Author Topic: Industrial sewing machine  (Read 3705 times)

greaper007

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1117
Industrial sewing machine
« on: January 07, 2015, 03:08:12 PM »
Hey, I have a singer 201 from the early 50s that still runs like a champ.    I have the urge to start making selvedge jeans though.    I haven't tried any of the fabric out on my machine yet, it's just an urge.    I was wondering if anyone uses one of these workhorses for heavy, stiff fabric?     Or do I have to upgrade to a straight stitch industrial machine?

deborah

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 15967
  • Age: 14
  • Location: Australia or another awesome area
Re: Industrial sewing machine
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2015, 04:04:05 PM »
Your singer 201 is probably better than an industrial sewing machine unless it is a heavy duty one.

greaper007

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1117
Re: Industrial sewing machine
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2015, 04:19:02 PM »
Your singer 201 is probably better than an industrial sewing machine unless it is a heavy duty one.

Hmm, why do you say that?    The singer is fantastic, no doubt about it.    However, I wonder if I would be potentially burning out the motor sewing such heavy fabric?   

deborah

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 15967
  • Age: 14
  • Location: Australia or another awesome area
Re: Industrial sewing machine
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2015, 04:44:38 PM »
Older sewing machines like that were designed to cope with heavier fabrics than are normal today. People often needed to repair overalls and other heavy work clothes. They also made curtains and other heavy sewing. People don't do that these days, and the newer sewing machines reflect that difference.

greaper007

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1117
Re: Industrial sewing machine
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2015, 09:17:22 PM »
True, the great thing about mid century stuff is that it was really overbuilt.   It's a moot point right now because the timing is off and I haven't been able to drop it by a shop.   I need to find a sample of fabric to see how it does. 

Thanks for the reply.

homehandymum

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 548
  • Location: New Zealand
Re: Industrial sewing machine
« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2015, 01:26:42 AM »
I'd just use the singer, but get denim/canvas weight needles for it.

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States
Re: Industrial sewing machine
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2015, 07:40:20 AM »
I'd definitely suggest denim needles.

I'd also recommend finding a jeans foot if there is such a thing for your machine.  I feel like it makes a great difference in my machine.  A straight stitch plate might help too, but isn't necessary.

You'll also want some sort of level compensator. (But you can make shift that.)


I'd give it a try before buying anything new.  Are you wanting to make these for production to sell, or just for yourself?  Almost any machine is going to be able to handle denim, though you'll possibly have to hand turn the wheel over the absolute thickest bumps (the hem of the edge, where you get 8-12 layers).  If your machine can't do it, then look into something new. I did jeans on my Walmart Brother, and the experience wasn't nearly as nice as on my Bernina, but they did get done.

deborah

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 15967
  • Age: 14
  • Location: Australia or another awesome area
Re: Industrial sewing machine
« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2015, 12:21:21 PM »
I have found that my older sewing machine does fine without a level compensator, although my newer machine has loads of problems. Jeans feet have been around for a long time. I am not sure that straight stitch plates were around when that Singer was created. And a Jeans/Denim needle is a really good idea.

greaper007

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1117
Re: Industrial sewing machine
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2015, 01:21:30 PM »
Thanks for the replies, I'm going to tread cautiously.

hyla

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 177
Re: Industrial sewing machine
« Reply #9 on: January 15, 2015, 11:43:04 PM »
You should be fine.  I've sewn leather and marine vinyl with my sturdy home machine and it does fine.  I wouldn't attempt it on one of those cheap new singers, but if you have a sturdy 50s one it should work.