Last Updated on January 24, 2024
The Best Sewing Machine for Upholstery: Upholstery generally refers to the process in which one needs to make some cover for furniture using thick materials.
As for upholstery, thick materials need to be sewn, so regular sewing machines do not perform so well here. We need a powerful, speedy upholstery sewing machine to sew through these thick materials.
Our Top 3 Recommendations
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| Product Name | Price | Our Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 1. SINGER Heavy Duty 4423 – Winner | Check Details! | 4.7/5 |
| 2. Singer Heavy Duty 4411 – Runner Up | Check Details! | 4.7/5 |
| 3. Janome HD1000 Heavy-Duty – 2nd Runner Up | Check Details! | 4.5/5 |
Review of the Best Sewing Machine for Upholstery
There are so many upholstery sewing machines available under many brand’s names. Here we are reviewing the ten Best Sewing Machine for Upholstery, which you can buy online.
1. SINGER Heavy Duty 4423 Sewing Machine
| Material | Metal |
| Dimensions | 6.25″D x 15.5″W x 12″H |
| Item Weight | 14.5 Pounds |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Is Electric | Yes |
The Singer is a very famous and renowned brand in the field of sewing machines for a long time. Singer 4423 is well appreciated for its sewing speed and efficiency, and this machine has a first-class sewing speed. It can sew 1100 stitches within just a minute.
So, with this machine, you can finish your project very fast and effectively. Due to this high sewing speed, it can also sew through thick fabric. No matter what fabric you use, it can easily be sewn through that.
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The strength and sewing speed makes it one of the best sewing machines for upholstery. Singer 4423 is well constructed with metal, so the machine is quite durable and heavy. It will last long for this metal interior and will serve you well.
The powerful motor provides awesome power, and due to this, it can also sew multiple layers of fabric. Twenty-three built-in stitches help you to do decorative projects within no time. The automatic needle threading feature makes the edges of the thread sharp and gives it a smooth look. Overall, it is quite a good sewing machine for upholstery.
| Pros |
| – 23 built-in stitches – 1,100 stitches-per-minute – Constructed with a metal interior frame – Needle threading is automatic – Long-lasting |
| Cons |
| – Not suitable for massive projects |
2. Singer Heavy Duty 4411 Sewing Machine
| Material | Metal |
| Dimensions | 8.8″D x 18″W x 13.4″H |
| Item Weight | 14.5 Pounds |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Is Electric | Yes |
Singer 4411 is one of the best upholstery sewing machines you can buy. Its consumers well appreciate all its features. One can blindly believe this heavy duty machine in case of usability and performance. It will satisfy you in every manner. You’ll always get a satisfactory result from this sewing machine by the Singer.
This machine is also straightforward to use and well performed. The powerful motor provides quite a fast sewing speed. For this powerful motor, it is good at sewing thick fabric as well. It also features an adjustable needle position which comes very handy while sewing through multiple layers of fabric.
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The metal interior design makes it robust and long-lasting. As the machine is constructed by metal, not plastic or wood so it will last longer than that other sewing machines.
It has 11 built-in stitches for basic and decorative stitches. You can decorate your project beautifully using these stitches. It is quite fast as well. So, it is a pretty well-home sewing machine for upholstery.
| Pros |
| – Constructed with a metal interior frame – 11 Built-in Stitches – Adjustable needle positions – Adjustable presser foot control – 1,100 stitches per minute |
| Cons |
| – Not so well-performed in a massive project – Needle threading is difficult |
Read Also: Top Serger Sewing Machines for Beginners
3. Janome HD1000 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine
| Material | Aluminum, Metal |
| Dimensions | 8.5″D x 18.25″W x 15.25″H |
| Item Weight | 15 Pounds |
| Power Source | AC |
| Is Electric | Yes |
As thick materials are used in upholstery, a powerful machine is all we need. Janome HD1000 provides you with genuinely unmatched sewing power. It has a mighty motor that provides this power. With this power, it can sew any type of fabric and even multiple layers of fabric as well.
Due to this powerful motor, you can finish your work swiftly and reliably – any heavy-duty kind of project you can complete with this heavy-duty sewing machine for upholstery very comfortably. There are many fancy upholstery machines available online, but they are not so useful.
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That is not the case with Janome HD1000, it has some basic features, but these are very effective. It also features 14 built-in stitches. By which you can do both basic and decorative stitches.
