Top Rated 10 Best Sewing Machines for Denim

Are you planning to start making your own denim pants right in your home but the sewing machine you have is too weak for the task? Have you been looking at the length and breadth of the internet for a machine that is specifically designed to sew harder fabrics such as denim and leather but haven’t found one yet? You’re reading the right post.

The best sewing machine for denim will complete every task you threw at it without any problem. While heavy-duty sewing machines are a little bit more expensive than basic, starter models, it doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune to get one. Check below my review of top-rated models and see which one suits your needs and budget.

IMAGE	PRODUCT	FEATURES	PRICE
EDITORS CHOICE	SINGER 4411 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine	Dimension: 18 x 8.8 x 13.4 inches Weight: 14.5 pounds 1100 stitches per minute max speed	Check on Amazon
BUDGET CHOICE	SINGER 4432 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine	Dimension: 15.2 x 6.25 x 12 inches Weight: 14.6 pounds Reverse stitching feature	Check on Amazon
MOST REVIEWED	Brother ST371HD Sewing Machine	Dimension: 7.87 x 16.1 x 12.21 inches Weight: 6.6 pounds 37 Sewing Stitches	Check on Amazon
	Janome 7318 Magnolia Sewing Machine	Dimension: 22 x 13 x 18.5 inches Weight: 17 pounds Convenient storage compartment	Check on Amazon
	SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist	Dimension: 17.25 x 8.25 x 12 inches Weight: 20 pounds 850 stitches per minute max speed	Check on Amazon
	Janome Computerized 001DC2014 Sewing Machine	Dimension: 6.6 x 14.8 x 11 inches Weight: 18 pounds Convenient reverse button	Check on Amazon
	TOYOTA J34 Sewing Machine	Dimension:18 x 14 x 9.2 inches Weight: 14.9 pounds Versatile free arm	Check on Amazon
	Janome Computerized MOD-50 Sewing Machine	Dimension: 7 x 16 x 12 inches Weight: 12.7 pounds Locking stitch feature	Check on Amazon
	Janome HD3000 Sewing Machine	Dimension: 19 x 10 x 14.7 inches Weight: 21 pounds Automatic needle threader	Check on Amazon
	Brother XR9550PRW Sewing/Quilting Machine	Dimension: 7.01 x 16.26 x 12.48 inches Weight: 8.96 pounds Jam-free, drop-in top bobbin	Check on Amazon

My 10 Handpicked Sewing Machines for Denim

After reading the factors you should consider before buying the sewing machine you desire, you’re now ready to look at my review of best-seller heavy-duty sewing machines. The review was based on the ratings and feedback from satisfied buyers. Go through the list and see which machine can work for you best.

 

Thanks to its durable metal interior frame and stainless steel bedplate, this machine is up for any tough task you throw at it. This power is enhanced by the robust motor with extra-high sewing speed. The machine can sew a variety of fabrics without experiencing any issues.

The machine offers 11 unique stitch patterns, including 6 basic patterns, 4 decorative patterns, and 1 buttonhole. Although this number is small than what other machines on this list offer, the stitches are enough to provide you the ability to do various home décor projects, crafting, fashion sewing with tough fabrics, and much more.

With a maximum speed of up to 1100 stitches per minute, this machine will get your projects done in the smallest time possible. Its heavy-duty metal frame enhances the stability of the machine even when sewing at high speeds.

Another feature that you’ll find interesting in this machine is the adjustable needle position. That means you can change the position of the needle to three positions when you want to add some decoration or zippers with cording and topstitching. The machine features an adjustable presser foot control that allows the machine to sew any fabrics from lightweight to heavyweight fabrics by easily adjusting the presser foot pressure.

Conclusion

Some heavy-duty machines will only handle thicker fabrics and won’t perform very well on lightweight materials. Thanks to the adjustable presser foot control function, this machine can handle any fabrics from lightweight to heavyweight materials. The ability to sew tough fabrics at a high speed is also something to be proud of. You should not, however, that this machine can only be used in the US and Canada due to voltage standard issues.

