Soft Furnishing Industrial Sewing Machines

Sales Manager Andrew Hall with AMUSF President Roy Theobald a the 2005 BBC Good Homes Show. Andrew was demonstrating the outstanding embroidery capabilities of the Brother embroidery range.

AMUSF Soft Furnisher Jane Fiddian was impressed by the possibilities

Graham Hughes and Andrew Hall fielding questions from consumers and traders at the BBC Good Homes Show 2005

Malcolm Price

(Sales Director)

Robert Miller

(Managing Director)

J & B Sewing Machine Co Ltd have been supporting the soft furnishing industry for over forty years and have been active supporters of the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers for much of that time. We regularly exhibit at the Association’s Conference and are often called upon to support consumer events with the provision of machinery. A traditional firm, with an active eye on the ball, J & B Sewing Machines have always been keen to offer advice on methods and equipment to improve manufacturing processes.

J & B is arguable the largest supplier of new and used cutting and sewing machines in the UK and were recently appointed main UK distributors for Brother UK. We can supply both new and reconditioned equipment and can adapt and engineer machinery for applications needed in special situations. With the range of fabrics and finishes getting increasingly larger, the need for versatile equipment is becoming more evident all the time. To help manufacturers identify the correct machine for the job, J & B have produced this short guide to the equipment currently available and have outlined the differences between the machinery available in today’s market.

This guide is intended to give manufactures an oversight of what is available and is not exhaustive.

So if you are looking for something out of the ordinary, please feel free to make contact.

Drop Feed

A light weight industrial sewing machine used predominantly in the blinds and curtain making industry. All the feeding is done from below, whilst the needle is out of the work. A range of feet are obtainable including piping, zipper, and gathering (light weight fabrics only) and virtually all machines come with reverse stitch lever.

Needle Feed

A light to medium weight industrial sewing machine that handles heavier and unstable fabrics better than the drop feed. The feeding is done whilst the needle is in the fabric with the needle moving front to back with the lower feed so that the top and bottom fabrics are fed simultaneously. A similar range of feet are available as the drop feed and it would have a reverse stitch lever.

Walking Foot

A medium to heavy weight industrial sewing machine that is a side bobbin drop feed but has the benefit of a fixed inner foot and a driven outer foot which "walks" the fabric through the sewing process. Piping, flat, and zipper feet are available for this machine and it is perfect for re upholstery work. Older machines were similar, but had a sprung outer foot and no reverse.

Needle Feed Walking Foot

A medium to heavy weight industrial sewing machine that has the benefit of needle feed and walking foot. This machine usually has a drop-in, top loading bobbin and often comes with automatic lubrication giving it a much higher top speed. The machine is designed more for upholstery manufacturers but is a favourite with re-upholsterers.

OverLocks

Overlocks are available in Three, Four, and Five thread format:

1. Three thread overlocks are usually for neatening the edge of the fabric on turned up valances for example, or the internal seams of cushions especially on loose cover suites and curtains. We can also supply a machine with a very narrow foot which allows the internal edges of a suite to be overlocked after piping by allowing he piping to get closer to the needle.

2. Four thread overlocks have an extra line of stitching inside the stitching and is usually used on stretch fabrics but is of little use on upholstery fabrics.

5. Five thread overlocks are used mainly on curtains for panel seaming in the normal feed system but in the Yamato AZF8611G Top feed version, it is possible to pipe and sew in one operation making it ideal for loose cover suites. This machine is capable of sewing many thickness of fabric with the "FR" finish and easily handles cross seams.

Blindhem

This machine is used almost entirely in the curtain making industry where a curtain needs to be hemmed on the sides or bottom hem with none of the sewing showing through on the face side. The machine is also very popular because it is probably ten times faster and a lot less laborious than hand Sewing J & B Sewing Machine Co Ltd supply all makes of sewing machines and spare parts and we are the UK sole distributor of BROTHER, YAMATO, and TYPICAL sewing machines. We feel that you deserve the best quality available which is why we avoid selling inferior copy machines that are advertised through various media and EBay due to the heavy nature of your business.