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A Selection of The Best Sewing Machines for Sale

We offer a wide range of sewing machines for sale at competitive prices in South Africa.

What Is a Sewing Machine?

A sewing machine is in essence a machine that is used to sew two or more pieces of cloth together. Not only textiles may be sewn using a sewing machine, but also a variety of other materials, including as leather, bags, tents, and more.

There are primarily two kinds of sewing machines utilised in the textile industry: manual sewing machines and electric sewing machines.

A hand or foot treadle is used to power a manual sewing machineThe manufacturing capacity of manual sewing machines is significantly lower when compared to that of electric sewing machines. The majority of such sewing machines are utilised in homes or tailor shops because of their inexpensive cost and ease of use.

Because it is powered by electricity, an electric sewing machine operates at much more speed and without any hiccups. Most industrial sewing machines are powered this way due to the great output capacity and efficiency that is needed.

Apart from ordinary electric sewing machines bought for home use, typical types of industrial sewing machines include the lock stitch machine, the chain stitch machine, the overlock machine, the zigzag stitch machine, and the blind stitch machine.

How Does a Sewing Machine Work?

A sewing machine usually has a needle and a shuttle to carry the thread and can be powered by a foot pedal or by electricity. It was the first mechanical home appliance that a lot of people used, and it has been an important industrial machine ever since.

The most common type of sewing machine used today has a shuttle hook and an eye-pointed needle. A thread is pulled through the fabric by the needle. The shuttle hook is inside the machine, below the part that moves the fabric through the machine. The hook moves around a thread-filled bobbin. At the same time, it grabs the thread coming from the top and winds the two threads together. This makes a long line of stitches in the fabric.

Sewing machines can make various types of plain (as described above) or patterned stitches.

Some of the most used stitches are:

Zigzag stitches

A zigzag stitch is a back-and-forth stitch used where a straight stitch will not suffice, such as in preventing ravelling of a fabric, or when stitching stretchable fabrics.

Chain stitches

A basic chain stitch uses only one thread and is not viable for all sewing, since it is not self-locking and needs to be tied at both ends to stay put. Today, it is usually paired with an overlock stitch along the same seam.

Lock stitches

Lock stitches are used instead of chainstitches on modern industrial machines. Two threads are used, one passed through a needle and one from a bobbin or shuttle.

Overlock or "serger stitches"

They can be formed with two to four threads, one or two needles, and one or two loopers.  Overlock sewing machines are used for protecting edges against ravelling, for seams in knit or stretchy fabric garments, or for seams in fabric light enough that the seam needn’t be pressed open.

Cover stitches

A cover stitch is formed by two or more needles and one or two loopers. One looper operates the thread below the fabric being sewn, forming a bottom cover stitch against the needle threads while a top looper simultaneously form a top cover stitch.

Different Types of Sewing Machines

There are six types of domestic sewing machines for home use and innumerable specialised industrial machines used in factories for clothing production.

Mechanical treadle sewing machines

Mechanical machines were made before people had access to electricity. The machine has either a handle or a treadle that powers the machine and the stitching needle when turned.

Electronic sewing machine types

Electronic machines are powered by electricity and can work straight stitch, zigzag, and even some decorative stitches.

Mini and portable machines

Small electronic sewing machines are well suited to use in small projects and mending.

Computerised or automated machines

Computerised and fully automated machines have LCD screen displays, built-in stitch programmes, can make buttonholes, operate with different tension controls and stitch lengths and feature automatic needle threading and embroidery options.

Embroidery machines

The embroidery machine cafn store built-in designs and a USB port enables the embroiderer to access and import designs into the memory of the machine.

Quilting machines

Quilting machines have longer arms for greater volumes of fabric to pass through and it can sew thicker layers of fabric. 

Overlocking or serger machines

The overlock machine is used for sewing stretch knits and fleece.

How to Choose a Sewing Machine

When looking for a sewing machine, you should consider the following:

• A metal full rotary hook is good to avoid a lot of thread jamming.
• Choose a machine with an open arm to be able to sew sleeves or pant legs.
• A machine with universal pressure options automatically adjust for materials of different thicknesses.
• Choose a quality machine without cheap plastic parts that can break easily.
• Decide beforehand how many stitch options you really need.
• A machine that is capable of making a one-step buttonhole will save you lots of time.
• Don’t overwhelm yourself with a machine that is too complicated and with a lot of extras you don’t need.
• If you have a limit on the amount of money you can spend, rather go for a good, used, reconditioned machine but if you’re going to use your machine in sewing business, go for a professional style machines that can withstand constant use.
• Make sure about the length of the machine’s warranty and what it covers, and if it can be serviced near you.

Best Brands of Sewing Machines for Sale at MHC World

Some of the best-known sewing machine brands are:

• Singer – amongst the leading manufacturer sewing machines brands.
• Empisal – popular for stitching all kinds of fabric, both light and heavy, including cotton, wool, rayon, tricot, jersey, and knits.
• Brother – from mechanical sewing machines to suit beginners to computerised models that provide a professional finish, are available.
• Pfaff – Europe's oldest and most reputed sewing machine brand.
• Gemsy – flat-bed style industrial sewing machines for use on medium and heavyweight materials.
• E-sew – a dependable industrial sewing machine brand.
• Juki – industrial sewing machines that sew products in every field.