28 Different Types of Sewing Machines. A Complete Guide.

Can you imagine how many types of Sewing Machines are out there?

If you consider that the first sewing machine was invented in 1819 and that since then, there have been, oh so many variations of this product… Well, it is easy to imagine that the number is too high to count.

Thankfully, there is a way to classify the most important sewing machine types depending on their functions, power, and purposes. 

In this sewing machines guide, you will find the name, picture, and description of each of the different sewing machines there is.

I will tell you what you can use them for and which types of sewing stitches they do. This will help you choose a sewing machine for your type of needs.

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Which are the different types of Sewing Machines?

The three general classifications of Sewing Machines are Domestic, Industrial, and Vintage.

Inside those classifications, you can find more types of sewing machines that will vary depending on their functions, mechanics, and types of stitches. 

For example, you can find a straight stitch and a serger machine in domestic and industrial versions. Even though these machines make the same type of stitch, they will have different durabilities, functions, and materials from which they are made.

What’s the difference between a Domestic and an Industrial Sewing Machine?

Domestic Sewing Machines

A domestic sewing machine is intended for home use. Depending on their purpose, these machines can have many functions and stitches.

They can also be mechanical, computerized, or electronic. A domestic Machine is meant to be used in short cycles of sewing. Materials are very light (plastic or lighter metals), so they can be easily moved around and handled.

Home sewing machines come in many price ranges and functions, and they tend to have the widest variety of functional and decorative stitches available. Usually, these types of sewing machines are slower in speed than industrial machines. But they are well manufactured now that some of them (like the Juki MO654DE Serger Machine) can equal the power of their contra parts.

Industrial Sewing Machines

Industrial sewing machines are meant for heavy-duty industrial use. These machines have powerful motors and a high stitch-per-minute count. An industrial sewing machine is so durable and well-made that it can last a lifetime with the proper care.

The only downside of these machines is that they only have one or a maximum of two types of stitches. This is because they are meant to be part of a large chain of mass production in which each machine has a purpose in the sewing process of a garment.

An industrial sewing machine is not a great option for home seamstresses as it takes up a lot of space, is hard to maintain, and is very expensive.

Which type of Sewing Machine is the Best?

The best sewing machine for you is one that complies with these qualities: the functions that you need, your skill level, your budget, the service available, and the customer service.

Regarding functions, skill level, and budget is all about you. What functions do you need? What type of projects will you be sewing? Do you have a good sewing skill level to take the most advantage of a certain model of this sewing machine? You need to know the answer to these questions to better choose the perfect sewing machine for you.

Other things I like to consider when I buy a new sewing machine is to check how the brand is in terms of services (find one near home), warranties, and other details like that. I like to know that if anything happens to my sewing machine, I can fix it without too much trouble. Also, the parts of that model are easy to find either on Amazon or directly with the manufacturer.

Consider these tips if you are wondering how to choose a sewing machine.

Types of Sewing Machines–(DOMESTIC)

Handheld Sewing Machine.

A handheld sewing machine is a great product for absolute beginners who just need a quick way to make a hem or mend a garment. 

It has a mechanical movement that will sew a straight stitch with the help of your hand. You will have to press and release the machine to make the stitches. Much likely as you would do with a pair of scissors.

These machines are very affordable, but they are not recommended for medium or big projects like clothing.

Mini Sewing Machine

A mini or portable sewing machine is a very affordable way to have a functional machine with the most basic functions. 

This machine takes up almost no space as it is very small. It is also super lightweight and great for moving around your home.

These machines are great for kids or crafters who do simple projects and don’t intend to use them for long periods.

Mechanical Sewing Machines.

Mechanical sewing machines like this one will run on an electrical motor. But their function and stitches will often be very limited, and their functions will change mechanically.

They have knobs you will turn to change the needle position, stitches (on some machines), and stitch length and width.

These machines have a graphic guide either on the front of the machine or on the knobs, so you’ll know how to select them.

Mechanical Sewing Machines are great for absolute beginners in sewing and for people who want a trust machine with basic functions.

For example, this machine can be great as a “family sewing machine.” In this case, you can use the machine for mending small projects and even simple garments.

