Sewing Machine Types
Sewing machines are now available in various models such as domestic model, tailor model, industrial model, portable and cabinet models. They may be operated by hand, treadle or electric motor.
Hand – Operated Sewing Machine:
This is the simplest form of sewing machine which is operated by hand. A detachable handle provided to the flywheel is used to operate the machine. This machine is generally suitable for domestic purpose because it does not help in speeding up the work.
Treadle Sewing Machine:
This machine is exactly like the hand sewing machine but it is operated by foot using an additional stand. In this type the balance wheel is operated by a belt with the help of lower stand, which is driven by feet. This machine operates faster than that of the hand-operated machine. This machine is suitable where there is no power supply. When handling this machine both the hands are free to handle the fabric, speeding up the work. Even some of the heavy-duty machines are operated by this method.
Electric Sewing Machine:
This is the fastest sewing machine. One needs practice to handle it. In an electric machine the balance wheel comes to motion by a belt, which is attached to an electric motor.
Computerized sewing machine
Computerized sewing machines can make as many as 7 different types of buttonholes made in one step, a lot of decorative stitches that you will never use in your entire life, automatic needle threading, LCD display screen on the front with easy-to-use stitch selector usually in the form of convenient switches, speed control etc. Understandably it is a lot more expensive than any other models.
Mini sewing machines
A mini sewing machine is a sewing machine that is portable and very very small and sews a straight line, enough to sew up alterations, repairs, adjustments, and simple sewing projects
Media is full of advertisements for these machines which take up so much less space, and are so cheap and claims to sew up everything including home furnishings and clothes. Some come with zigzag stitching along with the straight stitching.
To be frank, I have not owned one, nor do I see myself owning one but after talking to one who have used this – it may not be very durable and does not sew over even moderately heavy material and may frequently get jammed as you sew.
So there is a chance that it may not sew at all after the salesperson demonstrated it to you, so compulsively and winningly. At least not for long. But then you get what you pay for.
Lockstitch machine
This refers to most of the common sewing machines which sew straight stitched seams as well as for zigzag stitching. It uses two threads – one on top and one on the bobbin. It creates a stitch just like a hand sewn back stitch. The stitching looks the same on both sides of the fabric
Heavy duty lock stitch industrial machines are the term used to refer to those hardworking machines you will buy for a sewing business.
Chain stitch machine
A chain stitch machine creates a chain stitch to sew on the fabric with just one thread. The single thread is looped around under the fabric and around itself forming a chain under the fabric. This is used to sew straight stitched seams as well as for zigzag stitching
You can choose between models with one needle or two needle, one thread or two-thread double chain stitch. Other than sewing seams it is also used for binding and decorative sewing
Blind stitch machine
This specialized sewing machine is usually used in an industrial set up to do blind stitch hemming – which is basically invisible stitching on hems. When you are doing a lot of pants, skirts or shorts you will need a dedicated machine to do the work fast and as efficiently as possible. This is it.
Cover stitch machine
These are specialized sewing machines which make cover stitches, which make great looking cover hems on knit garments. You can make tri-cover stitches, wide cover stitches, and narrow cover stitches (3mm, 6mm). They are used for hemming, binding, topstitching or adding decorative effects.
Sergers
A serger is a multi-purpose sewing machine used to make durable seams as well as sew hems and finish fabric edges. It is a very useful machine to buy when you sew with knit fabrics (sportswear, stretchy activewear, knit dresses).
You may hear of it as overlock machine or overedge machine. An advantage is that you can combine edge neatening and seam closing together with one stitching. Some sergers will have a cutter which automatically cuts edges as it sews the overlock along the edge.
Safety stitch machine
A safety stitch is a combination of a two-thread Chainstitch and a three-thread Overlock Stitch. This is a specialized machine that does edge neatening and edge neatening and seam stitching together at once. Usually, this is combined with an overlock sewing machine but you may also get it individually as safety stitch machine.
Flat seam machine
There are two types- one with a flat bed and one with a cylindrical bed. It is used for binding cut edges and to sew flat seams on knitted fabrics.
