10 Best Sewing Machines for Thick & Heavy Fabrics in 2021
Have you tried several different sewing machines but none seem to effectively handle heavy fabrics? Are you looking for a good machine with enough piercing ability to sew through heavy fabrics without a problem? Look no further; you have landed in the right place.
The best sewing machines for thick fabrics are available in large numbers from different manufacturers. With one of these machines, you’ll handle fabrics of different thicknesses from light to heavy ones with ease. Below, I have reviewed top TEN models based on satisfied customers’ reviews and ratings.
My Handpicked 10 Best Sewing Machines for Thich & Heavy Fabrics
The following are the top 10 best sewing machines for thick & heavy fabrics. They all come from reputable brands and are high-quality. I hope you’ll choose wisely:
1. Janome 2212 Sewing Machine For Thick Materials
Key Features
12 built-in stitch options
4-step type of buttonhole
Free arm bed type
Pre-printed on panel front
The maximum speed is 860spm
Janome is one of the most popular brands of high-end sewing machines. If you’re not on a tight budget, investing in Janome 2212 Sewing Machine will be a wise move. The machine is ideal for beginners and comes at a pocket-friendly price.
Its power allows it to pierce through tough and heavy fabrics with great ease. Additionally, with 12 built-in stitch options and a user-friendly four-step buttonhole, you’ll be able to handle your daily projects smoothly. Among the stitch, options include zigzag stitch and dial pattern selection.
With this machine, you’ll also be able to adjust the stitch width and length. The machine provides a drop feed and free arm to ensure maximum versatility in your various sewing projects. What’s more, the machine is lightweight for increased portability and ease of handling.
And with a maximum speed of 860 stitches per minute, you’ll be able to complete your projects very quickly. When you purchase this product, you’ll get a host of accessories including 10 bobbins.
Pros
The machine is suitable for beginner
Sells at affordable price
Sufficient power to handle thick fabrics
Comes with useful accessories
Lightweight and easy to handle
Cons
Its parts can be expensive to replace when they brake
Conclusion
If you’re a beginner who’s looking for a good machine to handle heavy-duty fabric and at an affordable price, then you should consider picking this one. The machine is powerful enough and purposes designed with powerful piercing ability. And with a speed of 860 stitches per minute, you’ll be able to complete projects quickly and smoothly.
2. SINGER 4423 Sewing Machine
Key Features
23 built-in stitch options
Heavy-duty construction
110 stitches per minute
Accessory kit with several accessories
Automatic needle threading
For those of us that value durability and longevity, SINGER 4423 Sewing Machine is the machine to buy. Besides having the ability to pierce through thick fabrics, this machine also serves for many years without developing issues thanks to its heavy-duty construction.
With this machine, you have 23 built-in stitches to meet all your sewing needs. These stitch options include basic, decorative, stretch, and buttonhole stitches. All of these lets you sew a host of projects, including fashions, quilts, décor, crafts, and much more.
Additionally, SINGER 4423 Sewing Machine operates at high speed to ensure you complete your projects quickly. You can use this machine at a maximum speed of 1100 stitches per minute. That means that sewing work, including those thick, heavy-duty fabrics will be quick. In addition to speed, this machine offers 60% more power than many machines in the same category. That means more piercing power to go through even the toughest of fabrics.
Its durable metal interior frame plus the stainless steel bed frame makes this machine very powerful. This strength combines with the extra-high sewing speed to provide the power needed to sew through several heavy-weight fabrics and with lasting stability. Moreover, the automatic needle threader function helps to ensure effortless threading, unlike the traditional machines where straining and frustration could be the order of the day.
Like any other high-quality machine, when you buy it, we will be able to get a variety of accessories to help you in your life going forward. They include button sewing foot, buttonhole foot, zipper foot, spool spin felt, etc. All these accessories come with a convenient storage kit.
Pros
Powerful than many competitor machines
Made to last
Easy to thread
Comes with many useful accessories
Multiple stitch options on offer
Cons
It lacks a sewing light
Conclusion
A machine that offers both performance and durability is worth buying and SINGER 4423 Sewing Machine is one such machine. With its heavy-duty construction, the machine is made to last for years. If you don’t mind about the price, and all you care about is power, performance, and durability, then this might be the machine for you.