Electronic Sewing Machines.

An electronic sewing machine is the next level of the sewing machine in terms of functionality and practicality. These types of sewing machines have buttons instead of knobs and a small LCD screen, which you can navigate between the different functions.

You can find electronic sewing machines with some mechanical features, like needle positioning. 

This machine is great if you want an affordable sewing machine with enough stitch options. These machines feature more stitches and built-in functions like buttonholes and decorative stitches (over 60). 

Computerized Sewing Machines.

Computerized sewing machines are a much more advanced version of the electronic sewing machine. These machines have all their features available on touch screens and have most of all of their functions automatized. For example, they will have an automatic needle inserter, the stitch width and length, and the positioning of the needle.

Another great feature of these machines is that they have USB ports that can connect to your online designs (for quilting or embroidering). They can also feature automatic thread cutters, color touch screens, stitch selectors, and even tutorials.

This is the sewing machine you should get if you are serious about sewing and want to take your hobby to the next level. These machines will offer you the widest variety of options for all your sewing projects.

Heavy duty Sewing Machines.

Heavy-duty sewing machines will endure long periods of sewing and can sew through several layers of thick materials such as denim or leather. They are built with metal frames, making them more durable than your conventional sewing machine.

Our research about Heavy Duty Sewing Machines tells us that they are made with high-quality pieces that can support the workload of sewing several layers of fabric for an extended period of time.

These machines allow us to work fast and have high-performance sewing quickly and smoothly when we use materials such as denim, leather, and upholstery fabrics with one or several layers.

Quilting Sewing Machine (Long arm sewing machine).

A quilting sewing machine can be either electronic or computerized. These machines have a more extended arm, which is the part that will hold a large piece of your patchwork flat. This means it will be fed into the machine without bunching up. 

They have the same functions as a regular sewing machine but offer many options for decorative stitches. 

In this case, the more functions the machine has, the higher the cost will be.

Embroidery Sewing Machine.

A home embroidery machine can have the same functions as a regular sewing machine, but the primary purpose will be to make embroidery designs on clothes and sewing projects.

When they are domestic, these machines usually come in a sewing machine/embroidery machine combo. 

They have a port to connect your USB to upload the designs you will make on a specialized embroidery program. Also, they generally have a large embroidery hoop built into the machine to make working more oversized items like blankets, pillows, and quilts easier. Some models also come with special features like the ability to connect to your computer for added designs or weaving capabilities. 

Serger Machine (Overlock Machine)

A Serger or an Overlock Machine is a Sewing Machine that makes the Overlock Stitch on one or more layers of fabric, preventing it from Fray.

Some of their main features included edging, seaming (sewing two or more pieces of fabric together), Hemming, or even Finishing the edge of a fabric for decorative purposes.

With this sewing machine, you can make many different types of Serger stitches and add or remove the thread cones to change styles.

Learning how to use a Serger Machine is easy, as there are a lot of great serger tutorials that will help you make the most out of this machine.

Coverstitch Machine.

A coverstitch machine makes cover stitches with five threads, ideal for sewing knit fabric garments. They are pretty similar to a Serger Machine, which is why some people tend to confuse them. Nevertheless, they don’t work the same.

This machine will make two or three lines of “straight stitches” on the top of the fabric and a chain stitch on the back. This type of stitch is great for topstitching stretch garments as it allows you to maintain the stretch on the said garment.

These machines are on the higher end in terms of pricing.

Types of Sewing Machines- (INDUSTRIAL)

Industrial Straight Stitch Sewing Machine

The industrial sewing machine is very durable and can handle long hours of use and heavyweight materials. It will sew only in a straight line by default but supports attachments to make other types of stitches, such as buttonholes or bias binding.  

These machines are used in the mass production of textile products. They usually come with a built-in desktop.  

Also, industrial machines sew up to 5,500 stitches per minute, which makes them way faster than any other domestic sewing machine. 

They are expensive as the manufacturer makes them with metal materials to increase their durability. 

Serger Industrial Machine

An industrial serger machine will perform an overlock stitch and endure long periods of sewing time. The machine is usually built-in on their special table with an automatic thread cutter and a thread catcher.

