Sewing Machine Recommendations

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MMcCawley

Member
Sep 11, 2010
156
San Clemente, Ca
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1989 268 Sundancer
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454 Mercruiser w/Bravo I Drive
Hi Everyone,

My wife and I just purchased a 1989 268 Sundancer that we're in the process of restoring. One of the many projects on our list is to re-upholster the cabin area (V-berth, mid-berth and table cushions). We anticipate using a Sunbrella or similar material. I'm planning on purchasing a used, heavy duty/industrial type sewing machine and was wondering if anyone with experience can provide input as to what type of machine to look for. To date, neither my wife or I have any experience sewing.

Also, any recommendations of sewing techniques, books or videos are appreciated!

Thanks for your input,
Matt
 
The key option you need is a "walking foot" or compound feed. Most industrial sewing machine manufacturers sell a needle feed as well as a walking foot feed. The difference is important....a needle feed is where the needle penetrates the fabric and moves to the rear as the feed dog pulls the fabric thru. They will slip when you cross multiple plies where a seam must be crossed and when they do, you stack up stitches and the feed dog can damage the fabric. On a walking foot machine, the needle moves when the needle in down, but the presser foot also moves in unison with the feed dog and the needle. It is almost impossible for a walking foot machine to slip....they will just about sew corn cobs.

Since speed isn't important in your application, I would look for a Singer 111-155, but you might look for other brands (Consew, Juki, Tacsew, Brother, etc. ...... since about 15 manufacturers have copied the Singer 111-155 compound feed machine and many imports are about as cheap as a Singer. You might luck into an old Singer in the $500 area, but be sure it is complete with table, top, pan, motor (120v or single phase 240V) and bobbin winder since you can easily spend another $500 to make it ready to use.
 
Be sure to post some picture's of your project.
 
if you are a novice , you might consider a dc motor for your machine. Clutch motors can be difficult to master. the dc will let you sew one stitch at a time making turns very easy. Fweb's info is on the money. any of those machines he mentioned can use a dc motor about 150.00 Saiko machines can be retimmed with the push of a button. something to think about. Timming can cost about 100-150 every time you jam the machine.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I've found a Mitzi Industrial "Straight Stitch" sewing machine for sale locally. Any thoughts on this particular brand? I haven't been able to determine 1) if this is a reputable brand or 2) if its a walking foot. The lack of information online concerns me that I wouldn't be able to purchase replacement parts.

Thanks,
Matt
 
I googled Mitzi. Well, I didn't find any sewing machine parts, but...
 
You can't go wrong with the Sailrite machine. It's portable and powerful but the most important thing for a novice is that it will run very slow if you want it to. I also have a Consew that works great but is a bit more tricky to get used to. Mark
 
I bought a Brother XL 2600i. I knew nothing about sewing machines - at least not the technical stuff that Frank mentioned above - but I read an awful lot of user reviews before clicking BUY. Reviewers found that this machine would go through several layers of denim no problem so I figured it would work with Sunbrella. Initially, I bought it to make some throw pillows to replace the Miami Vice colored ones on my boat a few years back. I have since used it to make repairs to my bridge enclosure where the old cotton stitching disintegrated. I bought the appropriate needles and nylon thread from sailrite.com at Gary's recommendation.

I practiced a lot, first on old sheets. Then I tried sewing isinglass scraps to sunbrella scraps (from a local canvas shop). Then I tried it on the enclosure. Definitely a learning curve but the machine performed admirably.

The only problem is when you have to sew in the middle of a long piece of material. The "throat" (correct term??) of the machine is shallow so it's difficult to get the material to pass through. It was tricky - a lot of cussing and do-overs. Might have been easier to take it to a canvas shop and have them restitch (which I have done as well). But I love a good challenge.

I toyed with the idea of making a bridge cover and figured out it just wasn't worth it. So I had the canvas shop do that. Then I almost made a cover for the forward salon windows but, again, figured it just wasn't worth it. I don't love a challenge THAT much.
 