3. Brother CS6000i Sewing/Quilting Machine
Key Features
LCD screen
Automatic needle threader
Drop-in bobbin
60 built-in stitch options
Brother is one of the reputable brands when it comes to high-end sewing machines. The Brother CS6000i Sewing/Quilting Machine, as the name suggests, is made to provide you with both sewing and quilting abilities.
The wide range of advanced features that this machine offers allows you to handle your sewing and quilting tasks so smoothly.
Brother CS6000i Sewing/Quilting Machine offers 60 different built-in stitch options to meet all your sewing needs and some of these stitches include decorative stitches and seven styles of automatic size buttonholes. With all these stitches, there’s so much that you can do around the home and at a professional level, depending on why you’re purchasing the machine.
You can see details and be able to easily choose your stitch option with a simple touch of a button on the LCD screen. This feature helps you with easy selections of stitches so that your experience with the machine is nothing but convenient.
Other epic features include the drop-in bobbin and automatic needle threader. The automatic needle threader ensures that you find this very easy when threading while the drop-in bobbin allows you to enjoy a jam-free operation. Lastly, the machine comes with a variety of accessories to help you in your sewing projects, including a protective case, 10 sewing feet, 3 bobbins, set of needles.
Pros
Easy to thread
Jam-free operation
Comes with an accessory kit
Easy to choose stitches from the LCD screen
Suitable for professional use
Cons
The machine includes a plastic frame, which can compromise durability
Conclusion
Quality and performance come first when it comes to a good machine. Brother CS6000i Sewing/Quilting Machine offers both quality and performance, which makes it one of the top-rated machines out there. With up to 60 stitches at your disposal, you have all you need to carry out different sewing projects. It’s still worth the money.
4. SINGER 7258 Computerized Sewing Machine
Key Features
100 built-in stitches
LCD screen
Sewing light
Built-in reverse function
Automatic needle up/down
Accessory kit
Here’s another great machine from Singer. The SINGER 7258 Computerized Sewing Machine offers you a lot of features that make your sewing experience quick, professional, and enjoyable. Investing in this machine makes a great value for money.
When you buy it, you can expect to have up to 100 built-in stitch options to meet all your sewing needs. Whether it’s fashion, decorative and home sewing, crafting, quilting, and heirloom sewing, this machine has got you covered.
Besides its generous stitches, this machine offers great durability. With it, you can expect to get services for a lot of years. With the computerized mechanism, this machine has a large LCD screen from where you can clearly view the details and choose your stitches and stitch length and width.
You can adjust this width and length to meet the needs of your projects. Additionally, SINGER 7258 Computerized Sewing Machine offers a host of other useful features such as a six-segment deeding system, horizontal threading, built-in reverse function, automatic needle up and down, automatic presser foot, and speed control, extra-high presser foot lifter, automatic bobbin winding clutch, etc.
There’s also a sewing light that illuminates your sewing area so that you can sew with ease even when there’s limited lighting. This sewing machine comes with all the accessories you’ll need for the job. Some of them include satin stitch foot, buttonhole foot, overcasting foot, zipper foot, spool pin felt, soft-sided dust cover, seam ripper, foot pedal, power cord, auxiliary spool pin, instruction manual, and many others.
Pros
Comes with a host of useful features
Accessory kit with several useful tools
Feature-rich sewing machine
Easy to use
Offers a smooth sewing experience
Cons
The reverse button has been reported to respond quite slowly
Conclusion
SINGER 7258 Computerized Sewing Machine is a feature-rich machine that’s designed to make your sewing experience great. The machine offers 100 stitch options so that you can meet your needs of design and decoration, among other projects. This machine isn’t just about sewing thick fabrics; it’s much more than just standard. If you’re an expert, investing in this machine will be worthwhile.