You are also getting buttonhole features as well on this sewing machine. One can efficiently operate and handle the machine. The accessories make this machine more effective and easy to use as an upholstery sewing machine.
| Pros |
| – Made of Cast Aluminum – 14 Built-In Stitches – Built-in automatic needle threader – Free arm for sewing pants, cuffs, and collars – Includes a bunch of different accessories |
| Cons |
| – Bobbin often jams – A bit heavy |
4. Singer Heavy Duty 4452 Sewing Machine
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| Material | Metal |
| Dimensions | 6.25″D x 15.5″W x 12″H |
| Item Weight | 14.6 Pounds |
| Power Source | Treadle Powered |
| Is Electric | Yes |
In a sewing machine world, singer is not a new name. The Singer is a very trustworthy name in this field. They always make the best quality and high-performing sewing machines. Singer 4452 model also has these features.
It is made of high-quality material for long-lasting and high performance. Due to its sturdy build, it can easily handle large projects. No matter what your project is, it can sew it with ease. This heavy-duty sewing machine from Singer can also stitch multiple layers of fabrics.
The metal frame makes it more durable than other heavy duty machines. A powerful motor provides high stitching speed; it can sew up to 1100 stitches within just minutes. So, the machine is quite fast and powerful too.
The upholstery machine also has 32 built-in stitches for your creative needs. Here you will find both basic and innovative designs.
You can also make a buttonhole on this machine with just one simple step. In simple words, the machine will last for a long time fulfilling all your creative needs. It’s one of the best upholstery sewing machines.
| Pros |
| – 1,100 stitches-per-minute – Automatic one-step Buttonholes – Bedplate is made of stainless steel – 32 inbuilt stitches – Includes four bonus Heavy Duty optimized accessories |
| Cons |
| – No speed control – Sometimes jams with thick fabric |
Read Also: The 10 Best Sewing Machine for Advanced Sewers
5. Janome HD3000 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
| Material | Metal |
| Dimensions | 10″D x 19″W x 15″H |
| Item Weight | 18.7 Pounds |
| Power Source | Treadle Powered |
| Is Electric | Yes |
Janome HD300 is an ideal upholstery sewing machine. That is because it has all features favoring upholstery sewing. When we sew something for upholstery, then we often need to sew some thick and heavy materials.
Many sewing machines are not good at sewing these materials, but that is not the case with this upholstery machine. Janome HD-300 can easily sew through any type of thick and heavy equipment. It can also sew multiple layers of fabric quite efficiently and effectively.
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The Snap-on presser feet helps you to deal with any type of material. No matter how thick the material is, the machine can sew through it effectively. It also features 18 built-in stitches for both primary and decorative sewing projects. The powerful provide provides quite a good sewing speed and power as well.
Making buttonholes is not a hassle anymore; with this machine, you can also do that easily. You can access all its features by just two simple dials. So, it is also effortless to operate as well. This the probably the best sewing machine for upholstery out there.
| Pros |
| – Built-in needle threader – Snap-on presser feet – Foot pressure adjustment – Reverse stitch lever – 18 stitches, one-step buttonhole |
| Cons |
| – Not so portable – Not so good at sewing denim |
6. JUKI TL-2000Qi Sewing and Quilting Machine
| Material | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 8.6″D x 17.8″W x 13.8″H |
| Item Weight | 25.4 Pounds |
| Power Source | Treadle Powered |
| Is Electric | Yes |
Juki is also a big name as a sewing machine producer. They are well-known for making innovative sewing machines. You’ll find some features on Juki that do not have on any other upholstery machines. For example, on this machine, there are LEDs and one pedal operating feature which are unique.
This machine is designed on purpose to serve quilting and upholstery needs. The machine is well-constructed with metal. So it is quite powerful in the case of construction. When it comes to speed, the machine is super speedy. You can sew more than 1500 stitches within just a minute.
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When we work on a large project, then we need quite ample space to sew, for that the JUKI TL-2000Qi Sewing machine features an extension table. So, you can also do free arm sewing and large project quite easily on this upholstery machine.
The LEDs on this machine come in very handy in dark conditions. It is challenging to work on a dark conditions, and then these lights help a lot for useful sewing. Due to its performance, this machine is as well-fit as an upholstery sewing machine.
| Pros |
| – 1500 SPM – Automatic needle threader – Aluminum die-cast arm and bed – Extension table included – Updated with LED lights – One pedal operation |
| Cons |
| – Not so easy to operate – Not good for beginner |
Read Also: Singer Heavy Duty 4423 Sewing Machine Reviews
7. REX Portable Walking-Foot Sewing Machine
| Material | Cast Iron |
| Dimensions | 10″D x 18″W x 0.1″H |
| Item Weight | 37.3 Pounds |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Is Electric | No |
Rex is a well-known name in the field of sewing machines. They are producing high-quality industrial sewing machine for a long time. This ancient brand is famous for making blind stitch machines.
The body of the upholstery machine is constructed with iron metal. This makes the sewing machine an industrial standard. Due to high-quality metal, you can use it for an extended timeframe. The powerful motor and metal frame interior makes it a perfect combo of power and speed.
