Hi Alex, love your channel and wit! Yes I totally get it. I live in Montreal and started a professional sewing (last april 2024) to boost my present sewing skills. I have a Bernina at home, and Babylock serger. Of course the school has Jukis and OMGGggggg they are fast AND I was not happy about it because they are Soooo fast and had no control over them...and the Juki serger - the pedals are so sensitive!! I had to start over my piece since i had no knowledge of its speed and it sliced right through it -snifff..but by the time we finished for this summer on June 17, i am in love with the juki. Like you say, now my home machines are so much different. I paid a lot for my home ones and don't have the means to upgrade...but I hear you. We start back class August 27 and this time non stop evening classes till March 2026 (yikes!). Eager to speed sew soon! Take care and continue with your videos. Linda x
Oh wow. There are many tiers of domestic machines lol. I have a Pfaff Performance 5.2 which has a big pedal, is super fast and does auto thread-snip and has a knee lift as well as dual-feed and beautiful button holes. So mileage with home machines varies. Juki makes several home machines with box feed which is the same style feed as their industrial machines... There are great options if you don't have space for an industrial or want a do-everything all-in-one small machine but you'll spend a little.
Great, after listening to you, I want cretons for breakfast, and there's none in the house. Oh, have a Janome 2010, and it gets done what I need it to do. The rest is hand sewn. One day, I might get that White serger up and running, but for now I can pink my edges.
Hahaha. Do they sell cretons outside Québec? I pink my seams too sometimes when I don't feel like setting up my serger (I don't have enough room to leave it set up and threaded in my apartment) and I agree that it works just fine.
@@alexneuf7526 : Actually, there's a French Canadian-themed restaurant relatively near me that has cretons and pretty decent poutine, too! It's not Québec, but it's close enough, and many of the patrons speak français québécois.
The better feeding on industrials is mostly down to them being straight-stitch machines. The feed dogs can be positioned a lot closer to the needle when they don't have to accommodate the zig-zag motion of the needle. Also some Juki domestics have a heel click function on their large-for-domestic pedals that'll do a backstitch and cut. As far as speed goes, modern domestics are generally in the 800-1200spm range for zig-zag machines, and up to 1600spm for straight stitch machines. Industrials can go up to 6000spm depending on the model, the motor/pulley set-up etc, but I think for most operators they'd be running at maybe 2500spm in average use, unless they're dealing with a really small stitch length.
I found this so interesting. Sewing is so personal, and it's interesting how everybody wants something different for their sewing experience. I love my machines to sew slowly so I can get precision in my sewing; it's especially helpful in sewing things like doll clothes and small items. Needless to day, I wouldn't do well in the industrial setting!!! I recently purchased a 1961 Elna Automatic and was dreading the fact that it has a knee lever for control instead of a standard pedal. Oddly enough I love it! I only started sewing on vintage machines after buying a new Pfaff Performance 5.2 seven years ago. I did not enjoy the wide 9mm feed assembly. Now I mainly sew on vintage machines and am having a blast. I am going to assume that industrial machines probably have a 5 or 6 mm feed assembly since they do very specific tasks and most sewing is straight stitch. I could see how one would be fun to use for most sewing, though.
@@alexneuf7526 Not really. I think every brand has had a stellar winner. I absolutely love sewing on my Singer 403. Of all the Singer's it's my favorite. I know most people want a 401 (and I have one) but the 403 is a lot easier changing back and forth from straight stitch to zig zag and the machine will sew through a lot! The 500 and 503 are also really nice machines. I also think the Bernina 830 Record is a winner. People call this machine a workhorse, but it's quiet and gives such a lovely quality stitch and has a free arm. I know a lot of people like the Elna SU's or Supermatiics, but I have a sweet little Elna Automatic that is a joy to sew on, super good stitch quality, the ability to sew really slowly in intricate situations, and a nice quiet hum when sewing. I know there must be tons of great straight stitchers, but I prefer machines during the era when zigzag and multiple stitches were available. It was only a few years ago that I got into vintage machines, more by accident than design, but I love the smaller feed assemblies on the older/vintage machines. I have a really nice Pfaff electronic, but the 9mm feed assembly is awkward to me. My husband retired and took an interest in working on sewing machines, so this has made the addition of vintage sewing machines so much worse. I can buy them for very little, and he has fun bringing them back to life. Of course it's not always fun and games when you can't figure out a problem, but seeing something that looks like it should be taken to the landfill and bringing it back to its former glory is really rewarding.
