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5 Best Sewing Machines For Canvas – Expert opinion (2024 update)
Sewing machines designed for heavier fabrics differ in numerous ways from standard household sewing machines. For instance, you shouldn’t anticipate a canvas sewing machine to be portable. Here are some tips to consider for your checklist when purchasing a canvas sewing machine.
- Canvas sewing machines need to be sturdy. Sturdy machines have better longevity.
- Make sure that it is a heavy-weight machine. Lighter machines are not suitable for sewing heavy fabrics like canvas or denim.
- Look for machines that have zigzag stitches. Zigzag stitches are ideal for sewing canvas.
- Look more at brands that specialize in industrial or heavy-duty machines.
- If you won’t be sewing canvas on the long term, try to look for machines that can work for both domestic and occasional heavy sewing purposes.
- Always check reviews.
With that taken care of, let’s skip to the good part.
Our Top Picks For The Best Sewing Machines For Canvas
Best Overall: Singer 9960 (jump to review)
Best under Budget: Singer 4423 (jump to review)
Best for Beginners: Juki HZL-F600 (jump to review)
Best for Experts: Janome Memory Craft 9850 (jump to review)
Best for Industrial Use: Consew 206RB-5 (jump to review)
Detailed Reviews Of The Best Sewing Machines For Canvas
Best Overall: Singer 9960
Versatility, premium features, and precision define the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960. The sewing machine scores full marks in terms of 600 built-in stitches, which comprise stretch, decorative, and quilting options to pamper your inner sewer. Then, the device comes ahead with a needle threader and automatic thread cutter to save you time. You will even come across a speed control slider designed for both professionals and beginners. The machine also startles you with 13 fully automatic buttonholes and a wide array of presser feet to boost the value so you can sew diverse projects.
- Various stitching options
- Intuitive, easy-to-read LCD screen
- Allows 850 stitches per minute with a robust motor
- You get an additional table and wide presser feet.
- Heavy structure.
- Limited throat space for massive quilting projects.
Best under Budget: Singer 4423
The Singer 4423 Heavy-Duty, hailed as the best value for money, caters to a diverse range of projects with its 23 built-in stitches. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned sewers, its automatic needle threader minimizes eye strain, while the high-speed capability of 1,100 stitches-per-minute ensures swift completion of tasks. The heavy-duty metal frame adds durability, allowing it to effortlessly handle thick fabrics. With a comprehensive set of accessories, this workhorse is a reliable companion for various sewing ventures.
- Blazing fast
- Compared to other Singer sewing machines, the top-load bobbin is easier to use
- Amazing sewing power for both thin and thick fabrics
- Sensitive foot pedal for beginners
- Needle threader only works when the needle is perfectly up
Best for Beginners: Juki HZL-F600
The Juki HZL-F600 takes the lead in the sewing and quilting machine industry. The tool has the potential to impress you with its professional performance and user-friendly features. Why should you invest in this machine? The reason is that it comes ahead with a sturdy motor designed to sew thick materials such as denim and several quilting layers, which other machines fail to do. Furthermore, you can unleash your creative side by making the most out of 255 stitch patterns and 16 buttonholes completely automatic. And do not forget the bonus part: it offers a large working space, bright LED lighting for you to navigate the instructions, and a box feed system to guarantee precision and ease so you can continue with your complicated sewing projects.
- You can sew home decoration items, dresses, and quilts.
- A large LCD screen to simplify your sewing tasks, even if you are a beginner.
- The machine is heavy as it is exactly 21.8 lbs.
- It is expensive.
- The manual is a bit challenging to understand.
Best for Experts: Janome Memory Craft 9850
Are you searching for a compact-size embroidery machine? Then, with Janome Horizon Memory Craft 850, your hunt just ended. The machine can impress you with its versatility and abundance of great features. It consists of sewing and embroidery modes, allowing you to easily switch between the skills. Moreover, the machine provides you with up to 200x 280mm hoop capabilities to ensure precision, especially during embroidery, and the latest needle threading system lets you do some vibrant stitching.