 

 

Sewing with this machine is easy thanks to its ability to sew at high speeds. No matter the kind of fabric that you’re handling, this machine will work with unlimited efficiency and speed. Its powerful motor provides the power needed to sew through tough materials with ease.

The machine stands out from other models because of its ability to sew in reverse. This reverse stitch sewing ability allows you to sew materials in reverse for reinforced stitches. The feature is quite helpful for heavy-duty materials that would require reinforcement to achieve the quality results that you need.

Unlike the above model, this one offers 110 stitch patterns to help you meet all your sewing needs. You can use this machine either at home or professional level. When you buy the machine, it comes with a variety of accessories to make it as useful and versatile as possible. These accessories include all-purpose foot, buttonhole foot, zipper foot, button sewing foot, edge/quilting guide, seam ripper/lint brush, bobbins, needs, etc.

There’s also an easy to follow user-manual to help you use any feature without a problem. Singer 4432 is a great machine for industrial sewing and quilting projects.

Conclusion

The reverse stitching feature is perhaps the epic feature of this machine. With it, you’re able to sew in reverse for reinforced stitches. Additionally, with up to 110 stitches at your disposal, this machine offers all that you need to handle professional sewing and quilting projects with ease. It’s worth noting, however, that this machine too is made to be used only in the US and Canada.

 

The machine features a perfect combination of durability, power, and speed, which enables it to handle thicker and tougher materials with great ease.

User-friendliness is critical whether you’re an intermediate or professional sewer. With this machine, the ease of use is well taken care of. The machine is designed to ensure a smooth and time-saving threading process thanks to the automatic needle threader. This feature excellently pushes the thread through the needle and gets the machine threaded in a matter of seconds. The jam-free drop-in top bobbin also adds convenience so that you can work with this machine without frustrations or waste of time.

Its versatile free arm allows you to sew a variety of materials from lightweight to those heavyweight denim fabrics. This machine is suitable for beginners and experts alike unlike many other models that beginners might find harder using them. Brother ST371HD comes with a wide range of accessories 6 sewing feet, user manual, instructional DVD, and others.

Conclusion

The versatile free arm allows you to handle a wide range of projects without experiencing any issues. From lightweight fabrics to heavyweight materials, this machine has the power and speed needed to get the job done. Note also that it’s rated 120 volts, which means that it’s designed for use in the US and Canada only.

 

Like any heavy-duty sewing machine, this one too offers both power and speed. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, this machine is an ideal fit for you.

The machine offers 18 unique built-in stitches including utility and decorative ones as well as a 4-step buttonhole. It has a convenient stitches panel on the front that shows you the stitches at a glance for easy choosing with their matching stitch letter.

It’s easy to choose stitches thanks to the way they are well indicated by just turning the dial. You can also adjust the stitch length and width to the point you like so that you can sew fabrics of different thicknesses with effectiveness. The reverse sewing feature allows you to sew in reverse for reinforced stitches.

There are features that help you achieve the professional sewing results that you need. For instance, the seam guides on the needle plate assist you to measure the seam allowances accurately. The transparent bobbin cover allows you to see if you’re running out of the thread so that you can replace it on time. The bobbin system is also resistant to jam, meaning that you can sew the edge of fabric without issues.

The convenient drop-feed system allows you to enjoy a free motion quilting to the traditional darning with great ease. With this machine, you can sew shirt sleeves and pant legs with ease thanks to the versatile free arm feature. Its convenient storage compartment helps you keep sewing accessories out of the way yet within reach whenever you need them.

Conclusion

This machine is all about professionalism. It’s one of the heavy-duty machines ideals for industrial sewing. With it, you can handle practically any project. The reverse stitching feature is one of the most convenient features that will help you sew in reverse. You can also keep all of your sewing accessories in an organized manner thanks to the storage compartment.

 

That ensures that the machine remains as portable as possible and easy to use every feature. With this machine, you’ll be able to release all your creativity.

