Home vs Industrial Sewing Machines: Which One's For You?

Let's talk sewing machines! Home vs Industrial - which one is for you and what are the features, pros/cons, and reality of owning the Brother CS7000i and Juki DDL-8700.
Not sponsored - I paid for these sewing machines myself. I'm not a sewing machine expert, just sharing my experiences of ownership.
Brother CS7000i Computerized 70 Stitch Sewing Machine
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Juki DDL-8700 Walking Foot 🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE
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[@SewingReport]

*Not sponsored - I paid for these sewing machines myself. I'm not a sewing machine expert, just sharing my experiences of ownership.* Brother CS7000i Computerized 70 Stitch Sewing Machine amzn.to/2Uufnoc Juki DDL 8700 Industrial Straight Stitch Machine w/Servo Motor amzn.to/3rruyi4 Accessory Kit with Spare Parts + Presser Feet amzn.to/3z6NUNg Juki DDL-8700 Walking Foot 🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2TKd36QiZile6c DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links for several different programs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@TildaSwintonPlayingThomYorke]

I can’t lie the stitch quality is night and day. I know some experienced sewists can do mass production quality work on a domestic machine, but the straightness of the stitch, the control, and the accuracy of a juki just makes even my wonderful vintage Bernina look a little pedestrian. I know lots of folks don’t care about making mass production quality garments, but for me personal I can’t help but look at the garments I’ve made on a domestic machine and remember all the little flaws I couldn’t overcome while the clothes I’ve made on my Juki I sometimes forget I made them instead of buying them. Not everyone is going to be that nitpicky, but if you’re wondering how big a difference it can be and you’ve hit a wall with your domestic machine I can testify that it’s probably time to invest in an industrial machine *if you can*

[@SewingReport]

Great insight!

[@starbrown1219]

Great information for beginners. I have been sewing a long time, and have found that my Juki 2010TLQ is the best. Since nearly 100% of the time I only need a straight stitch. It’s fast and it never gets caught below the needle.

[@stefanitadio6236]

I listen to a bunch of quilting related podcasts and have heard of Juki but never knew anything about it. I appreciate the comparison!

[@rosepetalsupcycle]

Great content - very informative!

[@frankiedewsbury9100]

Great review! I just bought a Juki DDL 7000 and I’m in love!! Just discovered your channel and subscribed.

[@SewingReport]

Congratulations and welcome!

[@Brenda_S]

An industrial Juki is my dream machine. I have a Brother XL3010 from the 80’s-early 90’s (??) that I used as a total beginner in 2018 and it worked just fine. Totally manual and can shake the table if I try to sew too fast but it has metal parts instead of plastic and it can sew thicker fabrics. I eventually upgraded to a Juki HZL F-600 and I love it. I still have the Brother and have use for it on occasion. Great review. Thank you

[@mjuarez808]

I don’t have a juki, but I was able to find an industrial machine on Facebook marketplace. I paid 200.00 for it and never looked back. It’s amazing. I bought a servo motor for it and a few other odds and ends. All told I probably paid around 700 to get it in a working order that works for me including all the consumables like needles threaders bobbins presser feet. I can’t even remember the last time I touched my home machine because I use my serger or my cover stitch machines when I need to see knits or stretch fabrics.

[@debbiegauvain8539]

Hi Jenn! I love your reviews! You are always straightforward and thorough. I haven’t considered an industrial machine, but am open to checking them out at some point. I do have a couple of vintage machines that I kinda consider industrial- but just in my sewing space. BYW, I did notice your lovely curls- how’s that Dyson curler going? Looks like you’ve mastered it well! Have a great weekend!

[@richlovin2173]

My main machine is a Juki DDL-8700. I will soon add a Juki 1541. I also use a Singer 201 for light weight fabrics. Buy the machine which meets your needs.

[@annabellelopez3857]

I wish i can have Juki. You’re always so thorough. Thanks. Any videos on storing fabrics and stuff. I feel like this hobby is taking over my house 😆.

[@SewingReport]

I've been thinking about doing more on managing fabric stash, because it is a real problem for many of us!

[@Mail172]

Jen, I wish you would also address sewing tables. I am short stature (58”) and find it difficult to find an existing work table under 27”h that also accommodate my 2/1 Brother NQ6700 embroidery arm.

[@crabbegirl]

Thank you for this comparison. Even though I have no interest in buying an industrial sewing machine, I still enjoyed seeing why someone else would buy one and what features make a machine "industrial." I do like your sewing machine comparisons and will probably watch this one again in the near future. 😊

[@SewingReport]

Thanks for watching!