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The machine can sew at a very high speed. Rx-607 is an ideal sewing machine for sewing leather and denim type thick material. We often need to sew thick material for upholstering there; this is a perfect choice.
This automotive upholstery sewing machine also features Snap-On presser feet, which is a much-needed feature for upholstery sewing. That is because it helps a lot while you sew through a thick material. For the stitch pattern, it has some different styles.
Overall, this is one of the best upholstery sewing machines available on the market.
| Pros |
| – Made of full cast iron – Affordable price – Needle size 135×17 size 22 – Bobbin tension is adjustable – Ideal for leather/canvas material/jeans |
| Cons |
| – Not good for beginner |
8. JUKI DDL-8700-Servo Industrial Stitch Sewing Machine
| Material | Leather |
| Dimensions | 20″D x 48″W x 48″H |
| Item Weight | 28 Pounds |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Is Electric | Yes |
If you’re searching for a speedy and well-performing sewing machine, this machine from Juki may be the one for you. Juki DDL-8700 Industrial Stitch Sewing Machine is specially designed for industrial needs. As we all know, in the industry, they do hefty and speedy work there.
So, the machine is quite powerful and swift. This powerful and fast machine is capable enough to serve all your necessary sewing speeds within a short time. As the machine can sew 5500 stitches in under a minute, no, you can finish even large projects with very little time.
The maximum stitch length is 5mm on this sewing machine, which is quite a lot compared to other industrial machines. Juki is well capable of sewing through light and medium fabrics quite effectively.
It is very common to feel high vibration while sewing at a high speed. The servo motor does a great job here; it reduces the vibration to a meager amount. It is a good industrial sewing machine for upholstery due to its performance.
| Pros |
| – Max. Sewing Speed: 5500 Stitches/minute – Max. Stitch Length: 5mm – Needle: DB X 1, sizes 9-18 – Powerful and quiet motor – Ideal for medium and light fabric |
| Cons |
| – Not so good on thick fabrics |
Read Also: Janome VS Singer Sewing Machine
9. JUKI DU-1181N Top and Bottom Feed Sewing Machine
| Material | Metal |
| Dimensions | 0.79″D x 1.89″W x 1.89″H |
| Power Source | AC |
| Is Electric | Yes |
If you are searching for an industrial sewing machine that can handle multiple layers of thick material, then here no more; here it is. This industrial machine features a free mechanism both in the top and bottom. Due to this, the JUKI DU-1181N industrial machine can handle multiple layers of fabric pretty easily.
For this reason, the machine is pretty good as an auto upholstery sewing machine. It also provides a high-quality stitch. No matter what type of fabric you sew with this industrial machine, you will always get consistent results.
For a more consistent and effective sewing experience, it has a double capacity hook. You can also control the stitch length as well on this industrial sewing machine, so the motor it has is quite powerful. So, it provides excellent stitching speed as well.
The adjustable foot presser makes it easy for you to sew through thick material. Though it has a powerful motor, the motor makes very little noise and vibration. Overall, this industrial machine is one of the best sewing machines for upholstery that money can buy.
| Pros |
| – Max. Sewing Speed: 2000 stitches/min – Max. Stitch Length: 9mm – 110V with industrial clutch motor – Needle: DB X 1 – High performing |
| Cons |
| – Bobbin winding is hard |
10. Highlead GC0618-1SC Heavy Duty Compound Feed Machine
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Is Electric | Yes |
Highlead GC0618-1SC sewing machine is a specially designed sewing machine for medium and thick materials. One can easily sew thick materials like leather and denim very easily with ease on this sewing machine. It has a lot of features due to those it can sew any type of fabric.
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Due to the pressure feet, it can sew thick material without facing any difficulty as the machine has a lot of features regarding sewing thick material, so it is quite the best sewing machine for upholstery.
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The double capacity hook provides more safety than any other heavy-duty machine. Also, it gives improved quality sewing and satisfactory result. The motor is mighty. Due to this motor, it offers quite a fast sewing speed as well. It can sew 2000 stitches within just a minute.
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The stitch length is also adjustable. This comes in very handy when you need to make decorative stitches. The powerful feeding system makes it easy to feed the sewing machine. Due to its sewing capacity, the machine is an excellent choice for upholstery sewing projects.
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| Pros |
| – 2000 Spm – Adjustable stitch Length – Needle Bar Stroke – 71.5 mm – Double Capacity Hook – Manual Lubrication |
| Cons |
| – Hard to control – A beginner may find some difficulty |
Read Also: The 10 Best Portable Sewing Machine for Beginners
What to Consider When Choosing a Sewing Machine for Upholstery?
When buying a sewing machine for upholstery, there are a lot of things to consider. That is because a sewing machine specially designed for upholstery projects usually has special features and strength to deal with thick fabrics, whereas a regular sewing machine does not have at all.