The machine offers up to 600 built-in stitch patterns, including 5 alphanumeric fonts and 12 one-step buttonholes with a unique buttonhole under-plate. The stitch elongation and mirror imaging offer even more creative possibilities. The large selection of stitch options, including decorative, basic, and stretch stitches help you fulfill your sewing, quilting, crafting, and home décor needs.

This machine offers a perfect combination of speed and power. That enables it to have the powerful stitching ability required to handle heavy denim fabrics. The robust motor of this machine achieves a maximum speed of up to 850 stitches per minute so that you can complete projects quickly and efficiently.

Its automatic needle threader allows you to easily thread the entire machine in a matter of seconds. The threader efficiently pushes the thread into the eye of the thread saving you the frustrations that come with too much eyestrain and waste of time. There is a wide range of accessories that come with this machine including overcasting foot, rolled hem foot, zipper foot, walking foot, straight stitch/quilting foot, etc.

Conclusion

This is one machine that offers the highest number of stitch patterns. While some heavy-duty models offer less than 20 stitches, this one offers up to 600, which means that you have more than what you need for your daily needs. So, if you want to explore a lot of options, and you don’t mind paying the price, this might be the machine for you if you’re in the US and Canada.

 

This machine offers 50 stitches, including 3 buttonholes. The machine provides all the essential variety of stitching requirements. You’ll appreciate other range of easy convenience features such as automatic lock button, speed control slider, and reverse stitching. Thanks to the heavy-duty construction, this machine ensures the maximum stability that is needed to sew tougher fabrics at high speed with precision.

Its automatic thread tension control helps you adjust the tension of the thread depending on the needs of the fabric you’re handling. Additionally, the top loading full rotary hook bobbin is conveniently effective, jam-free, and makes your experience with this machine a breeze. The bright LED intuitive screen makes choosing stitches and other settings easy and quick.

Also, the reverse feature allows you to sew in reverse for reinforced stitches. Its superior feed system lets you handle a range of materials with ease. The automatic needle threader is essential for helping you enjoy an easy threading process.

Conclusion

If you’re not in a tight but and want a machine that offers great value for money, you should invest in this one. It’s packed with interesting features that will make your sewing experience smooth and enjoyable. The memorized needle up and down is one of the epic features that you’ll find very effective when handling various projects. The machine is worth buying for any sewer that’s looking for convenience, speed, and power.

 

It has a unique gliding foot that allows you to easily glide over any layer of fabric without missing even a single stitch. The great power of the machine enables you to sew up to 12 layers of denim with speed and efficiency.

The 34 built-in different stitch options, including stretch stitches, utility stitches, decorative stitches, blind hem stitches, overlock stitches, applique stitches, etc. It also has 4-step buttonhole stitches. You can choose the stitch option you want from the convenient stitch panel right on the front of the machine. Choosing your desired stitch option is easy thanks to the easy to read corresponding stitches or numbers.

Its automatic needle threader allows you to enjoy an easy and quick threading process. Avoiding eyestrain and frustration is a convenient way of saving time and getting started with your projects right away. Additionally, the adjustable presser foot pressure has a simple turn dial to allow you to handle any type of fabric. You’re able to adjust and fine-tune your presser foot pressure with maximum precision.

There’s also a free arm that you can use to sew a wide range of projects including collars, cuffs, pant legs. The unique drop feed capability helps you with darning, attaching buttons, stripling, or other free motion. It comes with a host of accessories, including zipper foot, zigzag foot, buttonhole foot, overcasting foot, quick advisor guide, etc.

Conclusion

When you decide to sew at a professional level, you want a machine that can reliably get the job done. This model from Toyota is reliable, powerful, and with speed. With this one, you can sew through multiple layers of fabrics with efficiency and reasonable speed. It’s a great machine for handling any sewing and quilting project.

 

Choose the stitch you desire and other settings with a simple push of a button from an intuitive LCD screen with user-friendly navigation keys. Its free arm function allows you to handle different types of projects, including scuffs, pants legs, shirt sleeves, etc. Moreover, the convenient drop-feed allows you to handle your projects with great convenience.