[@Oonagh72]

Thanks for the help.

[@SewingReport]

Any time!

[@skutovr]

Hey, Jen, you can take the Juki machine head out of the table when she goes for cleaning and service. Most professional sewing machine repair shops will have a servo motor and base to place your machine in for cleaning, testing, and repairs!

[@SewingReport]

Good to know! The guy I bought it from delivered it fully set up - I knew I could get it off the table, but helpful to know I don't have to bring in the servo motor!

[@tracyg4660]

I have a brother cs6000i and recently purchased a Brother St150hdh or something like that. It's the computerized strong and tough model. It does a fair job with heavy fabrics. I wanted a juki but don't have the space and the cost was out of budget. I do have a sailrite LS1. I like how it sews but admittedly find myself getting confused on it because it's hard to switch between machines that have different features. It's not as user friendly but does a beautiful top stitch on my bags. I have roughly 6 sewing machines but always gravitate back to the Brother.

[@user-ym9xt4gy3d]

You have nice machines I wish I have one I love sewing to but for me it is a struggle

[@angelareed7079]

Hi Jen! 👋 Thanks for the review. I have a Juki TL-2020PE and I love it! It was a birthday gift from my husband 3 years ago. It's a straight stitch but you can also quilt with it...comes with a lot of attachments. I use it to make bags, pillows, blankets, and all sorts of other items. The automatic thread cutter is my favorite thing on it. It was not cheap, but definitely worth it. Like the BTS song, it sews "smooth like Butter". 🧈💜😂

[@jennyamessler3805]

Your experience between Juki and Bernina would be super useful for a lot of us. Would you consider comparing all of your machines and why you have 8. Do you still use your other machines since you have the JUKI?

[@deniseg7340]

Ditto sounds interesting; definitely a way to cut down on waste and save resources (paper and shipping prices are crazy)! I'd like to see this sort of thing become available industry wide. I would suggest to the beginning sewist, if it's at all possible, to build a relationship with a local sewing machine dealer where you can test all levels of machines and get instruction/help. Often you are able to trade up within a certain amount of time with less cost. Although for a true entry level machine, online can sometimes net you a deal as you determine if this is a hobby you want to grow (right tool for the right job can sometimes make for a better experience). I have two sewing machines and between them I can sew just about anything. One is a Brother PRW1300 - it has way more decorative stitches than I will ever use, but I like the amount of throat/harp space. The other is a JUKI TL2200 QVP mini, which is a semi-industrial straight-stitch machine (still a bit on the heavy side - but manageable). I love the JUKI and have sewn duffle bags, project bags with vinyl; it's great for quilts to - can manage piecing and Free Motion Quilting/Ruler work quite well (the bilevel foot is AMAZING for attaching binding). The only thing I would do differently, is pick a lower tier Brother (maybe a Pacesetter or one with way less decorative stitches); a walking foot for these machines will allow you to sew a much wider variety of projects.

[@SewingReport]

Thank you for these helpful tips!

[@makingnewdreamscometrue]

All moving metal parts need to be oiled. New machines need to have their shells removed so you can see their internals and put a drop of oil where needed. Unfortunately, manuals don’t have this information. They also need to be cleaned. As for your industrial machine, you can get a special screw which allows you to change presser feet easily by just pushing in that special screw attachment. I say buy a vintage machine, domestic or industrial. If you live near an industrial sewing machine shop, they may have a mechanic who can do house or shop calls for an extra fee. You also don’t need to take the machine and table together. I just take the heads but I have to have my brother help me lift it off the table and place it in a cut down box and then use a hand truck to get it out of the house to my car. Then it’s a 2 person lift on the heavier heads. As for digital pattern drafting, Adobe Illustrator is great. It’s also good for digitizing patterns from paper or a garment. However, I still draft patterns by hand.

[@dinglebat63]

Nope, Pfaff domestics don't need oiling. Pfaff literally tell you to forget about oiling. Don't know about other brands but I'd put money on them not needing oiling either.

