Professional sewing machines best types and models

Starting with the basics, that is, the academic definition provided by the authoritative Treccani, a machine is “an instrument, apparatus, or device consisting of a variable number of interconnected parts, designed to perform certain actions.” In this case, the basic action of the machine is to sew, or – again quoting Treccani – “to join pieces or other garments together by sewing work.”

The earliest information about the invention of a sewing machine dates back to the mid-18th century, more precisely to 1755, when German Karl Friedrich Wiesenthal obtained a patent for a mechanical sewing system based on a double-pointed needle with a central eye. However, the German inventor’s design was not accompanied by adequate technical documentation, so it was always very difficult to attribute authorship of the first real sewing machine to him.

In 1790 it was the turn of Englishman Thomas Saint, who patented a system capable of chain stitching on leather and canvas materials. The prototype is still preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

After attempts by the Viennese Joseph Madersperger, who experimented with different types of machines and ways of stitching but could never solve the problem of having to reload the device every 160 stitches, one of the great breakthroughs in the field came in 1829 thanks to the Frenchman Barthélemy Thimonnier.

It was this tailor from L’Arbresle, a commune in the Rhone region, who successfully created and popularized the first truly practical model of sewing machine. He obtained the patent in July 1830 and also immediately opened the world’s first textile company, engaging it in the production of military uniforms for the French army. It was a small revolution that greatly frightened the local tailors, who rebelled for fear of being out of work and raided the factory to destroy the machines and set fire to the shed. Most of them were later arrested and sentenced to a few months’ imprisonment by the Royal French Court. Fortunately, a few examples of Thimonnier’s machine escaped the destructive riot, making it to the present day. One of these models is on display at the London Science Museum.

The eagerness to patent the “perfect sewing machine” also spread overseas to the United States. Probably only Walter Hunt remained unaffected, who in 1832 built a highly successful two-thread shuttle stitch machine that he chose not to file so as not to cause an effect on employment and to avoid running into the unpleasant experience of his French colleague a few years earlier.

The first real prototype sewing machine capable of effectively incorporating all the innovations introduced in the preceding decades was the one built in 1844 by English inventor John Fisher, two years before Elias Howe (for a process that used thread from two different sources) and a full six years before the first Singer model. Unfortunately for Fisher, the patent filing procedure was not done properly and he was mocked by Isaac Merritt Singer himself, opening a season that was called the “patent war.”

Beyond the legal disputes, Singer sewing machines were a huge success and dominated the market within months of the launch of the first models (also thanks to the introduction of the installment purchase system, an ingenious gimmick for the time) and still continues to be one of the most celebrated brands in the industry.

With reference to the technical progress of sewing machines, excluding the latest electronic and networked models, we can basically identify three evolutionary states: hand mechanics, foot mechanics, and electric motor.

The primordial models of sewing machines were mechanical and required a great deal of operator intervention. They were operated by hand, by means of a crank applied to the flywheel, and both hands had to be used: the right hand moved the fabric forward, producing the movement of the needle and the bobbin; the left hand, on the other hand, was responsible for controlling and directing the sewing material.

Later, the foot pedal was introduced. Placed under the table and operated by the foot, it triggered the needle movement by freeing both hands to allow more precise guidance of the fabric.

The 20th century saw the introduction of electrically powered machines, thanks to a small motor used to power the movement of the needle, which increased its stitch frequency and the overall precision of operations.

After World War II, in which most textile industries were engaged in wartime production, technological progress in textiles aimed mainly at the practicality of using and transporting sewing machines. Increasingly lighter materials were introduced but still able to meet market demands for strength and long-term performance.

The evolution continued until the 1970s and 1980s, when sewing machines achieved the forms and functionality we know today, both in industrial and domestic settings.

Rotary blade fabric cutters are available in several types designed to meet specific cutting needs.

Widely used at both amateur and professional levels, manual rotary cutters feature a circular blade that rotates when pushed through the fabric, ideal for curved, detailed and linear cuts. Versions with ergonomic handles offer greater comfort during prolonged use, reducing hand and wrist fatigue, thus making them preferred for intensive, long-duration work.

Some cutters have serrated blades, which are very useful for creating decorative edges or for processing materials that tend to fray easily, while others have scallop blades, which produce a wavy edge that is particularly popular for some special decorations. Double-blade cutters, on the other hand, allow two parallel lines to be cut at the same time, greatly speeding up the creation of fabric strips, to be used for quilting, for example.

Powered by a motor, electric cutters allow large amounts of fabric to be cut quickly and with the utmost precision, minimizing the physical effort of resources employed in the textile industry and professional tailoring. Some models have built-in guides, which help maintain a straight and precise cutting line, proving ideal for beginner users or those who need extra care in straight cuts.

Finally, pressure cutters, which work by applying downward pressure to the blade during cutting, perfect tools for working with thick or layered fabrics.