It took me FOREVER to get used to my domestic machine not having a knee level to lift up the foot like my industrial has. I sometimes still move my knee to try though. And I can’t use my elbow to press the reverse level on my domestic either. My industrial Juki spoiled me 😅
Seconding the knee lever! I'm using very different levels of sewing machine day-to-day. At work, it's a couple of modern industrial steppers without the knee lever - you raise the foot by halfway-hitting your heel. They might have a knee switch for _extra_ high steps, but the ones I'm on most of the time don't have it because of the specifics. The older industrial straight I have at home has the classic knee lever, but is just old enough to not have had the thread cutter installed, only the backstitches at the end are under my heel. (No beginning backstitches either.) The domestic I'm most used to is a regular domestic as in foot pedal, manual foot lift, manual backstiches etc (And I love it for zigzag and buttonhole possibilities.) Oh, and half the time at work I'm on an industrial serger which just blows all other speeds out of the water... except maybe the steppers on their longer stitch lengths (8mm stitches? Yup, that happens...)
I went to a course that had industrial sewing machine. My main issue wasn't with the size of the foot. Or cut tread, but with the space we have to sew between the needle and the machine. And the overclock industrial machine was much better than domestic. I think if one day I buy and industrial sewing machine would be a overlock first.
I hope to buy a Reliable Barracuda in the future. It's semi industrial and designed to sew heavy and thick fabric. In the 80s new machines started to become anemic. I think it is about the motor used. I now have a Singer Heavy Duty with a zillion decorative stitches. It sews like the old machines do. Without thinking I sew over my pins as that was the norm when I started sewing in 1980.
Yes, i've heard that the quality of newer machines is very much inferior to that of pre-80s machines. I'll have to look into a Singer Heavy Duty or a Barracuda when my current machine dies.
@@alexneuf7526 I will be sewing some very thick denim, canvas and wool in the future, hence the need for the Barracuda. I'm getting my health back after being bed ridden for more than two years. My kids said they can afford to pool together money and help me get started in a sewing business as I am starting to walk some for the first time in years. They bought me the Singer Heavy Duty and really nice fabric to sew for myself last winter. I can sit up and sew for three hours now. 😃
I bought two older domestic sewing machines and I have never used one in my 64 years of life. I want to start sewing because I don't know anyone, including my wife, who knows how. I first need to learn how to thread the machine. Do you have any suggestions on where I can learn to just thread the machine? Are there any old manuals I can use? I have an old "Fashion Mate" and an even older "Stich Master" from a second hand store. I would love to hear from you. Thanks so much. Michael
Hi Michael, its wonderful that you’re learning how to sew! Have you tried looking online for manuals of the specific two sewing machines you bought? If you can’t find any manuals for those you may have some luck using google reverse image search to find similar looking machines from other brands. Then read through the manuals of those to help you figure out the threading and other functions of your machine. I wish you the best of luck! - Jennifer
@michaelnelson722 Love that you're learning to sew! Yes, as Jennifer said, you could try googling the make and model of your machine and see if you can find an online version of the manual. That's what I do...I unfortunately misplaced my manual. You could also search the make and model on UA-cam and see if there's anyone who has made a video of themselves threading the machine?
