Window treatment styles might have changed over the decades, but curtains and drapes are as fashionable as ever. Instead of settling for the models available on the market, why not sew your own? All you need is a sewing machine and lengths of your favorite fabric.
The most important thing to check when buying a sewing machine for curtains is its versatility. Curtains can be made from a variety of fabrics. You could make airy organza curtains that let the light flood into the room or thick drapes that block the light out when you’re sleeping.
Adjustable speeds and a variety of pressure feet and needles are essential. Additional features, such as built-in decorative stitches or embroidery designs, are other aspects to consider if you want to sew unique curtains. With this in mind, let’s see which are the best sewing machines for curtains you can find.
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Contents
Brother PQ1500SL
- 1,500 Stitches per minute max sewing speed: Maximum stitching of up to 1,500 stitches...
- Advanced needle threading system: This sewing and quilting machine includes an...
- Included accessories: The PQ1500SL longarm sewing and quilting machine comes with a...
// Last update on 2024-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Brand: Brother
- Model: PQ1500SL
- Weight: 29.76 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.9 x 12.6 x 19.3 inches
- Color: White
The Brother PQ1500SL is a manual sewing machine perfect for making curtains, drapes, upholstery, and a variety of other bulky items, including bedding, quilts, and covers. Designed with sewists in mind, it can handle various types of fabrics beautifully and comes with seven pressure feet.
You can effortlessly sew think and thick fabrics alike, while the wide extension table gives you plenty of room for holding large pieces.
The adjustable speed up to 1,500 stitches per minute is another highlight. Not only you’ll be able to deal with all fabrics you like, but you can also finish your work faster than expected. In a nutshell, this sewing machine creates flawless seams on organza, tulle, satin, jacquard, denim, hemp, damask, and rough-woven cotton.
An automatic needle threader and thread cutter make it a cinch to use. Adjusting the speed and stitch length is also as easy as you can get, thanks to the intuitive knobs and levers.
It doesn’t come with built-in stitches, but considering that most curtain fabrics are already decorative, that’s not really an issue. We also like the knee lifter feature that permits you to raise the pressure foot with your knee’s swift movement while keeping both hands on your workpiece.
Other essential features include four feed dog positions for flawless sewing of different fabrics, a large throat, a removable extension table, and free arm capability. Ideal for home and commercial use, this sewing machine suits hobbyists and professional sewists.
Juki HZL-F600
// Last update on 2024-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Brand: Juki
- Model: HZL-F600
- Weight: 33.6 pounds
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 8.2 x 11.4 inches
- Color: White
Whether you’re sewing curtains for a living or are an avid hobbyist who wants the best sewing machine for curtains money can get, the Juki HZL-F600 won’t let you down. This fully computerized model can handle all sorts of creative sewing projects, from making curtains, bedding, and quilts to designing garments and accessories.
Although computerized, the control panel is intuitive enough to make all users feel comfortable. It doesn’t even matter how confident you are around technology – the comprehensive user manual and control panel makes it a breeze to use.
Like the Brother, it features a wide throat and comes with a large extension table. But what makes it even best is the variety of built-in stitches.
To be precise, you’ll get 225 built-in stitches and top speeds up to 800 stitches per minute. It may not be as fast as the Brother, but you’ll still get enough stamina to finish your projects quickly.
A feature we particularly like is the oval motion feeding mechanism that prevents fabric shrinking and shifting. This function makes it a lot easier to sew bulky items, including curtains, drapes, and bedding.
Features aside, this sewing machine also comes packed with accessories. You’ll get several pressure feet and bobbins, needles, maintenance tools, and everything else you might need to get started straight out of the box.
Sure, you’ll have to pay for all these features. But if you need a professional unit and don’t mind its steeper price tag, you can’t get anything better.
Juki TL-2010Q
- High Performance Machine: The new Juki TL-2010Q is a high-performance sewing and...
- Automatic Thread Trimmer: The machine is equipped with an automatic thread trimming...
- Knee Lifter Lever: The knee lifter lever allows you to lift/lower the presser foot...
// Last update on 2024-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Brand: Juki
- Model: TL-2010Q
- Weight: 37.8 pounds
- Dimensions: 25.7 x 14 x 18 inches
- Color: White
The Juki TL-2010Q comes as an alternative to the computerized model from the same brand. It saves you some cash, and it could be a better option for sewists who don’t really like computerized sewing machines for one reason or another, but it’s not as feature-packed.
That said, it still performs beautifully on all sorts of fabrics, including rough-woven cotton and damask, and is as easy to use as any manual sewing machine.
This single-needle, industrial-strength sewing machine comes with an auxiliary table that gives you a 23-inch workspace. It is ideal for sewing bulky items and also comes with a variety of pressure feet. It doesn’t have built-in stitches, but if you’re mostly sewing hems or free motion embroidery, it is perfect.
Like all the other sewing machines on this list, this one features adjustable speed controls that allow sewing at low speeds. The microcomputer-controlled operation, on the other hand, guarantees flawless results time and time again.
SINGER 4452
- ENHANCED PIERCING POWER: Stronger motor provides more power for sewing multiple...
- 110 STITCH APPLICATIONS: Enjoy a wide range of sewing techniques for creativity and...
- TOP DROP-IN BOBBIN WITH CLEAR VIEW COVER: Jam-proof bobbin and clear bobbin cover...
// Last update on 2024-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Brand: SINGER
- Model: 4452
- Weight: 15.71 pounds
- Dimensions: 15.5 x 6.25 x 12 inches
- Color: Grey
If you don’t have loads of free space for your sewing machine, the SINGER 4452 could be just right. It doesn’t come with an extension table and is far more compact than the other models we selected; nevertheless, it has all it takes to sew lovely curtains.