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I have a Juki 1541 walking foot machine. It plain kicks ass. It'll sew through 1/4" plywood - no joke.

I once rolled vinyl material back and forth onto itself about 7 times... It was probably 3/4" thick. The machine sewed through it like butter.

Like Frank mentioned the Singer 111w is a work horse. The only downside is that it has no reverse. They never used reverse way back, but it is a very nice convenience to have. Try finding a used Consew 206r, Consew 226r, Juki 563, or Juki 1541 on Craigslist/Ebay. I would pay no more than $400-500 for a used machine sight unseen. There is also another brand that goes by several different names (Highlead model GC0618, Tachsew also makes the same thing, etc) that are very good and can be purchased new for slightly more than a used machine. I think they are Japanese copies. If you're looking for advice or equipment, call Keystone Sewing Machine. They are located in Philadelphia, PA but they ship everywhere. Ask for Greg. The used units may cost slightly more than Craigslist/Ebay, but they have been totally reconditioned and Keystone stands by their machine.

http://www.keysew.com/index.htm

Doug
 
Everyone, thank you for your replies. Looks like there are many great choices out there. At this point I think I'll continue to check Craigslist and see if I can find a used industrial machine with a walking foot and reverse in the $300-500 range.

Doug- I spoke with Greg at Keysew. A very nice guy. I'm looking at $900+ for a refurbished Japanese or new Chinese machine. Sounds like a fair price but I'm not quite sure I can justify that just yet.

Matt
 
MMcCawley said:
Everyone, thank you for your replies. Looks like there are many great choices out there. At this point I think I'll continue to check Craigslist and see if I can find a used industrial machine with a walking foot and reverse in the $300-500 range.

Doug- I spoke with Greg at Keysew. A very nice guy. I'm looking at $900+ for a refurbished Japanese or new Chinese machine. Sounds like a fair price but I'm not quite sure I can justify that just yet.

Matt
Click to expand...

Matt,

Glad he was helpful. That pricing seems about right. Just make sure you start out with a good machine (whatever you end up with) because a bad machine will make learning even harder initially. And take my word that you will gain a very good appreciation for what upholsterers make look easy. It's very eye opening but defintely worth the learning curve. Good luck!

Doug
 
I was wondering if some of you expert sewers can help me out. I've found someone locally who is selling numerous machines as a fundraiser but since they were donated to her she is unfamiliar which machines have reverse and a walking foot. I've Googled some of the model numbers but haven't been able to tell if they have reverse or walking feet. Many of the sewing machines appear to be special purpose (Threadlock, Buttonholer, Hemming, etc) but I'm not exactly sure. Can anyone recommend a good website where I can research the various brands/models of machines and their features/intended use or tell me which (if any) of these machines are worthwhile?

Thanks for your help,
Matt

SewingMachines.jpg
 
Of those you have listed, only the Pfaff, Juki and Singer machines could be compound feed. I don't know what the Mitsubishi is.

Unfortunately, the seller has not listed the sub-class numbers on the Pfaff and Juki heads. further, they have some serial numbers instead of class numbers on the list.

It looks to me like you are going to need to go see the equipment and get the class and serial numbers as well as to see if the machines were "sewn off" when they were removed from production. A properly sewn off machine will have the last piece of cloth it sewed under the presser foot with the stitches shown, the needle down and will still be threaded from the needle to the thread posts. It is quite likely that some or all of the donated machines have been scavenged for parts, which is quite common when equipment is taken out of production.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.....so be careful you don't buy into a project to just get the machine to sew.
 
The Juki 552/555 are both straight lockstitch machines with bottom feed dogs (non-walking foot machine).

The Pfaff 563 and 463 are straight lockstitch machines with bottom feed dogs (non-walking foot machine).

The Mitsubishi Ls2-1130 is also a straight lockstitch machine with bottom feed dogs (non-walking foot machine).

All the singer machines listed are also straight lockstitch machines.

My guess is that all this equipment came from a fabric company for light weight fabrics.

Doug
 
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