5. Brother XR9550PRW Sewing Machines For Heavy-Duty Fabrics
Key Features
Heavy-duty construction
165 stitch options
The automatic needle threading system
Drop-in bobbin
LCD screen
Instructional DVD
Power and performance represent what this machine from Brother, offers to its users. Brother XR9550PRW Sewing/Quilting Machine allows you to have both sewing and quilting functionalities in one machine. However, it also offers something more than the above model.
That is, with this machine, you have up to 165 different built-in stitch options to meet all your needs and much more. These stitches include heirloom and decorative stitches, including eight styles of automatic-size buttonholes as well as 55 alphanumeric sewing stitches.
In terms of construction, this machine is top-notch. It’s heavy-duty yet lightweight to ensure that you can handle it with ease. The stitches produced by the machine are also incredible and with a professional look.
Its convenient needle threading system allows the machine to handle the threading of the needle so that you won’t have to strain or struggle. In addition to the automatic needle threader, Brother XR9550PRW Sewing/Quilting Machine also has a drop-in top bobbin and provides a jam-resistant sewing experience.
You can clearly read details from the intuitive LCD screen. From there also, you can simply choose your stitch options and other settings with a convenient press of a button. When you buy this sewing machine, it doesn’t come alone. The package includes useful accessories that are designed to help you in your work. Some of the accessories include a protective hardcover, instructional DVD and wide table, 8 sewing feet, among others.
Pros
Easy threading process
Jam-free sewing experience
Top-notch construction
Lightweight design
Comes with useful accessories
Cons
Comes with very few accessories
Conclusion
The quality of the Brother XR9550PRW Sewing/Quilting Machine is great. Its performance too is top-notch whether on thick or standard fabrics. Investing in this machine will be worth it if you’re an expert and looking for a reliable machine that can complete your projects quickly without so much hassle on your side. With up to 165 unique stitches, you have all you need to meet your sewing needs.
6. SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist Sewing Machine
Key Features
600 built-in stitch options
850 stitches per minutes max speed
Automatic needle threading
Accessory kit
This sewing machine lets you sew in style and speed. Working with this computerized machine is quite a smooth experience thanks to the host of features that it offers. These features let you meet your daily sewing needs whether at the household or commercial level.
SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist Sewing Machine offers up to 600 built-in stitch options, which happen to be the highest number of stitches on my list. With such a large selection of stitches, you can meet all of your needs with basic, decorative, and stretch stitch sewing needs. These stitches will help you do fashion sewing, home crafting, and décor, quilting, etc. You’ll also get to select the fonts so that you can personalize your projects in style.
Among the numerous stitch, options include 13 built-in one-step buttonholes with exclusive buttonhole under-plate and 5 alphanumeric fonts. The stitch elongation and mirror imaging functions offer even more possibilities to take your creativity to the next level.
The SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist Sewing Machine is a high-speed machine. With a max sewing speed of 850 spm, you won’t need to strain even with multiple projects to complete. To avoid frustrations completely on your side, the machine comes with an automatic needle threader. This built-in function allows you to enjoy easy threading without straining or frustration.
Upon buying this machine, you can be sure that you’ll get an accessory kit with all the necessary tools that you’ll need. These include zipper foot, all-purpose foot, buttonhole foot, open toe foot, satin stitch foot, overcasting foot, carding foot, etc.
Pros
Easy to thread
The high-speed machine completes projects quickly
Offers a lot of stitch options
Comes with all the needed accessories
Cons
The machine is made for US and Canadian users only
Conclusion
There are two things that set this machine apart – speed and versatility. With this machine, you can perform your sewing projects with a speed of up to 850 stitches per minute. Additionally, you have up to 600 stitch options at your disposal. There’s no better machine for thick fabrics to buy than this one if you’re looking for a very feature-rich model.
7. Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine
Key Features
Automatic needle threader
Drop-in top bobbin
27 unique built-in stitch options
Instructional DVD
You don’t want a too feature-rich or complex sewing machine that will take you time to master how to use easily? Well, choose Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine and get exactly what you’re looking for.
The machine is easy to handle, beginner-friendly, powerful to sew through those thick fabrics and made to serve you for years. The machine is a real value for money.
