Sewing machines have been around for a long time. In fact, they’ve been around as long as humans have sewing. And while sewing machines have come a long way in just the past few decades, they’re still not quite where they need to be.
Things are still primitive compared to how they could be. Even with all these improvements, there are some machines that can only be used by professionals and are simply out of reach for DIYers. If you own an auto upholsterer like us, you know how important it is to have the very best stitching equipment available.
That’s why we spent countless hours researching and testing the top 6 auto upholstery sewing machines available today. We found that our favorite ones all had at least one thing in common: They were extremely efficient, easy to use, and produced high-quality results every time.
7 of the Best Sewing Machine for Auto Upholstery In 2023
The most common use of a sewing machine today is to make clothes. But this article isn’t about just making clothes – it’s about choosing the very best sewing machine for auto upholstery in 2022.
1. Singer 4411 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
Using its free arm ability, you can easily work on your sleeves, cuffs, collars, pants, and other difficult-to-reach parts of your project.
Equipped with 11 built-in stitches, including 6 basic stitches, 4 decorative stitches, and 1 built-in buttonhole, the Singer 4411 is the ideal machine for your crafts, home decor, fashion sewing, upholstery, etc. The machine is constructed with a heavy-duty metal frame which provides stitch stability and ensures skip-free sewing. Its strong motor provides efficiency while at the sewing speed of 1,100 stitches per minute, you can quickly finish your project in no time.
The Singer 4411 is designed with an adjustable presser foot control which allows you to work efficiently on lightweight and heavyweight fabrics, all you have to do is to adjust the presser foot pressure and you will be able to work conveniently on your bulky fabric. The needle position can also be adjusted for easy pivoting. By adjusting the machine needle to one of the available three positions, you can quickly work on zippers or a decorative touch with topstitching and cording.
Using its free arm ability, you can easily work on your sleeves, cuffs, collars, pants, and other difficult-to-reach parts of your project. The machine also has a drop feed capability which is perfect for attaching buttons, darning socks and pants, and creative free-motion sewing.
Highlighted Features:
- The machine is built to last
- Speed control dial
- Extended table for large projects
- 4 presser feet included for enhanced capability
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
- Easy-to-load top drop-in bobbin system with clear cover
2. Janome HD1000 Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine
Its drop feed system is also available for darning, stippling, attaching buttons, and free-motion sewing.
Constructed with a heavy-duty aluminum body, the Janome HD1000 boast sturdy construction and is designed with easy-to-use features to ensure you have an outstanding and delightful sewing experience. Equipped with 14 built-in stitches, and a 4-step buttonhole, you can easily work on various projects and a wide range of fabrics.
It comes with an automatic needle threader that threads your machine perfectly without causing eye strain or frustration. You can easily work on your pants, collars, sleeves, cuffs, and other cylindrical projects with the Janome HD1000 thanks to its free arm ability. Its drop feed system is also available for darning, stippling, attaching buttons, and free-motion sewing.
The Janome HD1000 also comes with other sewing accessories such as additional needles, bobbins, two screwdrivers, felt, a seam ripper, zipper foot, hemmer foot, buttonhole foot, hem guide, and a softcover.
Highlighted Features:
- 1 4-step buttonhole
- Front-loading vertical oscillating hook bobbin
- Snap-on presser feet
- 5mm max stitch width
3. Singer Heavy Duty 4452 Sewing Machine
Sewing accessories like needles, bobbins, auxiliary spool pins, and spool pin felt can be found in the accessory tray that comes with the machine.
Like the Singer 4411, Singer 4452 is also a heavy-duty machine, the machine is constructed with a stainless steel bedplate that provides smooth and stable fabric flow and a heavy-duty interior frame that ensures skip-free sewing. The Singer 4452 can easily work on heavy fabric thanks to its powerful motor that is 60% stronger than that of a regular sewing machine.
The sewing machine is equipped with 32 built-in stitches which include 6 basic, 18 decoratives, 7 stretch stitches, and one full automatic 1-step buttonhole which can be used for a variety of projects. With a maximum sewing speed of 1,100 stitches per minute, you can easily finish up your projects in no time and attain an outstanding sewing result.
Its automatic threading system threads the machine effortlessly by pushing the thread from the spool through the needle’s eye without causing eye fatigue or frustration. Sewing accessories like needles, bobbins, auxiliary spool pins, and spool pin felt can be found in the accessory tray that comes with the machine.
Highlighted Features:
- High-speed sewing machine
- 7 presser feet included for enhanced capability
- Automatic 1-step buttonhole
- Drop feed expands capabilities
- Easy-to-load top drop-in bobbin system with clear cover
4. Brother ST371HD Sewing Machine
With all stitches designed being visibly printed on the machine, all you have to do is to turn the dial to select a stitch.
A perfectly designed heavy-duty sewing machine that provides flexibility and durability, the Brother ST371HD comes with 37 unique built-in stitches and an auto-size buttonhole for your everyday sewing. The machine works perfectly on all materials either thick fabrics or lightweight and elegant silk.
The sewing machine has an automatic needle threader that threads the machine in no time by pushing the thread from the spool through the needle’s eye without causing eye fatigue or frustration. Brother ST371HD comes with a versatile free arm that allows you to work on your everyday sewing projects like sleeves, cuffs, collars, and other cylindrical projects.