Hi Alex, love your channel and wit! Yes I totally get it. I live in Montreal and started a professional sewing (last april 2024) to boost my present sewing skills. I have a Bernina at home, and Babylock serger. Of course the school has Jukis and OMGGggggg they are fast AND I was not happy about it because they are Soooo fast and had no control over them...and the Juki serger - the pedals are so sensitive!! I had to start over my piece since i had no knowledge of its speed and it sliced right through it -snifff..but by the time we finished for this summer on June 17, i am in love with the juki. Like you say, now my home machines are so much different. I paid a lot for my home ones and don't have the means to upgrade...but I hear you. We start back class August 27 and this time non stop evening classes till March 2026 (yikes!). Eager to speed sew soon! Take care and continue with your videos. Linda x
Oh wow. There are many tiers of domestic machines lol. I have a Pfaff Performance 5.2 which has a big pedal, is super fast and does auto thread-snip and has a knee lift as well as dual-feed and beautiful button holes. So mileage with home machines varies. Juki makes several home machines with box feed which is the same style feed as their industrial machines... There are great options if you don't have space for an industrial or want a do-everything all-in-one small machine but you'll spend a little.
Great, after listening to you, I want cretons for breakfast, and there's none in the house. Oh, have a Janome 2010, and it gets done what I need it to do. The rest is hand sewn. One day, I might get that White serger up and running, but for now I can pink my edges.
Hahaha. Do they sell cretons outside Québec? I pink my seams too sometimes when I don't feel like setting up my serger (I don't have enough room to leave it set up and threaded in my apartment) and I agree that it works just fine.
@@alexneuf7526 : Actually, there's a French Canadian-themed restaurant relatively near me that has cretons and pretty decent poutine, too! It's not Québec, but it's close enough, and many of the patrons speak français québécois.
The better feeding on industrials is mostly down to them being straight-stitch machines. The feed dogs can be positioned a lot closer to the needle when they don't have to accommodate the zig-zag motion of the needle. Also some Juki domestics have a heel click function on their large-for-domestic pedals that'll do a backstitch and cut.
As far as speed goes, modern domestics are generally in the 800-1200spm range for zig-zag machines, and up to 1600spm for straight stitch machines. Industrials can go up to 6000spm depending on the model, the motor/pulley set-up etc, but I think for most operators they'd be running at maybe 2500spm in average use, unless they're dealing with a really small stitch length.
Thanks for the intel! Didn't know that about the feed dogs being able to be closer to the needle when they're just straight stitch.
Domestics are versatile and are easier to store and so are good for home use . Like comparing a Moped to Motorbike
When you use a motorbike everyday and then suddenly you have to get around on a moped...you're gonna notice a big difference!
I found this so interesting. Sewing is so personal, and it's interesting how everybody wants something different for their sewing experience. I love my machines to sew slowly so I can get precision in my sewing; it's especially helpful in sewing things like doll clothes and small items. Needless to day, I wouldn't do well in the industrial setting!!!
I recently purchased a 1961 Elna Automatic and was dreading the fact that it has a knee lever for control instead of a standard pedal. Oddly enough I love it! I only started sewing on vintage machines after buying a new Pfaff Performance 5.2 seven years ago. I did not enjoy the wide 9mm feed assembly. Now I mainly sew on vintage machines and am having a blast. I am going to assume that industrial machines probably have a 5 or 6 mm feed assembly since they do very specific tasks and most sewing is straight stitch. I could see how one would be fun to use for most sewing, though.
It totally is personal, you're so right! I guess it's a matter of what we get used to as well. Do you have a favorite brand of vintage machine?
@@alexneuf7526 Not really. I think every brand has had a stellar winner. I absolutely love sewing on my Singer 403. Of all the Singer's it's my favorite. I know most people want a 401 (and I have one) but the 403 is a lot easier changing back and forth from straight stitch to zig zag and the machine will sew through a lot! The 500 and 503 are also really nice machines. I also think the Bernina 830 Record is a winner. People call this machine a workhorse, but it's quiet and gives such a lovely quality stitch and has a free arm. I know a lot of people like the Elna SU's or Supermatiics, but I have a sweet little Elna Automatic that is a joy to sew on, super good stitch quality, the ability to sew really slowly in intricate situations, and a nice quiet hum when sewing. I know there must be tons of great straight stitchers, but I prefer machines during the era when zigzag and multiple stitches were available.