Being also one of the pocket-friendly machines on my list, Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine has several features to offers. With all these features, you can expect your sewing experience to be as smooth as possible. First, you have 27 different built-in stitch options at your disposal when you decide to buy this machine.
These stitches include decorative options, blind hem, stretch, zigzag stitch options, and one auto-size buttonhole. As you can see, the machine can help you meet all your daily sewing needs. What’s more, there are features that are meant to make your experience with this machine frustrating and strain-free.
The drop-in top bobbin and automatic needle threader are great features that every other high-end sewing machine offers. Thanks to the auto needle threader, the machine eases the threading process while the drop-in top bobbin ensures that you enjoy a jam-free operation.
Moreover, the versatile free arm ensures that you’re able to smoothly cover a host of daily sewing projects. The machine is suitable for users of all levels from newbies to seasoned ones. Upon buying the machine, you get some useful accessories including a twin needle, 3-piece needle set, 4 bobbins, manual, and instructional DVD.
Pros
Comes with useful accessories
Instructional DVD is easy to follow
The machine is suitable for beginners and experts alike
Easy threading process
Sells at affordable price
Cons
The machine lacks adjustable speed control
Conclusion
If you’re a beginner or not very advanced in sewing, and you want a machine that can handle tough fabrics without breaking your bank, then you just got it. Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine is designed for beginners and experts alike. With this machine, you have 27 unique stitches to meet all your daily sewing needs. It’s a great value for money as well.
Here’s my next big deal and that’s why, despite being feature-rich, it’s also beginner-friendly. It’s the perfect machine that you need to go for if you’re just starting out and you want to take your sewing skills to the next level.
What makes it easy to use for anyone is its friendly design. The intuitive LCD screen lets you select your stitches and other settings with ease. All you need to do is push a button and your problem is resolved. With a user-friendly switch on the LCD screen, you can simply view and pick the stitch that you want.
The machine offers you both sewing and quilting functionality. With 255 built-in different stitches, you have all the power to meet your daily sewing needs. The stitches include basic, decorative, stretch, buttonhole, and letter stitches. With all these, you can satisfy your requirements for embroidery patterns.
Its automatic needle threader is another feature to feel proud of. The machine’s automatic needle threader lets you easily thread the needle’s eye without straining or getting frustrated. In addition to this feature, the drop-in bobbin ensures that your sewing is completely jam-resistant.
Like any other high-quality sewing machine for thick fabrics, this machine also comes with several accessories to help you enjoy a smooth sewing experience. These accessories are great for both beginners and advanced. The accessories are stored conveniently in its tray. You’ll also get a soft-sided dust cover that you’ll find very useful.
Pros
Comes with useful accessories
Accessories have a convenient storage tray
Easy threading process
Beginner-friendly
High-quality construction
Cons
Some features may be hard for beginners to use
Conclusion
As a beginner-friendly sewing machine, this is a feature-rich machine that can be used by experts as well. The intuitive LCD screen allows you to conveniently access the various stitch options and other settings. But, the high-quality construction makes this machine a standout. It’s a great value for money. In terms of performance, this machine is great and will suit any beginner. Investing in it will be a good idea whether you’re a beginner or an expert. Also, the product is pocket-friendly.
9. Brother HC1850 Sewing/Quilting Machine
Key Features
LCD screen
130 stitch options
Sewing & quilting ability
Drop-in top bobbin
Automatic needle threader
Instruction DVD
The Brother HC1850 Sewing/Quilting Machine offers 130 stitch options that include 8 styles of automatic-size buttonholes and 55 alphanumeric sewing stitches.
All these stitches are great for an expert who wants to handle different projects from basic to decorative sewing and quilting.
As the name suggests, the machine allows you to complete both sewing and quilting tasks. The machine is computerized and feature-rich. Its LCD screen allows users to easily view and select stitch options with a simple touch of a button. Seeing your selections on the screen makes your experience with the machine great.
Some of the sophisticated features of this sewing machine for thick fabrics including a drop-in top bobbin and automatic needle threader. With the sophisticated needle threading function, the machine can easily push the thread through the needle with a simple press of the lever. You can also enjoy a jam-free operation thanks to the drop-in top bobbin.
