How to Use an Industrial Sewing Machine

An industrial sewing machine is generally used in the large-scale manufacture of clothing, though some private consumers prefer to use them at home to do a faster, more professional sewing job. Their motor power and stitching speed are many times greater than what is usually found in household sewing machines.

Things You'll Need

• Thread
• Fabric

Instructions

Learn Your Way Around an Industrial Sewing Machine

1. Understand why someone would use an industrial sewing machine instead of a regular household sewing machine. Other than the greatly increased speed and power of an industrial machine, they are also more accurate and consistent than household machines. Because they are made with precision parts, industrial sewing machines maintain a professional, perfectly even stitching motion every time.

2. Know the distinctive parts of an industrial sewing machine. There are two: the casing of the sewing machine itself and its powerful motor, which is separate from the machine casing. In standard household sewing machines, a much less powerful motor is built right into the body of the machine.

3. Read the owner's manual thoroughly and carefully. If you acquired your industrial sewing machine secondhand and don't have an owner's manual, contact the manufacturer to request a replacement. Do not attempt to operate an industrial sewing machine without first familiarizing yourself with its parts and operation.

4. Load your spool of thread as you would with a standard household machine, unless the industrial machine you're using has a different spooling mechanism. If so, and you aren't sure how to load it, consult your owner's manual. Never use guesswork when dealing with an industrial sewing machine. They are very powerful.

5. Feed your fabric into the machine and start sewing. Operation of an industrial sewing machine is fairly similar to the operation of a household sewing machine, except that its parts are generally more complex and its speed is greatly increased.

6. Seek professional instruction if you are at all daunted. Classes offering instruction in the use of industrial sewing machines are generally available through community colleges and other specialized educational institutions.

Tips & Warnings

• Take extra caution to keep your fingers absolutely clear of the needle mechanism on an industrial sewing machine. Industrial sewing machines operate as much as 10 times faster than household machines, making personal injury as much as 10 times more likely unless great care is exercised.