Its greatest strength is the adjustable speed control that makes it sew up to 1,100 stitches per minute. Several pressure feet and adjustable feed dog also makes it perfect for different fabric thicknesses.
A feature we particularly like is that it comes with built-in stitches despite being a manual sewing machine. Sure, you won’t get as many stitches as you’d get from a computerized model, but 23 options are still more than none at all – and some of them are decorative.
Setting the speed, stitch length, and stitch pattern is straightforward. All you have to do is operate the classic knobs and levers to set it up.
Accessories include an even feed walking foot that helps feed the fabrics easily when sewing through several layers at a time, a non-stick foot for leather and vinyl, as well as five size 16 needles. Thick seams are also easy to sew thanks to the included clearance plate.
Other excellent features are the top drop-in bobbin and automatic needle threading. Besides, you’ll also get various pressure feet, a quilting guide, and auxiliary spool pin.
Designed with heavy-duty use in mind but compact enough to fit on a small countertop or table, this sewing machine is perfect for hobbyists and beginners.
SINGER 9960
- SINGER COMPUTERIZED SEWING MACHINE: The SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 portable sewing...
- AUTOMATIC NEEDLE THREADER: Threading the machine is so easy that you can have the...
- BEST SEWING MACHINE: The SINGER Quantum Stylist 9960 sewing machine has 1,172 Stitch...
// Last update on 2024-09-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Brand: SINGER
- Model: 9960
- Weight: 20 pounds
- Dimensions: 17.25 x 8.25 x 12 inches
- Color: White
Nicknamed Quantum Stylist, the SINGER 9960 is an excellent choice if you want a computerized sewing machine for curtains but don’t want to break the bank. While it isn’t the cheapest option on the market, it is more affordable than many computerized sewing machines that are suitable for making curtains.
Highlights include a generous throat and wide extension table that can hold even the bulkiest pieces. Working with fabrics of different thicknesses is also easy, thanks to the multiple configuration options.
As you’d expect from a computerized model, this sewing machine comes with 600 built-in stitches, including five alphanumeric fonts and 13 auto-size buttonholes. Not only can you use it to sew seams, but you can also decorate your curtains with monogramming.
Like all SINGER sewing machines, this one comes packed with accessories, including several pressure feet that allow you to sew thinner cotton or synthetic fabrics as well as velvet, damask, and jacquard.
The speed isn’t as high as SINGER 4452’s, but at 800 stitches per minute, it is still sufficient to work at an optimal pace.
Some of the things we particularly like include the removable extension table and free arm capability, as well as the super-intuitive control panel. Perfect for whatever you’re throwing at it, this sewing machine is an excellent all-rounder for curtains and any other sewing projects.
Tips for Choosing the Best Sewing Machine for Curtains
Adjustable Speed and Stitch Length
Curtains can be made from a variety of fabrics, and your sewing machine must have the ability to sew perfect seams on all of them. The speed and stitch length can affect the final result – thin fabrics are easier to sew at higher speeds and need shorter stitches. On the contrary, thicker fabrics require you to use a lower speed and longer stitches.
For these reasons, it is important to buy a sewing machine with adjustable speed and stitch length. Luckily, almost all models offer you the possibility to switch from lower to higher speed and from shorter to longer stitches, but you should still check before dropping your hard-earned money.
Automatic Tension Control
Various fabrics not only require different speed and stitch length. You must also adjust the thread tension to prevent it from breaking mid-way through your sewing project. This operation can be performed manually, or you could get a sewing machine with automatic tension control. Not only will this feature make your life easier, but it’s a true life-saver for beginners.
Free Arm and Extension Table
Handling bulky pieces of fabric can be a nightmare, especially if the said fabric is thick velvet or damask. Thus, an extension table is essential for holding some of the weight and easier maneuvering of the workpiece. The free arm feature is usually used for sewing curved workpieces, but it also comes in handy when sewing curtains.
Although most sewing machines come with a free arm, not all of them have a removable extension table. You can always purchase one separately, but investing in a model that already comes with everything you need can save you the hassle.
Automatic Needle Threader and Thread Cutting
An automatic needle threader isn’t an essential feature, but it is very helpful when using very fine or very thick threads. It also comes in handy if you have poorer eyesight or shaking hands, and beginners will also find this feature useful.
Likewise, automatic thread cutting eliminates the need for scissors and creates smoother cuts that you’d be able to.
Built-In Stitches
Most of the time, you’ll only use one kind of stitch for curtains. However, getting a sewing machine with built-in stitches increases versatility. Various stitch patterns allow you to work with more types of fabrics or customize your curtains with decorative stitches.
The buttonhole stitches built-in most sewing machines also give you the possibility to create hanging holes effortlessly.
Furthermore, some sewing machines come with built-in alphanumeric stitches and even embroidery designs. These ones are great if you want to create unique curtain designs or sew monograms on your window treatments.
Durability and Maintenance
Last but not least, check the build quality and durability of the sewing machine you want to buy. A few things to consider are a metal inner frame, metal parts, and sturdy plastic finishing. Although these models are often more expensive, they are harder to break or damage.
If you need a portable model, know that brands such as SINGER or Brother have a range of compact and lightweight yet sturdy sewing machines with metal frames and parts.
As for the maintenance, make sure the sewing machine you like comes with all accessories required for the operation and a comprehensive user manual – or check if the manufacturer posts maintenance instructions videos online so that you can leave the guesswork out of the game and keep your sewing machine as new for longer.