When you buy the machine, you’ll get a host of accessories to help you in your projects. Some of these useful accessories include a wide table for your large projects, 8 feet, and instructional DVD as well as manual. The instruction DVD is easy to follow so that you can use the machine easily even if it’s your first time utilizing a computerized machine.
Pros
Offers a wide range of stitch options
Easy to thread
Jam-free operation
Easy to choose stitches on the LCD screen
Easy to follow instruction DVD
Cons
The chassis is made of plastic, which is not very durable
Conclusion
The sewing and quilting ability of this machine is what makes it a standout. In addition to being powerful and able to offer great piercing power, this machine allows you the ability of sewing and quilt. You also have up to 130 stitches at your disposal to meet all of your needs. It’s a great machine for thick fabrics and investing in it will be worth it.
Buy this machine and be able to do more than just sewing thick fabrics. The machine offers up to 185 different built-in stitches, including 8 styles of automatic-size buttonholes and 55 alphanumeric stitch options.
With all these, you’ll be able to complete a lot of projects, including basic and decorate ones.
There’s an LCD screen that lets you simply view and choose stitch options with ease. Additionally, its automatic needle threader allows the machine to smoothly push the thread through its needle for you to enjoy a convenient threading experience. The drop-in bobbin is also put in place to make sure that your operation is jam-free.
Brother SE400 Combination Sewing 4×4 Embroidery comes with several useful accessories to help you complete your projects smoothly. There’s also an instructional DVD to help you learn how to use the machine like a pro.
Pros
Nearly 200 stitch options to choose from
LCD screen facilitates easy choosing of stitches
Easy to follow instruction DVD
Great piercing power
Allows sewing and embroidery options
Easy to a thread thanks to the auto needle threader
Cons
Its frame is made of plastic which may not be very durable
Conclusion
With up to 185 stitch options, you can use this machine to perform a variety of projects, including basic and decorative sewing tasks. Its high piercing ability is one of the features that make this machine a perfect choice for handling thick fabrics. The great thing about this machine is that it comes with an easy-to-follow instructions DVD. With that, you’ll be able to use the machine, whether you’re a beginner or an expert.
As mentioned, there are many sewing machines designed for heavy-duty fabrics. Unfortunately, since they come from different manufacturers, not all of them work as effectively as they are claimed. For that reason, you have to be careful when looking for the best sewing machine for thick fabrics.
It doesn’t matter whether you’ll be purchasing a sewing machine for the first time or you’re just upgrading the one you have. There are several important factors to put into consideration before you buy:
Which sewing machine is right for you?
If you decide to purchase a heavy-duty sewing machine, you must choose one that meets your needs. Remember, that you’ll be making an investment that’s going to affect the quality of work that you do. So, you want a machine that can help you carry out several projects in the shortest time possible without hiccups.
With that in mind, you need to pay attention to the following things before you ultimately pay for that particular model:
a.) Sufficient Power
The machine you choose must have enough drag power. Remember, heavy fabrics are hard to pierce and your machine must be equipped with the right piercing ability for such thick fabrics. For normal work and fabrics, a sewing machine with 75Watts of power may be good. Having said that, you can choose one depending on the type of work you’ll be doing and the type of fabrics you’ll be mostly dealing with.
b.) Types of Stitches
If you have purchased a sewing machine before, you know that there’s a wide variety when it comes to types of stitches. Some machines offer basic stitch options only. Others offer a lot of possibilities. If you want a machine to help you make simple things, you can go for those that offer simple stitch options.
However, if you want to have more options, then you should choose a machine that offers a wide range of options. You can get a sewing machine offering zigzag, straight, invisible, and elastic points. Additionally, the length and width of the stitches vary and you have to put that in mind when choosing the right model for you.
d.) Thread Tension
You must pay for a sewing machine that lets you adjust its thread tension manually. Although allowing the machine to automatically adjust the thread tension is the easiest and most convenient way, sometimes it’s appropriate to utilize the manual option.
e.) Presser Foot
Nearly all sewing machines provide users with the possibility of utilizing interchangeable pressure feet. Some machines perform advanced functions like eyelets. Moreover, it’s important to ensure there’s a possibility of placing double-height, especially when it comes to thick fabrics.
f.) Other important features
Since you specifically want a machine that can pierce through thick fabrics with ease, the machine must be a robust one. However, if you’ll be handling other projects such as quilts, making bedspreads, and curtains, you may require choosing a machine that can deal with a wide range of fabrics. You may want to also choose a machine with an extendable table and one that does work very fast.