Therefore, here we will discuss some necessary features which are crucial for choosing the best home sewing machine for upholstery:
Heavy Duty Construction
For upholstery jobs, a sewing machine needs to be strong enough to handle a variety of fabrics. The good the construction of the machine, the longer the machine will last. Therefore, in terms of sewing upholstery, the sewing machine’s robustness is the sewer’s main concern.
Usually, a sewing machine with an internal metal frame works best for upholstery. Heavy-duty frames assure stability and produce very professional results. So you should buy a sewing machine that is constructed of metal for long-term uses.
There are also sewing machines available that are built of plastic or wood; those will not be as good as a metal for upholstery.
However, if you have enough room for a large and heavy sewing machine in your home, then you should buy a big one. That is because the big machines are heavily powered, so they can sew through any type of fabric, which is essential for upholstery.
Power
Sewing machines get their power from their motor. The powerful is the motor; the powerful is the machine. So, you should go for a machine that provides high power.
Powerful sewing machines can sew through any type of fabric and also makes the work faster as well. Another feature of a powerful motor is that during heavy work, it will not get overheated. So you can finish your work effectively.
Presser’s Foot
For an upholstery sewing machine, a presser foot with a high lift is a must-have feature. The feature is so important because, due to this feature, you can easily set the height of the presser foot.
For this, no matter how thick the material is, it will easily pass through it. Commonly, you often need to sew thick material while you’ll find these features very handy.
Sewing Speed
When purchasing an upholstery sewing machine, don’t overlook its speed. Advanced sewers who need to complete many projects in the shortest possible time need machines with faster speed.
On the contrary, if you are a newbie and have just begun, choose one with an adjustable speed function.
However, we all want a sewing machine that works fast. So, it is good to have a high-speed sewing machine. It will help you to do the work more quickly and effectively.
A sewing machine with speedy sewing can also handle multiple layers of thick fabric. So, try to choose the smart option for the money you will spend here.
Automatic Needle Threader
Inserting the needle manually was pretty difficult in the earlier version of the upholstery sewing machine.
Therefore, nowadays, the majority of upholstery sewing machines come with an automatic needle threader that takes little time and effort to thread your machine’s needle. So, make sure that your machine has an automatic needle threader.
Built-in Stitches
Built-in or pre-programmed stitches are helpful. Depending on the type and style of stitching you’re looking for, you should select an upholstery sewing machine with a particular number of built-in stitches.
The common stitches with a seam utility offered on most sewing machines are straight, zigzag, and blind. But if you need something more decorative, make sure the sewing machine you buy has those stitches.
User-Friendly Design
A sewing machine with a user-friendly design is suitable for a beginner. That is because if the machine is difficult to use and understand, then many find it hard to use. So, choose a sewing machine with simple and comfortable features.
FAQs
No, you cannot use a regular household sewing machine with upholstery’s heavy-duty thread and an industrial-grade needle.
Yes, upholstery fabric necessitates the use of specialized thread. Although the all-purpose thread will suffice for most upholstery jobs, bonded nylon thread is preferred for additional strength.
No, it is also possible to upholster a chair without a sewing machine. You only need some fabric and a few tools to complete this simple DIY project.
Upholstery fabric is usually thicker than other fabrics. So, you will need needles that can go through the fabric uniformly. If the needles are too thin, they will break, and the stitches won’t be even.
Also, because it is heavier, you will need thicker threads to hold the upholstery fabric together. In particular, the best upholstery thread will be made of polyester that is 100 percent polyester.
Lastly, if you want to sew upholstery, you may need to add a backing. It requires a big sewing machine that can handle the weight and size of the project.
We use 100/16, 110/18, and 120/20 sizes of needles for denim, canvas, and upholstery fabric. The more the weight of the fabric, the larger the size of the needle.
The most common bonded thread size for upholstery is #69. Despite being thinner than #277, it is still strong enough to sew quickly without worrying about breaking.
The major difference between upholstery and regular thread is the robustness of the thread. The upholstery thread is pretty stronger than the regular thread.
100% Nylon thread is best suitable for upholstery fabric. The heavyweight, 3-ply nylon thread is resistant to weather and UV light.
Polyester batting is suitable for upholstery. It softens the edges of furniture and protects outdoor furniture by resisting mildew. It is more uniform than foam, and the batting is used to make quilts.
There is some all-purpose thread-like monofilament, which you can use for quilting and upholstery. Along with quilting, Nylon based monofilament thread is well capable of bearing the tension of upholstery.
Final Verdict
Here, we tried to let you know everything about an upholstery sewing machine. There are a lot of sewing machines available online.
We researched and brought you the ten Best Sewing Machines for Upholstery among them. In this review article, there are some types of sewing machines choose carefully the best one for you.