It was only a few years ago that I got into vintage machines, more by accident than design, but I love the smaller feed assemblies on the older/vintage machines. I have a really nice Pfaff electronic, but the 9mm feed assembly is awkward to me. My husband retired and took an interest in working on sewing machines, so this has made the addition of vintage sewing machines so much worse. I can buy them for very little, and he has fun bringing them back to life. Of course it's not always fun and games when you can't figure out a problem, but seeing something that looks like it should be taken to the landfill and bringing it back to its former glory is really rewarding.
It took me FOREVER to get used to my domestic machine not having a knee level to lift up the foot like my industrial has. I sometimes still move my knee to try though. And I can’t use my elbow to press the reverse level on my domestic either. My industrial Juki spoiled me 😅
Seconding the knee lever!
I'm using very different levels of sewing machine day-to-day. At work, it's a couple of modern industrial steppers without the knee lever - you raise the foot by halfway-hitting your heel. They might have a knee switch for _extra_ high steps, but the ones I'm on most of the time don't have it because of the specifics. The older industrial straight I have at home has the classic knee lever, but is just old enough to not have had the thread cutter installed, only the backstitches at the end are under my heel. (No beginning backstitches either.) The domestic I'm most used to is a regular domestic as in foot pedal, manual foot lift, manual backstiches etc (And I love it for zigzag and buttonhole possibilities.) Oh, and half the time at work I'm on an industrial serger which just blows all other speeds out of the water... except maybe the steppers on their longer stitch lengths (8mm stitches? Yup, that happens...)
My industrial Juki at work spoiled me too, hahaha
I went to a course that had industrial sewing machine. My main issue wasn't with the size of the foot. Or cut tread, but with the space we have to sew between the needle and the machine. And the overclock industrial machine was much better than domestic. I think if one day I buy and industrial sewing machine would be a overlock first.
That's really interesting and a good point about the overlock
You’d probably like the Juki TL models as they are semi-industrial.
I'll have to look into it, thanks for the tip!
I hope to buy a Reliable Barracuda in the future. It's semi industrial and designed to sew heavy and thick fabric.
In the 80s new machines started to become anemic. I think it is about the motor used. I now have a Singer Heavy Duty with a zillion decorative stitches. It sews like the old machines do. Without thinking I sew over my pins as that was the norm when I started sewing in 1980.
Yes, i've heard that the quality of newer machines is very much inferior to that of pre-80s machines. I'll have to look into a Singer Heavy Duty or a Barracuda when my current machine dies.
@@alexneuf7526 I will be sewing some very thick denim, canvas and wool in the future, hence the need for the Barracuda. I'm getting my health back after being bed ridden for more than two years. My kids said they can afford to pool together money and help me get started in a sewing business as I am starting to walk some for the first time in years. They bought me the Singer Heavy Duty and really nice fabric to sew for myself last winter. I can sit up and sew for three hours now. 😃
I bought two older domestic sewing machines and I have never used one in my 64 years of life. I want to start sewing because I don't know anyone, including my wife, who knows how. I first need to learn how to thread the machine. Do you have any suggestions on where I can learn to just thread the machine? Are there any old manuals I can use? I have an old "Fashion Mate" and an even older "Stich Master" from a second hand store. I would love to hear from you. Thanks so much. Michael
Hi Michael, its wonderful that you’re learning how to sew! Have you tried looking online for manuals of the specific two sewing machines you bought?
If you can’t find any manuals for those you may have some luck using google reverse image search to find similar looking machines from other brands. Then read through the manuals of those to help you figure out the threading and other functions of your machine. I wish you the best of luck! - Jennifer
@@UA-camPremium-nc9wh Thank you
@michaelnelson722 Love that you're learning to sew! Yes, as Jennifer said, you could try googling the make and model of your machine and see if you can find an online version of the manual. That's what I do...I unfortunately misplaced my manual. You could also search the make and model on UA-cam and see if there's anyone who has made a video of themselves threading the machine?