Note that not all feature-rich sewing machines are suitable for your needs. If you’re going to do basic sewing projects, you may not need to invest a lot of money to get a machine with many features. You have to ensure that the one you choose is as user-friendly as possible. On the other hand, if you love sewing and are fully involved fully in crafting, you may even want to purchase a machine that offers every feature needed and more.
What’s the Design of the machine?
When it comes to the design of a sewing machine, consider how portable the machine is. Can you easily move it from one point to another? Ensure it’s as lightweight as possible. However, a too light machine may suggest that it’s made of plastic, which may affective its durability.
Reputable brands normally provide products made of quality materials that guarantee the durability and longevity of the machine. With that in mind, it’s important that you buy from a well-known brand. Also, for easy transportation, some machines have built-in handles or cases to protect them when you’re not using them.
Also, the free arm is another element of a good design. A machine with this feature allows you to make seams of tubular types easily such as cuffs or sleeves.
What about the accessories?
When it comes to the budget of the sewing machine, keep in mind that some machines sell at lower prices but come with fewer accessories. Others may be selling at a higher price but include more accessories.
If you purchase a machine with limited accessories than you need, then you’ll be forced to buy them, which will be an added cost. So, ensure you check the number of accessories included in the package before you pay.
Some of the accessories you can expect include different presser feet for eyelets, needles, double stitching, and tools for cleaning and basic maintenance.
How versatile is the machine?
Before you can decide which machine to take home, you should think about what other work you’ll be handling besides heavy fabrics. Keep in mind that your machine must be powerful enough to deal with thick fabrics and make quilts.
If your budget allows, you can choose a machine with more sophisticated features. A versatile machine will allow you a lot of functions to be able to handle many different projects. Whether you just want to do basic projects or decorative ones, you want a machine that can be all-round.
FAQs
What is the best sewing machine for thick fabrics?
There are many sewing machines out there on the market designed to handle thick fabrics. What sets these machines apart is their powerful piercing power. Some of the highly-rated sewing machines for heavy-duty fabrics include:
1. Brother XR9550PRW Sewing/Quilting Machine
2. SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist Sewing Machine
3. Juki HZL-F600 Computerized Sewing/Quilting Machine
4. Janome 2212 Sewing Machine
What tension should I use for thick fabric?
To easily deal with thick fabrics, you should put the upper limit tension such ad 4 to 5. With such a tension, you’ll be able to stitch with ease.
Which sewing machine is best for all types of fabric?
Some of the best sewing machines that you can use on all types of fabrics include the following:
1. Juki HZL-F600 Computerized Sewing/Quilting Machine
2. Brother HC1850 Sewing/Quilting Machine
3. Brother SE400 Combination Sewing 4x4 Embroidery
4. Brother XR9550PRW Sewing/Quilting Machine
5. Brother CS6000i Sewing/Quilting Machine
How do you machine sew really thick fabric?
It’s easy to sew thick fabrics if you have the right machine for the job. Just fold a scrap of fabric to ensure it is equal in thickness and then place the fabric under the presser foot and at the back so that it gets leveled again. But due to the thickness of the fabric, the pressure foot may not get leveled. Use a wedge to get the presser foot to level. If your machine’s pressure foot isn’t aligned properly, you’ll have to place a thick fabric or paper of the same thickness as of the fabric you’re sewing under the heel of the presser foot so that you can start sewing smoothly.
Final Thought
Buying a sewing machine specifically designed for heavy-duty fabrics is important. That’s because not all machines can handle thick fabrics with ease. With the help of my review and buyer’s guide, choosing the right model for you shouldn’t give you a headache. So, I leave you to pick the ideal model for your needs and budget.