Other convenient buttons like Start and Stop button, stitch locking, needle up and down makes your experience with this machine very enjoyable. The reverse stitching allows you to sew in reverse for reinforced stitches. The automatic needle threader ensures that the threading process is easy, eyestrain-free, and frustration-free.

The top-loading bobbin comes with a clear cover so that you can see when the thread needs replacement. With this machine, you’re sure to get the power, precision, and speed you need to get the job done.

Conclusion

For all your household sewing needs, this machine has got you covered. Its loads of convenient features make your experience with this machine enjoyable. From the reverse stitching feature to the versatile free arm, start/stop button, and others, working with this machine with heavy fabrics is such a convenient experience. It’s worth the price!

 

You just need to turn the stitch selection dial to set to your desired stitch. The stitch you chose will show up in red. By flipping up the stitch panel, you can see all the available stitch patterns at a glance.

This machine offers 18 unique stitches to meet your daily sewing needs. Threading the eye of the needle is easy thanks to the automatic needle threader. You won’t get frustrated or strain your needs. There’s also a top-loading bobbin system that’s easy to change and you won’t need to worry about running off the edge of your fabric since it’s jam-free.

Its adjustable presser foot pressure allows you to easily turn the dial and adjust the presser foot pressure. That lets you sew a variety of fabrics with different thicknesses. The free arm feature allows you to handle a variety of projects like shirt sleeves, etc.

Like any other high-end, heavy-duty sewing machine, this too comes with a great variety of accessories, including a set of bobbins, universal needles, a set of leather needles, an extra spool pin, a seam ripper, etc.

Conclusion

Buying this machine is worth it if you want a cost-effective model that can handle your projects with ease. The machine is able to sew a wide range of projects from lightweight to heavyweight fabrics. It’s high-quality, reliable and with the speed and power you need to sew denim fabrics effectively.

 

The machine offers you 165 different built-in stitch patterns to meet your sewing and quilting needs. These patterns include 110 utility, heirloom, and decorative stitches, including 8 styles of automatic-size buttonholes as well as 55 alphanumeric sewing stitch patterns.

Its intuitive LCD screen helps you choose stitches and other settings with ease by simply pushing a button. Thanks to the automatic needle threader and jam-free, drop-in top bobbin, the threading process is made easier and quicker. That means you can start sewing immediately, avoid the eyestrain and frustration that would otherwise come with threading the eye of the needle manually.

The machine doesn’t come alone. It comes along with a variety of useful accessories, including a wide table, instructional DVD, 8 sewing feet, and protective hardcover, among others.

Conclusion

Brother XR9550PRW is a great machine for users in the US and Canada where the electric voltage standard is 110 volts. That means you may not be able to use this machine if you’re in other regions where the voltage is 220 volts or 240 volts. The machine however is durable, strongly constructed to handle denim and other thicker, tougher fabrics that you may throw at it. It’s also one of the most affordable heavy-duty models that any sewing enthusiast will want to buy.

Buying Guide – Things to Consider Before Buying:

There are many brands of heavy-duty sewing machines on the market. Unfortunately, their quality varies from one brand or manufacturer to another. These machines are also available at different price tags.

You, therefore, need to carefully choose the right machine for your needs in terms of overall quality and budget. Doing so requires that you put some factors into consideration to ensure that you make an informed decision. The following are the important factors you should consider before buying the best sewing machine for denim:

1. What’s your skills level?

Even though you’re looking for a heavy-duty sewing machine for denim, it doesn’t mean that you must have expert skills. You might be an intermediate sewer or still in your learning levels but want to be able to handle thicker fabrics. In that case, you need a machine that can accommodate your skills level.

There are many machines from reputable brands that are user-friendly and can be used by experts and beginners alike. Some computerized models from Brother and Janome are easy to use and any intermediate sewer will be able to handle them with ease.

If you’re already an expert and you have had various models before, you may not mind picking any model as long as it can meet your needs. Most expert models come with features that can only be well handled by experts. So, depending on your level of skills, choose wisely. You don’t want a machine that will give you a lot of headaches before you can learn how to utilize a certain feature.