- A wide array of more than 200 built-in stitches
- 175 embroidery designs
- Sturdy frame to manage hard fabrics
- Editing capabilities
- Prompt touchscreen for easier navigation
- Expensive, especially for beginners
- Slow speed of embroidery
Best for Industrial Use: Consew 206RB-5
Renowned as the industry's go-to choice, the Consew 206RB-5 is an expertly constructed industrial sewing machine. With an extra-long 10 mm stitch length and a 14 mm high foot lift, it effortlessly conquers materials ranging from leather to canvas. Its walking foot compound feed ensures precision in intricate tasks, aligning feet to avoid interference. Ideal for automotive, upholstery, marine, and canvas work, it excels in diverse applications. This machine comes complete with a table and servo motor, presenting a seamless start to your sewing journey. Boasting a sleek white design, it seamlessly blends functionality with aesthetic appeal.
- Easy to set up for manual operation
- High-quality industrial sewing machine
- Includes essential components like LED sewing light
- Does not have any advanced features
Summary: The Best Sewing Machines for Canvas
The tougher and thicker materials, like canvas, would be difficult for the needle to pierce effectively without the fast speed. We favor super-high-speed sewing machines when it comes to canvas.
Best Overall: Singer 9960 (jump to review)
Best under Budget: Singer 4423 (jump to review)
Best for Beginners: Juki HZL-F600 (jump to review)
Best for Experts: Janome Memory Craft 9850 (jump to review)
Best for Industrial Use: Consew 206RB-5 (jump to review)
To keep up with such a fast pace, the machine must also be very durable. You can tell if a machine will last a long time by how solid it is.
Buying Guide – Sewing Machines for Canvas
What is Canvas?
Canvas is a densely woven fabric, which makes it much heavier than any regular fabric. It wouldn’t be a great idea to sew canvas using a regular sewing machine except for occasional needs. Canvas requires heavy-duty sewing machines that are meant specifically for sewing on canvas. Most mechanical sewing machines can’t handle canvas, and you’ll probably break the needle if you try.
Canvas falls under the category of long-lasting fabric. It is ideal for sewing projects like designer ornaments, useful accessories, and stylish purses that can last for a long time. Canvas is a great material for making home decorations and canvas bags because it is strong and easy to work with. Because canvas is so thick, many sewers are afraid to try to make anything out of it. However, you shouldn’t keep yourself from doing so.
All you require is a sewing machine that can handle thick fabrics in order to stitch canvas properly. You will find it quite easy to work on canvas if you invest in these incredible sewing machines that I am going to discuss in this post.
What is Required to Sew on Canvas?
Getting ready to sew on canvas with your sewing machine? First, let me give you an insight on certain requirements to sew on canvas:
- Thread: Canvas works best with cotton thread, wrapped-cotton polyester, and heavy-duty polyester. You can also use strong upholstery and wool threads. A point to note is that upholstery and wool threads might not function well in a household sewing machine’s bobbin, though they are very strong threads. However, they can operate perfectly on a heavy-duty sewing machine.
- Needle: It’s crucial to use denim needles of the proper size because canvas is a hefty fabric and might break delicate needles. Fragile needles can break easily if used on canvas, and one might even get hurt. So, I recommend using a denim needle of a size ranging from 100/16 to 110/18.
- Use Interfacing and Clips: The addition of stiff interfacing up to the seam allowance is advisable when using heavy-duty canvas, so that when you sew, your needle can only pass through two layers of fabric. Instead of using pins, make use of clips. Multiple layers of heavy canvas could be challenging to pin, especially if the canvas needs to be folded or if stiff interfacing is used.
- For the Sewing Machine : It might be needed to change the bobbin tension settings. You can either lower or raise the bobbin tension depending upon your canvas project. When stitching, heavier materials can slide more readily beneath your presser foot because they require less pressure than light-weight fabrics. Therefore, the presser in the presser foot should be adjusted. With thicker or heavier fabrics, a longer stitch length of 3 mm to 3.5 mm is ideal. It facilitates sewing through the canvas’s several layers and produces a nice-looking stitch. While working on a project that employs canvas, you might need to routinely service and clean your machine because heavy thread frequently leaves a lot of lint behind.
