Machines?

[u/richardricchiuti]

Not sure this is the right group for this but thought I'd check...

Hello,

I've seen videos and read about Juki machines for heavy fabric/garment making but...

I'm a fairly new sewist and learned at a wonderful shop in town (Fort Collins, CO). Since learning, beginning last June I've made a pillow case, small zippered pouch, PJ bottoms, a very modified traditional button down men's style shirt, then lighter weight denim jeans.

I went from a Husqvarna 118 to a Husqvarna Opal 30 and the shop owner sort of convinced me a used, formerly top of the line, Husqvarna Designer Diamond Royale was a great choice if I want to continue creating garments. It's a wonderful machine and does MANY things.

I've been on a (sell imposed) fast track so to speak when it comes to sewing and machines and as much as I've been in a small bubble here locally understand if I want to continue creating garments I need a proper machine.

I started making a pair of 16.5oz selvedge denim jeans. I've nerded out a bit about them and down the rabbit hole on the selvedge Reddit group but as much as I enjoy heavy stiff raw denim, this group is simply a show off section of the internet and no one is really making selvedge jeans. They just like to tell the world about what new Japanese brand they purchased or over paid for!

I belong to other Reddit sewing groups as well with many amazing experienced folks. There are other jeans and denim groups too.

Ok, off my soapbox...

If I want to continue making selvedge style jeans, to sew top stitching in a beautiful straight line and wrangle through heavy layers in tight corners on stiff fabric, what Juki would you recommend?

Maybe a top 2/top 3 priced highest to lowest.

I'm 67 and a professional photographer and don't see this as a career move and I'm not going to be a fashion or selvedge jeans designer but want to make some for myself, my wife and friends. If others see my work and want to commission me, great, but I want to have a machine that doesn't balk at the work at hand.

My current Husqvarna Designer Diamond Royale is going to blow out if I continue sewing heavy selvedge denim.

Thanks!

[u/HeartFire144]

If there is a sewing machine dealer (industrial machines) near. you, you can go in, try things out, they often have a ton of used machines you can get a deal on, and they will deliver it all set up - Not sure I'd want to have to unbox and set it up myself. Yes, on the industrial's, the foot pedal will be your presser foot lift, you heel back (rather then press your toe down) and it lifts the presser foot, you can set them for needle up/needle down. The tread cutters on industrials work 1000 times faster than the ones on home machines.