Best Sewing Machine for Denim (2021): A Detailed Guide with Pricing
Are you on the hunt for the best sewing machine for denim? If so this post has you covered.
Sewing denim can be a daunting task, especially when you are using the wrong tools. In this post, we review the best sewing machine for denim projects on the market.
Sewing Machine Model | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
$276 | ||
$327 | ||
$349 | ||
$624 | ||
$359 |
Before you get knee deep into this post, lets go over a few basics and things that you should be aware of before selecting a sewing machine for your denim projects.
Why Do Denim Projects Require Special Sewing Machines?
Denim is a thick fabric that requires to be sewn using a strong and long lasting sewing machine.
Because denim is thick, it requires a sewing machine that can handle tougher and thicker fabrics.
In this article, we are going to cover what makes a denim sewing machine different from others and the guidelines to buying the best sewing machine for your denim projects.
What Are the Best Sewing Machine Needles for Denim?
When youre planning to sew denim, the size and type of the needle matters a lot.
The best sewing machine needles to use for denim, jeans and canvas materials should be heavy duty needles with a size of 100/16. These needles are specially crafted for heavier fabrics.
In the case of sewing machine needles for denim machines, Singer and Schmetz are two popular brands that make heavy duty machine needles that you can use to sew denim.
What Thread Should You Use for Sewing Denim?
Choosing the right thread for sewing denim can eliminate many issues that can occur when dealing with heavy and thick fabric.
Using a thread that is too lightweight will result to skipped stitches. It will also tear easily because the fabric is not strongly stitched.
For denim, a polyester thread labeled "Blue Jeans" is the most appropriate. It comes in a variety of colors used for denim. Amazon and Walmart have a huge assortment of these types of threads available.
What is the Best Presser Foot To Use for Denim?
A presser foot holds the fabric flat on the sewing machine so that it does not move during stitching with the needle, up and down. Sewing denim definitely requires an extra high presser foot lift.
For denim projects, you'll want to use either a walking foot or an edge stitching foot. Your sewing machine manufacturer may also carry their own specialized denim presser feet. If they do, then its best to use that.
In case they dont, you can get a universal kit that has a wide assortment of presser feet in it.
Tips for Choosing the Right Sewing Machines for Denim Projects
First, you should know that most sewing machines for denim are also referred to as heavy duty sewing machines like the Singer 4411 Heavy Duty sewing machine that we covered in a previous post.
Sewing machines that can handle thicker fabrics like denim are not necessarily labeled heavy duty. What you should look out for instead is the quality of the sewing machine.
More specifically, some of the things that you should look for when choosing the best sewing machine for denim projects are:
1. The Sewing Machine Motor
A sewing machine for denim requires a strong motor. A motor coordinates the movement of the needle together with the fabric that is automatically fed to the machine.
A strong motor will be able to drive the needle into the tough fabric. A weak motor will wear out fast. It may also fail to move the needle into the thick fabric.
2. Stitches per minute
As we've previously stated, denim is a heavy fabric. When you're sewing denim the needle needs to pass the needle through the heavy denim fabric, therefore, the number of stiches per minute matters.
A sewing machine with high number of stitches per minute ensures there are no missed stitches.
3. Leveling button
A leveling button is a button that’s found on the presser foot. The leveling button allows the presser foot to accommodate thicker fabric as it is being fed through the machine.
This is accomplished by pressing the button, which lifts the presser feet up to climb over the fabric as it thickens.
A leveling button comes in handy when sewing seams in denim, an area that leads mostly to breaking of needles. The leveling button moves the presser foot up on multi-layer side seam in denims.
When youre sewing denim, without a leveling button leads to breaking of needles. This is because as the denim is being seamed, the fabric thickens.
5 of the BEST Sewing Machines For Denim
Okay guys,
We've come to the part where we are going to take a look at some of the most popular sewing machines for denim available in the market. These sewing machines range from heavy duty ones to computerized machines.
Were also including a list features a list of our favorite machines that will help you get the most of your sewing machine.
Let's dive into the list.
1. Janome HD3000
The Janome HD 3000 is a sewing machine that works extremely well in sewing denim and leather. It has a very high presser foot, an automatic needle threader, a free arm, and 18 in built stitches.
It is a mechanical machine, that sews up to 860 stitches per minute making it a powerful option for beginners that want to sew denim.
This sewing machine is made of metal apart from a few exterior features. It weighs less than some of the other sewing machines for denim, and can be easily moved around.
Based on reviews from folks that use this machine, it produces high quality stitches that sewists will are pleased with. The biggest downside to this machine is that the 18 inbuilt stitches are low, and can possibly result in skipped stitches.
In addition, because the stitches are so limited you won't be able to use it to sew decorative stitches on your denim. For decorative stitches you will need to use a sewing machine for embroidery.
What We Love About this Sewing Machine?
- Features an automatic needle threader (that makes it easier for you to thread your sewing machine)
- Comes with extra accessories that include needles, bobbins, screwdrivers and other accessories
- Has free sewing arms to help you sew pants, cuffs, collars, and hem pants like a champ
- Heavy Duty alumimum cover (better for wear and tear)
- Removable free arm (which is perfect for small openings) if you need it
Cons:
Based on our research it appears that this machine requires oiling and cleaning often and is a tad slower than other sewing machines.
The Verdict:
With more than 300+ great reviews on Amazon, the Janome HD 1000 sewing machine seems to be a favorite amongst the sewing community. You can click here to read more reviews about it.
2. Brother ST371HD
The Brother ST371HD is a simple yet powerful heavy duty sewing machine that's built for sewing tougher fabrics like denim and canvas.