There is a drop feed system for your free-motion sewing, and with a sewing speed of 800 stitches per minute, you can quickly and efficiently finish up your sewing project. The machine also comes with a stitch selection dial which can be easily used to choose your preferred stitch. With all stitches designed being visibly printed on the machine, all you have to do is to turn the dial to select a stitch.
Highlighted Features:
- Strong and tough sewing
- Jam resistant drop-in top bobbin
- Metal needle plate
- Automatic bobbin winding system
- 6 presser feet included for enhanced capability
- Comes with a 25 years limited warranty
5. Brother PQ1500SL Sewing and Quilting Machine
The machine thread tension can be adjusted to complement your fabric and suit your preference using the thread tension adjustment dial.
The high-speed Brother PQ1500SL is designed for professionals, with a maximum sewing speed of 1,500 stitches per minute, wrapping up your project has never been easier. The machine features an automatic needle threader that threads the machine perfectly by pushing the thread from the spool through the needle’s eye without causing eye strain or fatigue.
You can easily sew a different variety of fabric thicknesses with the Brother PQ1500SL pin feed system which provides precise fabric feeding. Using the machine knee lifter, you can control the presser foot pressure with your knee which leaves both hands free for other operations. There is also a detachable 11 x 21.5 wide extended table which provides the needed space for your large projects and can be easily removed when not needed.
The machine thread tension can be adjusted to complement your fabric and suit your preference using the thread tension adjustment dial. There is also a two-needle position for easy pivoting. Sewing accessories such as fabric separators, 5 bobbins, needles, cleaning brush lining plate screws, and 2 screwdrivers come with the machine.
Highlighted Features:
- 7 presser feet included for enhanced capability
- Automatic thread cutter
- Color-coded thread pressure and feed dog position
- Exclusive pin feed system
- Comes with a 25 years limited warranty
6. Singer 4432 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
The machine can easily sew in reverse and reinforce your stitches by pushing the built-in reverse lever.
Constructed with a heavy-duty metal frame that holds all the sewing machine parts in a perfect alignment to produce skip-free sewing and durability. The machine is equipped with 110 stitch applications to cover a variety of your projects. With a maximum sewing speed of 1,100 stitches per minute and a powerful motor that is 60% more powerful than regular machines, you can finish up your project in no time and attain a perfect sewing result.
Its automatic needle threading system threads the machine perfectly by pushing the thread from the spool cap through the needle’s eye without causing frustration or eye strain. You can easily select your preferred stitch using the stitch selection dial and with the adjustable presser foot pressure control, you can work on both lightweight and heavyweight fabrics easily.
The machine can easily sew in reverse and reinforce your stitches by pushing the built-in reverse lever. There is also an automatic speed control to adjust the machine speed to your preference. Ans the needle position can be changed for easy pivoting when inserting zippers, coding, and topstitching.
Highlighted Features:
- 4 presser feet included for enhanced capability
- Automatic 1-step buttonhole
- Drop feed expands capabilities
- Easy-to-load top drop-in bobbin
- Adjustable stitch length
- Comes with 25 years limited warranty
7. Singer 4423 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
The automatic needle threader ensures the machine gets threaded perfectly by pushing the thread from the spool through the needle’s eye without causing frustration and eye fatigue.
Apart from being manufactured by the same company, the Singer 4423 and Singer 4432 have lots of similarities. The machine is equipped with 23 built-in stitches which include basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches. This heavy-duty sewing machine is ideal for your various projects such as upholstery, home decor, fashion, quilts, crafts, and others.
Like the Singer 4432, it has a maximum sewing speed of 1,100 stitches per minute, and a powerful motor 60% stronger than a regular machine, you will finish up your project in no time with outstanding results and great piercing power for your thick fabrics. The automatic needle threader ensures the machine gets threaded perfectly by pushing the thread from the spool through the needle’s eye without causing frustration and eye fatigue.
The machine has a high level of durability and can withstand constant use and heavy fabrics thanks to its heavy-duty metal frame construction. Its presser foot comes with an extra high ability to provide enough space for your thick fabrics below the presser foot to allow the machine to work on them perfectly.
There are a couple of sewing accessories that come with the machine, they include extra needles, bobbins, seam ripper, lint brush, screwdrivers, auxiliary spool pin, spool pin felt, a soft-sided dust cover, and a quilting guide.
Highlighted Features:
- 4 presser foot included for enhanced capability
- Quick and easy threading
- Automatic 1-step buttonhole
- Easy-to-load top drop-in bobbin with clear cover
- Heavy-duty metal frame
- Comes with a 25 years limited warranty
Conclusion
Sewing leather and other thick fabric can be a long and difficult ride on your regular sewing machine, well that is not what they are built to do and that is why designed upholstery sewing machines are on the market.
By following this article, you will realize that upholstery sewing machines are mostly heavy-duty machines constructed with heavy-duty metal frames and a powerful motor for durability, high piercing power, and skip-free sewing.
Check out our handpicked 7 best sewing machines, go through the reviews and pick the best upholstery machine for your next project.