Can You Sew Upholstery With A Regular Sewing Machine?

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Upholstery projects can seem daunting for sewists who are used to working with lighter fabrics like cottons and silks. The thick, heavy-duty fabrics used for upholstery like leather, vinyl, denim, and canvas require special equipment and techniques. So a common question is – can you use a regular sewing machine for upholstery?

The short answer is yes, you can sew upholstery with a regular sewing machine, but there are some important considerations. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about using a regular sewing machine for upholstery, including:

  • The differences between regular and upholstery sewing machines
  • Tips for preparing your regular sewing machine for upholstery
  • Recommended needles, threads, feet, and settings
  • The pros and cons of using a regular machine
  • Examples of projects suitable for a regular machine
  • How to choose the best machine if you’ll be doing a lot of upholstery

The Difference Between Regular and Upholstery Sewing Machines

Regular sewing machines are designed for lightweight fabrics. They have lower power motors and are made for intermittent home use.

Upholstery sewing machines have more heavy-duty components including:

  • A more powerful motor to handle thick fabrics
  • All-metal inner parts like the hook and bobbin case
  • A stronger needle that won’t break or bend
  • Adjustable foot pressure for sewing multiple layers

Many industrial upholstery machines also have a walking foot that feeds the fabric evenly. This prevents slipping, shifting, or puckering on heavy materials.

While a regular machine works fine for some projects, the heavy-duty construction allows an upholstery machine to sew continuously through tough fabrics without overheating or breaking.

How to Prepare Your Regular Sewing Machine for Upholstery

You can adapt most standard home sewing machines to handle at least some upholstery tasks. Here are some tips:

  • Use the correct needle size – Choose a sharp needle in a large size like 100/16 or 110/18. This creates a bigger hole for heavy threads.
  • Wind the bobbin lightly – Upholstery thread is thicker, so don’t fill the bobbin or it can jam. Leave 1/4″ empty space.
  • Set a longer stitch length – Try a 3.5-4mm length. This allows the thicker thread to slide through the layers more easily.
  • Loosen the bobbin case tension – Test on scraps and adjust so the top and bobbin threads interlock in the middle of the layers.
  • Use an even-feed or walking foot – This accessory prevents shifting and slipping on mulitple fabric layers.
  • Increase the presser foot pressure if possible – More pressure ensures the foot stays flat on uneven surfaces for uniform feeding.
  • Go slowly – Let the machine work at its own pace without pushing. Slow and steady gives the best results.

Recommended Supplies for Sewing Upholstery with a Regular Machine

Having the proper needles, threads, feet, and settings helps your regular machine handle upholstery as smoothly as possible.

Needles: Upholstery needles in sizes 100/16 or 110/18

Threads:

  • Upholstery thread or extra-strength polyester in the top and bobbin
  • Topstitching thread for visible seams and topstitching

Feet:

  • General purpose foot
  • Even-feed or walking foot
  • Zipper foot
  • Non-stick foot for vinyl and leather

Settings:

  • Longer stitch length (3.5-4mm)
  • Loosened bobbin tension
  • Slow to medium speed
  • Increased pressure (if possible)

The Pros and Cons of Sewing Upholstery with a Regular Machine

Pros:

  • No special equipment needed
  • Most regular machines can handle light to medium-weight fabrics
  • Good for small projects and simple repairs/alterations
  • Lets you get into upholstery affordably

Cons:

  • Not suitable for heavy projects or long seams
  • Possible needle breakage or damage to machine with very thick fabrics
  • Stitching may be uneven or puckered on heavy fabrics
  • Limited to flat sewing instead of construction on a frame

While a standard machine works for many smaller upholstery tasks, a heavy duty or industrial machine is required for more advanced projects with thick leathers and vinyls.

Examples of Upholstery Projects for a Regular Sewing Machine

Here are some beginner-friendly projects that can be sewn with most regular home machines:

  • Throw pillows in medium-weight upholstery fabrics
  • Simple cushions with zipper or envelope closures
  • Curtains and drapes using cotton duck, linen, or lighter canvas
  • Slipcovers for dining chairs made from canvas, twill, or drapery-weight fabrics
  • Home decor accents like poufs, pillow shams, or small ottomans
  • Repairing vinyl or leather on purses, luggage, and accessories
  • Alterations like shortening curtains or adding cording to cushions

A standard machine can handle most projects that only require 1-3 layers of medium-weight fabric and don’t need a lot of reinforcement.

For large projects with thick vinyl and leather that require detailed construction, heavy framing, and layers of heavy batting, an industrial upholstery machine is recommended.

How to Choose an Upholstery Sewing Machine

If you’ll be doing upholstery regularly, investing in an upholstery machine can save time, frustration, and wear on your regular machine. Here’s what to look for:

Powerful Motor

  • Look for a motor with higher amps (at least 1 full amp)
  • Should be all metal gears and parts
  • Allows sewing at faster speeds needed for production

All Metal Components

  • Metal internal parts like hook, shafts, and gears
  • Withstands constant friction and heat of heavy projects

Adjustable Presser Foot

  • Ability to increase pressure as needed
  • Ensures foot stays flat when sewing over thick seams

Variable Stitch Length

  • For setting a longer stitch from 3-5mm
  • Lets thread securely interlock with fewer sewing stops

Reverse Stitch

  • Essential for reinforcing seams and ends
  • Prevents unraveling when stitching stops

Built-In Needle Threader

  • Saves frustration and eye strain
  • Helpful since heavy needles can be difficult to thread

Walking Foot

  • Feeds fabric evenly, preventing slipping, stretching, and puckering
  • Ideal for sewing multiple layers of fabric and heavy materials

Large Work Area

  • Allows plenty of room for bulky projects
  • 10-12″ is suitable for most furniture upholstery work

Ideally, opt for an industrial upholstery machine, but there are also heavy-duty home machines that have these features and can work well. Top brands for upholstery include Juki, Sailrite, Consew, Singer, and Brother.

Final Tips for Sewing Upholstery

  • Always do test samples on scraps of the same fabric and lining to adjust tension, stitch length, needle size, and pressure before starting your project.
  • Use interfacing on the back of lightweight upholstery fabrics like velvets to provide more body and stability.
  • Trim seam allowances down to 1/4″ or less to reduce bulk, then finish edges with an overcast stitch or binding.
  • When sewing multiple layers, use spray adhesive to tack them together temporarily and prevent shifting while sewing.
  • Leather and vinyl can stick to the bottom of your presser foot. Attach a Teflon foot or place painter’s tape on the bottom of your regular foot for smoother gliding.
  • Take your time and don’t pull or stretch the heavy fabric while sewing. Let it feed at its own pace for best results.

Conclusion

While a heavy-duty upholstery machine is best for advanced projects, most regular sewing machines can handle beginning to intermediate upholstery work when set up properly. Use the right needle, thread, foot, and settings for the fabric weight. Stay within the limits of your machine’s abilities and work slowly. With care and practice, you can expand your sewing skills into upholstery work using a standard home sewing machine.

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