Buttonhole machine
Industrial sewing involves making hundreds of buttonholes – a buttonhole sewing machine makes these buttonholes very easily. It uses lock stitch or chain stitch to make them.
Hand – Operated Sewing Machine:
This is the simplest form of sewing machine which is operated by hand. A detachable handle provided to the flywheel is used to operate the machine. This machine is generally suitable for domestic purpose because it does not help in speeding up the work.
Treadle Sewing Machine:
This machine is exactly like the hand sewing machine but it is operated by foot using an additional stand. In this type the balance wheel is operated by a belt with the help of lower stand, which is driven by feet. This machine operates faster than that of the hand-operated machine. This machine is suitable where there is no power supply. When handling this machine both the hands are free to handle the fabric, speeding up the work. Even some of the heavy-duty machines are operated by this method.
This is the fastest sewing machine. One needs practice to handle it. In an electric machine the balance wheel comes to motion by a belt, which is attached to an electric motor.
Computerized sewing machines can make as many as 7 different types of buttonholes made in one step, a lot of decorative stitches that you will never use in your entire life, automatic needle threading, LCD display screen on the front with easy-to-use stitch selector usually in the form of convenient switches, speed control etc. Understandably it is a lot more expensive than any other models.
A mini sewing machine is a sewing machine that is portable and very very small and sews a straight line, enough to sew up alterations, repairs, adjustments, and simple sewing projects
Media is full of advertisements for these machines which take up so much less space, and are so cheap and claims to sew up everything including home furnishings and clothes. Some come with zigzag stitching along with the straight stitching.
To be frank, I have not owned one, nor do I see myself owning one but after talking to one who have used this – it may not be very durable and does not sew over even moderately heavy material and may frequently get jammed as you sew.
So there is a chance that it may not sew at all after the salesperson demonstrated it to you, so compulsively and winningly. At least not for long. But then you get what you pay for.
This refers to most of the common sewing machines which sew straight stitched seams as well as for zigzag stitching. It uses two threads – one on top and one on the bobbin. It creates a stitch just like a hand sewn back stitch. The stitching looks the same on both sides of the fabric
Heavy duty lock stitch industrial machines are the term used to refer to those hardworking machines you will buy for a sewing business.
A chain stitch machine creates a chain stitch to sew on the fabric with just one thread. The single thread is looped around under the fabric and around itself forming a chain under the fabric. This is used to sew straight stitched seams as well as for zigzag stitching
You can choose between models with one needle or two needle, one thread or two-thread double chain stitch. Other than sewing seams it is also used for binding and decorative sewing
This specialized sewing machine is usually used in an industrial set up to do blind stitch hemming – which is basically invisible stitching on hems. When you are doing a lot of pants, skirts or shorts you will need a dedicated machine to do the work fast and as efficiently as possible. This is it.
These are specialized sewing machines which make cover stitches, which make great looking cover hems on knit garments. You can make tri-cover stitches, wide cover stitches, and narrow cover stitches (3mm, 6mm). They are used for hemming, binding, topstitching or adding decorative effects.
A serger is a multi-purpose sewing machine used to make durable seams as well as sew hems and finish fabric edges. It is a very useful machine to buy when you sew with knit fabrics (sportswear, stretchy activewear, knit dresses).
You may hear of it as overlock machine or overedge machine. An advantage is that you can combine edge neatening and seam closing together with one stitching. Some sergers will have a cutter which automatically cuts edges as it sews the overlock along the edge.
Safety stitch machine
A safety stitch is a combination of a two-thread Chainstitch and a three-thread Overlock Stitch. This is a specialized machine that does edge neatening and edge neatening and seam stitching together at once. Usually, this is combined with an overlock sewing machine but you may also get it individually as safety stitch machine.
There are two types- one with a flat bed and one with a cylindrical bed. It is used for binding cut edges and to sew flat seams on knitted fabrics.
Buttonhole machine
Industrial sewing involves making hundreds of buttonholes – a buttonhole sewing machine makes these buttonholes very easily. It uses lock stitch or chain stitch to make them.
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