[@patogden856]

Thanks for your post as I am contemplating a Juki. What is the throat measurement plz ? And is it possible to do free motion quilting on it? Watching from nz XxPat

[@Mohamed.Gamil88]

Good

[@JennLeeFoster]

So I have a juki tl18 which I love but I’m really thinking I would love to dive into the industrial world… Are you able to make a quilt start to finish on this particular model? Just curious. It would be good for me to know. ☺️

[@jerrimartin6947]

Thanks for your videos. I am a beginner. I bought a very basic beginner Brother machine. I think it is the LX1387? From Walmart for $187. It is strictly manual. So far I have enjoyed it. I have made a dog coat, crate pad, my disaster knit shirt bomb, and I am working on a lap quilt as you go. I bought a walking foot for it which I love. But my next machine will have automatic threader and more light. I am partially blind and have a depth perception issue. But I do love to sew. I am teaching my self to sew also. If you have any great suggestions about lighting your sewing machine area I would love to hear them.

[@SewingReport]

Replace all the light bulbs in your sewing room with the daylight LED bulbs (5000K) and add a few additional regular lamps with those same light bulbs. 60W equivalent, or if the fixture can handle it - 75W.

[@julieann5196]

Great video Jen. I just need a machine that can sew through elastic. I have the Brother CS6000i and have had nothing but problems with it sewing through elastic. I've tried everything and nothing works. Besides the Juki you have do you know of a good machine that can sew through elastic?

[@SewingReport]

I don't have anything specific in mind for elastic, but perhaps someone else here can chime in?

[@alicekelly4975]

Juki has a line of machines they call semi industrial, their TL line is great. I’m partial because I own a Juki 2020PE, which is a limited edition of the TL series. It’s a straight stitch and for a home machine, she’s a beast. Any of the TL’s will crank through elastic, but they are pricey, around 1000-1500 depending on the model. If that’s too pricy, Janome makes a heavy duty for around 400. I don’t have personal experience with the Janome, but a lot of people like it. keep your Brother though, for other stitches.

[@alicekelly4975]

Also, check out the Juki Junkie KZbin channel, they have videos that go over the TL models and other models you might be interested in.

[@hotjanuary]

My Singer 99-13 (i believe but couldn’t date the serial number, but it matches the picture on an online manual) sews through elastic like a dream. It’s an earlier version of 99k. So maybe try a Singer 99k ? There’s a whole bunch of those versions floating around through the secondhand market. You just have to wait for them to pop up. The only difference really between my machine and 99k is that mine has no backstitch. But the inner workings are identical. I used 99k tutorials to repair my machine. Everything but the stitch regulator is identical. So it should sew the same.

[@Falconscott31]

This was a very good video! I have a few Babylocks and JUKI DDL8700 and DU1181N (walking foot). For someone starting out I would recommend them finding a sewing/quilting shop. My Babylock/Brother/Janome dealer gives a year of free classes when you buy machine from them. Which I think is great for a beginner to be around other going through the same things and getting inspirations from them. I used a basic Babylock zest and had great results. JUKI/Brother/Consew /Kansa industrial dealer is a few miles from my office and I really enjoy going over and trying out new industrial machines or buying industrial thread. Also they have great team of mechanics that can repair most items. If you buy machine from them they do customer support and will make a videos to help you repair or you can bring them the head and they can check it out. They also have industrial thread and other factory type items. I would have more industrial machines but a normal size industrial is 48”x21”table so you need good size room to have a few.

[@TeaCupCracked]

I have a Brother Prestige II and it can do denim, even though it's a computerized/at-home machine because it has a stronger motor then the more inexpensive versions. But I also spend a lot of time sourcing light-weight denim and then using Victorian ironing methods (get a clapper) to press them down into nothing before sewing. I'm not an expert, but I do believe that since I've started ironing out everything more thoroughly; everything has gone through the machine better. I think that may be the fine line in a lot of cases; I think the Juki is a good work horse that will take whatever you throw at it, but if you take out more time to prep/iron-down your stuff then I think a home machine can often handle things one wouldn't expect. But the key here is understanding what you are willing to do consistently; don't buy a machine based on how you'd ideally handle it; buy one that works for your daily method that you always end up going back to. If you plan everything around how you should, instead of how you actually do; then you're not going to be happy with the machine long-term.

[@SewingReport]

That is SO TRUE!!!!

[@dinglebat63]

Hi, at about the 17.25 mark, is that an add on walking foot on your Juki? If so, could you tell us which one it is? Thanks

[@SewingReport]

Juki DDL-8700 Walking Foot 🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2TKd36QiZile6c

[@maureen06406]

This machine has been discontinued, do you have another brother suggestion?

[@SewingReport]

I noticed there are still some floating around on the secondhand/reseller market. You could also get a similar Brother - I'd stick with machines that retail over $150, but you can find lots of them used. Avoid super cheap machines (under $100 new).

[@maureen06406]

@@SewingReport what are some websites for the second hand markets?