Professional sewing machines are conceived and designed to meet a wide variety of market demands. Professional tailors, ateliers, small, medium and large textile companies need to be equipped with multifunctional, fast and extremely precise sewing machines that can maximize production without skimping on the quality of workmanship.

Precisely because they are used for long periods at maximum capacity, professional sewing machines must guarantee high standards of robustness, resulting from the use of high-quality materials and mechanics.

The speed and power of the built-in motors enable professional machines to work at high rates without compromising the excellent seams on any type of fabric or material, even the thickest and most complex to process.

In this regard, a key feature is precisely the provision of advanced fabric feeding (or transport) systems, which ensure an even feed of material during stitching, reducing the risk of creases or smears. On a practical level, this is one of the most important differences from a traditional home sewing machine, to which it is very often necessary to add a double presser foot precisely to obviate the problem of wrinkles and smears in the stitch.

Just with reference to stitches, professional machines offer a wide selection of stitches, which include decorative stitches, elastic, zig-zag, special stitches and alphanumeric characters useful for any creative project.

A further and fundamental distinguishing feature of these models is the large working area and the presence of the free arm, which makes even the most complex seams such as those on tubular garments such as sleeves and pants particularly easy and precise.

Finally, professional sewing machines offer a range of advanced adjustments that allow users to customize settings to suit specific project requirements, from automatic thread cutting to automatic trimming, from automated stitching programs to the exchange of processing data with production cycle management control computer systems.

The questions that need to be asked before making a sewing machine purchase are the following: what is my project? What do I need to sew? On what fabrics?

Therefore, it is very important to be clear about the boundaries and characteristics of your creative project. Based on this preliminary assessment, it will then be possible to proceed to choose models based on features, functionality, accessories and price.

For example, those who need to carry out mere tailoring operations, i.e., garment making or mending, will have to choose a machine that can best perform basic stitches, elastic stitches, reinforcement stitches and buttonholes, thus leaving out creative stitches and embroidery features.

These, in fact, come in very handy for those who want to do more creative projects, who will devote their attention to those models equipped with a large work surface and also able to mount some special transport feet, such as the double-carry foot for heavy fabrics or multi-layered fabrics, the double-rise foot for thick and heavy fabrics, or the free-motion foot for embroidery and embellishments.

Finally, for lovers of patchwork and quilting, there are a number of specially designed electronic models equipped with an endless number of creative stitches and dedicated stitching programs.

If the main doubt is about the choice between a mechanical and an electronic sewing machine, generally the indication is that for basic tailoring work (mending, hemming, etc.) and for sewing light to medium-heavy fabrics a mechanical machine is more than adequate. Otherwise, for heavy fabric sewing, extreme precision work, creative projects, and serial production, an electronic model is necessary.

Having specialized for more than 40 years in the trade and production of spare parts, mechanical parts, accessories and complex solutions for the textile industry, we at Fitex have developed over time a vast knowledge of the most important brands and models in the panorama of professional sewing machines.

As such, we would like to point out a few that have always stood out for their reliability, performance and technological innovation.

Building on more than a century and a half of history in the textile machinery industry, the German company Durkopp Adler continues even today to maintain high quality standards and technological equipment among the most developed on the market. Added to this is the great versatility of the business proposition: the range of products offered can meet any need in the field of industrial sewing, from tailoring and leather goods to automotive and sailmaking.

The product of Japanese engineering, Seiko sewing machines, since the first models produced since the middle of the last century, have always stood out for their extraordinary reliability, quality and technological innovation. Seiko offers a wide range of models suitable for different industrial needs mainly of professional tailors and textile industries.

Juki sewing machines, on the other hand, offer a high degree of sophistication, thanks to its very reliable components, integrated low-power motors, and the aid of Information Technology systems and electronic functions. Juki’s offerings constantly aim to respond to the continuous, demanding and changing demands of the market, producing models that combine reliability, safety, productivity and comfort.

Robust and extremely precise, PFAFF sewing machines ensure flawless seams on any fabric. Built with high-quality materials, they are designed to handle heavy use and last even with continuous industrial production.

The standard-bearer of the Italian textile industry since 1881, Rimoldi sewing machines, a brand reinvigorated and relaunched on international markets by entrepreneur Antonio Pastorello, combine practicality of use, cutting-edge technology and innovative design, managing to combine the tradition of Made in Italy (machines and spare parts strictly made in Italy) with the technological innovation needed to compete globally. In addition, the company devotes extraordinary importance to services to customers, which are met very efficiently by a constantly dedicated staff and a spare parts warehouse consisting of more than 80 thousand items.

A historic brand in the textile industry, Singer sewing machines have accompanied the activity of so many generations of women and men thanks to a proposal of innovative and easy-to-use sewing machines. The company’s philosophy has remained unchanged over time, always offering models with the highest technological equipment available, but never disdaining practicality of use. Singer’s offer is truly enormous, not least because the solidity and quality of the materials used has significantly extended the life cycle of models that are currently out of production but perfectly functional and available on the second-hand market.

Andrea Ferroli
Nadia Leonarduzzi