2. How many stitches?

Every sewing machine comes with a certain number of stitches. While some may offer 10 or less than 100 stitch patterns, others may come with up to 600 stitches. The number of stitches you need depends on your sewing needs.

If you’re going to be sewing often, you may want to get a machine that has as many stitches as possible. However, if you’re not going to be sewing often, you can choose models with fewer stitches. Sometimes, the number of stitches may affect the cost of the machine.

Models with a higher number of stitches tend to be more costly than those with limited stitches. Considering all these factors, you should depend on your needs. You can also consider your skills levels. If you’re still learning how to sew, a machine with a few stitches may be easier to use than that with so many of them.

3. How many accessories?

Sewing machines usually come with a host of accessories to meet your sewing needs. Unfortunately, the number of accessories may differ from one machine to another. These accessories include all-purpose foot, buttonhole foot, zipper foot, button sewing foot, edge/quilting guide, seam ripper/lint brush, bobbins, needs, etc.

You need to ensure that the machine you buy comes with all the accessories you need to get started. For any budget-conscious sewer, you don’t want to spend more money to buy an accessory that you would otherwise get for free. Do your research well to know the accessories that you should except with the machine you’re going to buy before you pay for it.

The more accessories a machine comes with, the more versatile and effective the machine is. If you’re sewing at a professional level, you may require as many accessories as possible. Also, ensure that you can find these accessories in the future if you need to buy them for replacement.

4. What is the power rating?

While this is something that many buyers don’t pay attention to, you should try to ensure that you know the power rating of the machine before paying for it. Keep in mind that the voltage standards differ from one country or region to another.

For example, the voltage standard in the US and Canada is 110 Volts. Models that come with a power rating of 100 volts or 120 volts will work well in these regions. In Europe, Australia, and other regions, the voltage standard is 220 or 240 volts. That means when you purchase a model with a 110 volts rating and you’re in a country that utilizes 220 volts, then your model may not work or you may require purchasing some electric device to make it work.

Therefore, you must ensure that the power rating of your machine matches the one in your home’s sockets. Most of the models from Brother, Janome, and Singer are only designed for use in the US and Canada. So, do your shopping with this in mind.

FAQs

Q1. Can all sewing machines handle denim?

Most basic sewing machines for homes can handle lightweight denim if done slowly and with the right type of thread and needle. However, when it comes to sewing thicker and bulkier materials or multiple layers of fabrics, your basic machine will most probably not handle it. You need to invest in a heavy-duty machine that is specifically made to handle such kinds of heavy materials.

Q2. Do you need a heavy-duty sewing machine to sew denim?

Yes. If you’re planning to start sewing denim fabrics, you must invest in a heavy-duty machine. These kinds of machines have stronger, durable construction and more features than many beginner models. They can handle tougher and thicker fabrics materials like denim without a problem.

Q3. Do you need a special sewing machine for jeans?

Jeans are one of the thickest materials available. A basic machine won’t be able to penetrate through the fabric. You’ll need a more durable, tougher industrial-grade machine to do this kind of work. You’ll require buying a machine meant for sewing very tough threads used for stitching and topstitching layers of jeans.

Q4. What tension should a sewing machine be for denim?

When handling tougher fabrics like denim, your tension should be set up to 6. If your set is higher than that, it will be too high and likely to pull the top stitch into a flat line. The bobbin stitch clears up around 6 but won’t improve much after that.

Final Thought

Finding the right sewing machine for tougher fabrics doesn’t need to be a headache. Even though there are overwhelmingly many sewing machines from different manufacturers claiming to be heavy-duty, you don’t have to get confused while choosing the best sewing machine for denim for your needs. I have already helped weed out all the unreliable options and narrowed them down to a list of only 10 top-rated, best-sellers.

So, it’s easy for you now to choose from the list and I leave that to you to make the right decision. Remember to consider the factors explained in the buyer’s guide section because not all of the above models are suitable for your needs. Since you’ll be making a huge investment, you have to ensure that you invest wisely.