Domestic sewing machines unlike industrial sewing machines are meant for household use. They can perform a number of tasks and a variety of materials although they can’t perform heavy tasks. Their gears are made of either plastic or nylon gears. After working for a period of 5 hours, their gears become hot. These top sewing machines for quilting under $500 can be a great help if you are looking for a sewing machine but still, this guide will be of much help.

Apart from the machine uses, sewing machines are also classified basing on their functions and facilities. Basing in this, there are four types of domestic sewing machines.

• Manual Sewing Machine
• Electric Sewing Machine
• Computerized Sewing machine
• Over Locker Sewing Machine
• Manual Sewing Machine

Manual sewing machines are the most common and basic types of domestic sewing machines. They don’t require electricity to work. Although they have less features than electric and computerized sewing machines, they are the most popular sewing machines and many people use them because they are very durable. They are referred to as vintage models of sewing machines. They need physical labor from the user for them to operate. They have a foot paddle that runs the machine and a wheel. The manual sewing machines are made of metal. They can sew all types of materials but work better with materials of light and medium weights.

• Electronic sewing machine

This has a single motor that powers the needle. There foot pedal is electric. The speed of the machine can be controlled by stepping in the foot pedal. The user controls the fabrics with both hands. The electronic sewing machine have a dial on their side that controls the type of stitch and the length of the stitch. Some of these machines have automatic tension settings, thread cutters and an automatic stitch for buttonholes. They make various stitches. They can work on multiple fabrics and a wide variety of stitch patterns.

• Computerized Sewing

These are meant for advanced tasks. They don’t have any dials or buttons. They however have LED display, LCD display and a touch screen. They perform a huge number of functions. Basic computerized machines can recall previous sewing activities and can therefore their tension automatically.

The basic computerized sewing machines can remember few previous sewing projects and can automatically set the tension. The more advanced computerized sewing machines can sew the complex embroidery stitches. The more advanced a computerized machine is the more embroidery it can perform. They have USB ports so the user can link designs to the machine.

• Overlocker Machines

These machines sew over the edges of fabrics  for hemming, edging or seaming. They cut the edges automatically and sew them too. The cutters that are in overlock machines make these machines to form thickened seams quickly and easily. In North America, these machines are called ‘sergers’. Some overlock machines don’t have cutters. They run at 1000-9000 rpm. They can be used in industries for seaming and hemming.

These machine play fewer roles. They use 2-9 threads with a number of needles to create a stitch that is overcast. They can be used as an addition to sewing machines but cannot be used as their replacements. They can used to make decorations and overlocks.

Sewing machines can also be divided basing on the types of stitches they make:

• Lockstitch Machine
• Button Holler Machine
• Button Attachment Machine
• Embroidery Machine
• Overedging machine
• Double Needle Machine
• Bar tacking sewing machine