It has an automatic needle threader, 3 styles of one step buttonholes and 37 inbuilt stitches. It has a memorized up down needle stop position that allows one to decide how the needle stops, either up or down.
Much like the Janome HD3000, this sewing machine has a powerful motor that will take on heavier fabrics without missing a beat. Although it is heavy to carry, it is accompanied with a case that has a handle which makes it convenient to carry it.
What We Love About this Sewing Machine?
- Heavy Duty alumimum cover (better for wear and tear)
- Sews up to 800 stitches per minute
- Built-in automatic needle threader
- Easy reverse button (to clear up any issues with sewing projects)
- Fifty in built stitches to diversify your denim projects
Cons:
Like the JanoneHD3000, this sewing machine has a limited amounts of stitches. This just means that it cant be used to add decorative touches to your denim.
The Verdict:
With a 4.4 star rating on Amazon, the Brother ST371HD sewing machine is a great choice for sewing denim projects. You can click here to read more reviews about it.
3. Quantum Stylist 9960
The SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 is a powerful computerized sewing machine for denim. It has an automatic needle threader, it has 600 built in stitches, it has an automatic thread cutter, a 13 one step buttonholes and an electronic auto-pilot option.
All the features mentioned above makes the SINGER 9960 sewing machine the best for all works on denim. On the other hand, this computerized sewing machine is pricier than any other sewing machine for denim. It is also not suitable for beginners because it is very advanced.
What We Love About this Sewing Machine?
- It is highly rated and well-priced on Amazon for computerized sewing machines (with more than 3,600 reviews)
- Has an automatic needle threader (that makes it easier to thread your machine)
- Features (hold onto your seats) 600 built-in stitches, 5 different fonts, and 13 built in buttonholes that you can use to sew all types of projects like a pro!
- Is a high speed sewing machine that can produce up to 850 stitches per minute
- Comes with over 17 different presser feet to help you complete (embroidery, blind hem, rolled hem feet, cording feet,quilting feet and more)
- Has an extension table (for larger working areas)
- Heavy duty frame (solid and will last longer)
- One-touch stitch selection (you can easily change stitches on your sewing machine with the click of a button)
- 25 year limited warranty
Cons:
The one thing that has been mentioned about this machine is that it tends to get a little noisy at times.
The Verdict:
With over 3,600 reviews on Amazon, the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 sewing machine is an excellent machine for sewing denim projects. You can read more reviews about this sewing machine right here.
4. Singer 4411
The SINGER 4411 is a great sewing machine for denim and any heavy duty task. With over 23 built-in stitches, 6 basic stitches, and 4 decorative stitches and an automatic needle threader, it makes it a great choice for sewing projects.
It has the basic utility stitches and in addition decorative stitches and stretch stitches. The machine has a heavy duty metal that prevents skipped stitches even when the machine is sewing at full speed.
One disadvantage of the SINGER 4411 sewing machine is that it is quite noisy compared to other sewing machines for denim.
What We Love About this Sewing Machine?
- It is a highly rated and well-priced sewing machine on Amazon for heavy duty sewing machines (with more than 3,500 reviews)
- Features 23- built in stitches ( basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole) that will help you complete all kinds of sewing projects with ease
- Automatic needle threader (makes it easier to thread your machine)
- Heavy duty frame
- Can produce up to 1100 stitches per minute
- 25 year limited warranty
Cons:
As mentioned previously, because of the motor size in this machine, it can get a little noisy at times.
The Verdict:
With over 3,500 reviews on Amazon, the Singer 4411 sewing machine is an excellent machine for sewing denim projects. You can check out our Singer 4411 sewing machine review to get a full jist of its capabilities.
5. Brother ST150HDH
If you own an Esty shop or online store, then the Brother ST150HDH is a sewing machine that you need to add to your arsenal.
It comes packed with a ton of features that will help you sew through the toughest fabrics (like denim, suede and leather) that include: 50 built in stitches (standard and decorative), an automatic needle threader, and 9 extra sewing feet.
Unlike some of the other basic heavy duty sewing machines, this sewing machine gives you the ability to add decorative stitches to your denim.
Running at a speed of 850 stitches per minute, its been reported to sew through multiple layers of heavy fabrics without slowing down.
One disadvantage of the Brother ST150HDH sewing machine is that it is doesnt have a thread cutter.
What We Love About this Sewing Machine?
- Jam packed with features and well-priced sewing machine on Amazon for heavy duty sewing machines
- Features 50- built in stitches ( basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole) that will help you complete all kinds of sewing projects with ease
- Has an LCD Screen that you can use to view your stitch selections
- Automatic needle threader (makes it easier to thread your machine)
- Heavy duty frame
- Can produce up to 850 stitches per minute
- LED light that brightens up your workspace
- 25 year limited warranty
Cons:
Based on reviews, the biggest complaint about this machine is that it does not have a thread cutter.
The Verdict:
With a 4.7 rating on Amazon, the Brother ST150HD sewing machine is an excellent machine that anyone will enjoy for sewing denim projects. You can read more reviews about this machine here on Amazon.
Conclusion
All of these sewing machines have unique features and capabilites that make them a great choice for sewing denim.
However, we think that the best sewing machines for denim are either the Singer 4411 Heavy Duty Machine or the Brother ST150HD .
The Singer 4411 has over 3,000 plus great ratings, a powerful motor and stitches up to 1100 stitches per minute.
Now:
If you want a powerful sewing machine that is jam packed with features, a heavy duty frame and that you can use to add decorative stitches to your denim, then we recommend the Brother ST150HD.
Thanks for reading!
