
In a word, NO. Single-needle sewing machines come with one needle and one bobbin and make straight stitches, while Zigzag sewing machines have specially designed needle bars that move left and right to make zigzag stitches.
How much are industrial sewing machines?
Since industrial sewing machines are built for longevity and intensive workload, they are comparatively more expensive than domestic or electrical sewing machines. A typical industrial sewing machine can cost from $250 to thousands of dollars, depending on its features.