How Do I Choose the Best Sewing Machine for Canvas?
Canvas can never be compatible with a sewing machine that is too weak. You will need a device with a lot of power so that the needle can go through the canvas without any problems. Canvas is the best material for fashion, so your sewing machine should have more features and be good for both making clothes and decorating them. In addition, you will definitely want a versatile sewing machine. Nobody wants a machine that only works with canvas. You want it to handle a variety of materials.
- Speed: You would want to purchase a sewing machine that has a very high spm (stitch per minute) rate. You’ll be able to finish your sewing projects more rapidly, in addition to working with canvas. High speed is usually defined as a speed that is greater than 800 spm. However, you should aim for a machine with at least 1000 spm or more to keep moving from one canvas project to another. Canvas demands a little extra speed, especially if you are an expert sewer. If you have a high-speed machine, you can do projects like crafting, home decor, and quilting much more quickly.
- Creativity: I would suggest getting a sewing machine that lets you use your creativity, since working with canvas requires creativity. You’re going to feel worse about investing in a machine that lacks any sort of creativity. What I mean is that it would be a terrible waste of time to use a sewing machine that has only a few dials and two buttons and lacks any type of creative customization. Canvas sewers desire to create intriguing designs when they think of canvas. Having a sewing machine that helps your creative talent shine is the one and only way you can accomplish this.
- Accessories: You will be on your way to producing more intriguing creative canvas products if you purchase a computerized sewing device that has a ton of unique ideas built into it, such as in-built fonts and stitches. If you have never sewn on canvas before and you buy a lot of sewing machine accessories that make you want to try it, you can be more creative.
- Durability: It’s critical that you have a robust and sturdy sewing machine that can handle canvas, which is known to abuse your machine to an extent you wouldn’t believe. The machine’s durability should not be limited to a short period of time but should last forever. Therefore, ensure that the sewing machine you want to purchase is robust enough.
Some Maintenance and Sewing Tips for Canvas
- Unused canvas cloth, unlike linen and cotton, should be rolled up while storing it rather than folding it to avoid creases. These creases are very difficult to remove once they have formed.
- To iron your canvas item after sewing is completed, first mist the area with water and wait for it to absorb. To keep the canvas from getting burned, make sure to turn the iron as often as possible while pressing very hard on the creases on the highest setting.
- If you must back stitch, use a reinforcing stitch instead, which entails sewing more stitches over the first thread.
- Over large canvas areas, perform very slow stitching such that if required, you might need to turn the wheel by your hand. To prevent snapping of thread and maintain straight seams, try to sew steadily and slowly. So, slow down while working on canvas if you’re a quick sewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
When stitching canvas, you need to put a smooth drop feed mechanism, a solid design, and a strong servo motor at the top of your list.
Some other things you might need include strong thread and needles, a metal needle plate, a walking foot mechanism, and the capacity for raising the presser feet higher than usual.
The pricing is always based upon the characteristics the machine offers. You can spend as little as $500 or as much as you want on it.
However, wait and focus on the ones we have covered above rather than choosing random ones that are affordable, because they will definitely turn out to be of low quality.
Sewing canvas is a very straightforward approach. Their stiffness and thickness, not their sewing techniques, are actually what make them difficult. A strong, quick-moving sewing machine and all of its components and accessories can help a beginner complete canvas sewing projects.
Recommended Posts
If you are an advanced sewist, have a look at our best sewing machines, best sewing books and best sewing magazines posts and if you are looking to get a mechanical, heavy duty, quilting or industrial sewing machine, have a look at some of our great articles. If you are a beginner sewist, review our best sewing books for beginners, best sewing machines for beginners and best sewing machines under $200 to get started.
For brand related articles, check Best Bernette | Best Bernina | Best Brother | Best Husqvarna Viking | Best Janome | Best Juki | Best Singer |
For best accessories, check Best Chairs | Best tables | Best tracing paper | Best machine oils | Best scissors and shears | Best presser feet | Best needles | Best sewing kits |
Happy Stitching.
