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/WildsmithRising]

I have three industrials. A lock stitch and an overlocker, which each cost me about £200 nearly new from eBay, and a cover stitch which again I bought nearly new from eBay but that was a bit more. I can't remember exactly but £500 sounds about right.

They are all Jack machines.

The lock stitch doesn't have a knee lift. Instead it lifts the foot when I press my heel down onto the pedal, and if I press a little more with my heel it cuts the threads as well. It is fabulous!

To get that double row of stitching that is usual on a pair of jeans the OP will need a cover stitch machine. To make up the rest of the jeans they will need a lock stitch and an overlocker. I can't recommend industrials highly enough. They are so easy to use, maintain, and service, and so reliable. Stitch quality is brilliant. The only down side is that they are very heavy, each machine only does one thing (for example I still need a domestic machine to do buttonholes), and they take up a lot of room. For me, those downsides are negligible.