These machines are made with all metal parts, which makes them really durable and sturdy to sew several layers of materials at once.

You can sew any material from chiffon to leather just by changing the type of needle. It can sew up to 7000 stitches per minute, so it is way faster than a domestic serger which can only sew up to 1,300 SPM.

Coverstitch Industrial Sewing Machine.

And Industrial Coverstitch machine will hold five threads that will interlock with each other to form a chain stitch below the garment.

This type of machine is widely used for performance garments such as gym clothes, dance wear, and swimsuits. 

Chain Stitch Machine

A chain stitch machine is great for decorative or binding stitches. It will make a straight stitch on top and a chain stitch on the bottom. 

You can find this type of seam in denim jeans.

Blind Stitch Machine

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The blind stitch industrial machine will make an almost invisible blind stitch on garments. This type of seam is widely used in high-end garments such as dresses and dress pants.

You can use a very fine thread with this sewing machine to make the stitch even more unnoticeable. 

Embroidery Machine

An industrial embroidery machine has a lot of power and the capability to embroider huge designs without constantly changing the thread’s color.

These machines can hold up to 15 color threads at once. This makes the process of embroidery amazingly quick and convenient. 

Industrial embroidery machines also come with a large LCD touch screen in which you can visualize the design. There you can also choose colors and pause or re-start the project.

Bar Tack Sewing Machine

The Bar Tack Industrial Sewing Machine is a straightforward machine that makes rivets on a specific place of a garment where it will be high tension. This is meant to reinforce the garment so the wearer won’t accidentally break it.

You can find an example of a bar tack on your jeans pockets. 

Flat Seam Machine

A Flat Seam Industrial Machine makes a flat felled seam on garments in one step. A flat felled seam is an enclosed seam that leaves no seam allowance on the garments’ exterior or interior. 

You can find this seam on dress shirts or the inner leg of your jeans.

Safety Stitch Machine

A safety stitch machine combines a chain stitch with an overlock machine. This machine will make a straight stitch (with a chain loop below) and overlock the edges simultaneously.

A safety stitch will hold two or more layers together, and it can be used with other stitches or as a replacement for them.

Lock Stitch Machine

A lockstitch machine is also known as a straight stitch industrial sewing machine (the first example of the industrial machine’s list). You can find it with this name because a Lockstitch is also the name of the stitch it makes.

Button Sewing Machine

The button sewing machine will use a lockstitch to sew buttons with two or four holes. It is adjustable so that you can work with different sizes of buttons. You can also work with different types of buttons with this sewing machine.

Here is a cool video of how a button sewing machine works.

Buttonhole Sewing Machine

A buttonhole industrial sewing machine can quickly make several types of buttonholes.

This machine is very durable and reliable. It can also make neat finishing buttonholes on several types of fabrics.

Leather Machines

An industrial leather sewing machine has a very long, narrow arm to fit and sew different leather products such as bags, shoes, and others.

There are two kinds of shuttle to select from, large or small. Also, the small work platform/arm can hold small tubular products.

Types of Sewing Machines- (VINTAGE)

Toy Chain Stitch Machine

The Toy Chain Stitch Machine makes chain stitches. It has a cast iron base and works by manually spinning the right side handle. This machine dates from the year 1912-1913.

Hand Crank Machine

A hand crank sewing machine dates from 1880 and makes a simple lockstitch. 

The machine works by spinning the knob on the right side of the machine. This is one of the most common types of sewing machines in the vintage world.

Foot Treadle

The Foot Treadle Sewing Machine is the closest machine type that resembles a modern sewing machine. 

The mechanics of this machine allow the fabric to be fed and sewn by the foot’s movement over the pedal.

Portable Vintage Sewing Machine

Portable vintage machines like this were featured around the 70s and made with an aluminum body and a plastic case. These machines were motorized and lighter than their predecessors.

Zigzag Model Machine

The zigzag industrial sewing machine was a massive change in the sewing game when it first came out in the early 60s. This type of sewing machine could make zigzag stitches and decorative stitches.

What do you think about all these types of sewing machines? Which one do you have, and which one would you like to try? Let me know in the comment box below!!

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