Heavy duty sewing machines for home use can help you handle big projects like sewing denim quilts and upholstery. While they may not be as portable as lighter machines, they have the power to stitch multiple layers and thick materials without stalling. Let’s take a closer look at these two machines to see which will be the best for you.
Brother ST371HD Strong and Tough Sewing Machine with 37 Stitches
The Brother ST371HD Strong and Tough Machine weighs 14.3 pounds so it doesn’t walk when you’re sewing at high speed. With heavyweight needles and a metal needle plate, it can handle everything from silk to canvas and suede. One look and you’re see this is a sturdy mechanical machine. Look closer and you’ll discover that it has some very easy to use features.
The ST371HD has markings to help you thread the machine. Then use the lever to thread the needle automatically. On the top of the machine, you’ll see the automatic bobbin winder. Then underneath the needle plate, you’ll find the drop-in bobbin system that has a transparent top. That way you can always keep an eye on how much thread you have left. The quick-set bobbin system is made to avoid jams and loose thread buildup.
Any adjustments you want to make to the machine are done with dials. You can set the thread tension and select your stitch. There are 37 programmed in the ST371HD and each one has a graphic to show you how it looks. Other dials make changes to the stitch length up to 4mm long, and width up to 7mm wide.
Choose from basic stitches like zigzag and stretch, or do a blind hem and decorative work. Brother includes 6 quick-change presser feet in the box. Those include blind stitch, zipper, nonstick (for suede), buttonhole, and spring action zigzag.
There are even more handy features like the one-step auto-size buttonhole maker and the free arm. The free arm is perfect for sewing cuffs on sleeves or making baby clothes. You can also lower the feed dogs if you want to darn or do free motion quilting.
More features of theBrother ST371HD Strong and Tough Sewing Machine:
- Has a built-in carrying handle
- Sews up to 800 stitches per minute
- The LED worklight is bright and should last for thousands of hours
- Brother offers a 1-year warranty for parts, labor and accessory items, 2 years for electronic components and printed circuit boards (replacement labor excluded) and 25 years on the frame
Singer 4452 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
The Singer 4452 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine has some similarities to the Brother ST371HD that make it a little difficult to choose between them. For example, it has an automatic needle threader, a top drop-in bobbin with a transparent lid, and a one-step buttonhole maker. It also has a free arm.
But it has fewer stitches (only 32 compared to Brother’s 37), although it comes with the same number of presser feet in the box. Unlike the Brother, you can change only some of the decorative and satin stitch sizes up to 6mm in width instead of 7mm.
Users have commented that the 4452 sews quickly with very little vibration and hardly any noise. Singer says it can work up to a top speed of 1100 stitches per minute, and that’s quite a bit faster than the Brother. It has three needle positions, an extra-high presser foot lifter, and it sews in reverse to reinforce stitches automatically.
More features of the Singer 4452 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine:
- Comes withAll-Purpose Foot, Zipper Foot, Buttonhole Foot, Button Sewing Foot, Seam Ripper-Lint Brush, Quilting Guide, Needles, Bobbins, Screwdriver, Auxiliary Spool Pin, Spool Pin Felt, Soft-Sided Dust Cover, Even Feed-Walking Foot, Non-Stick Foot, Clearance Plate, Heavy Duty Needles – Size 16
- Has an LED worklight
- Covered by Singer’s industry standard warranty
Recommendation
Since both of these machines are heavy duty, you can use them for tougher projects that a regular machine couldn’t handle. Both of these are user-friendly even for beginner sewists. You may end up selecting the brand that you prefer, or using the price to help you decide. Otherwise, here are some recommendations.
The Brother ST371HD has a few more stitches than the Singer 4452, but it sews a little slower. If speed isn’t important, but variety of stitches is, get the Brother.
The Singer 4452 sews faster, sews in reverse automatically, and has an extra high presser foot lifter. If you want more speed and do free motion quilting, you may enjoy the Singer 4452 more.
Click here to purchase Brother ST371HD on Amazon.com!
Click here to purchase Singer 4452 on Amazon.com!