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Whether you have an empty room to decorate or even an entire house, by far one of the most important decors you’ll be fitting it with are curtains. For the bare room, a curtain is akin to clothes on a human body – it serves a dual function in both protecting a room from the elements (i.e. excessive sunlight) while adding some aesthetic flair.
While the proper selection of a good set of curtains for any space is in itself, an art, creating a curtain from scratch by sewing is another task entirely. Not only will you need the right fabric, but you’ll also need a unique skill set. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s not forget the most vital thing you’ll need: an appropriate sewing machine for curtain making.
You’ll need a machine that’s not just a fantastic all-rounder but can deal with the often thick and heavy fabrics required to make curtains in terms of raw piercing power. Of course, while you can opt for just about any machine if you intend on working with only light curtains, we think it’s always better to have a little more functionality than a little less.
Down below you’ll find our take on various sewing machines that work fantastic for curtain making. Just read on and take your pick!
Best Sewing Machine for Curtain Making
Brother Project Runway PC420PRW
A well-known staple in the sewing world, Brother’s PC520PRW offers any home with a fully operational, professional-grade sewing machine that is known and loved by all across the world.
Here, you’ll find a machine that’s kitted with over 294 in-built stitches. This is made easy to use and navigate around thanks to its LCD display and digitization. It doesn’t just stop there though. It’ll even allow you to play around and customize your own stitches and if you feel confident enough, you’ll even be able to share them with other, fellow curtain makers with the ‘My Custom Stich’ feature.
Beyond this, great quality of life improver is its work area. Not only is it spacious, but it is also brightly lit up which will reward you with an easier viewing experience that’ll cause less eye strain and work especially well if you’re dealing with the darker of colors.
You’ll also find an automatic needle threader that takes all the tricky manual work out of the equation along with total control over the speed of stitching with its speed slider. With a 6-point feed dog feature, sewing on fabrics could not be an easier experience which will equip you to deal with virtually any type of fabric for your curtains.
And with its in-built thread cutter, it’s certainly no stretch to say that you’ll shave plenty of time off your busy sewing schedule too!
To make this buy even sweeter, you should note that the machine comes with a range of key accessories. These include a set of presser feet (e.g. zipper foot, stitching guide foot, open-toe foot, walking foot) along with amenities like bobbins, a seam ripper, spool caps, and even a cleaning brush to name a few.
Janome HD3000 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
While not as technologically fancy as some of the other products on our list, the Janome HD-3000 still stands as Janome’s take on a good old-fashioned sewing machine that is just as every bit reliable and functional as the best of the best. Ideal for all curtain makers from total novices to the most advanced of veterans, you’ll have every tool at the tip of your fingers within its heavy-duty metal body. With 18 stitches to pick from along with totally adjustable stitch length and width, the sky is the limit here.
Stich selection too is made easy with its intuitive dial and along with its automatic needle threader, you’ll be equipped with all the modern conveniences even the newest models have. Further, don’t forget to note its adjustable presser foot which gives you full control over pressure which will be crucial when playing around with a range of fabrics that vary in thickness.
Now the fun doesn’t stop there though. Included with this purchase is a huge amount of free goodies! This includes an extremely sturdy case, a set of feet including a buttonhole food, along with needles, bobbins, a screwdriver, spool holders, a seam ripper, and so much more. With all that being said, don’t forget that this is still a heavy-duty sewing machine.
Sitting in at 21-pounds across 19 x 10 x 14.7-inches, this thing can be pretty unwieldy. So because of this, we wouldn’t recommend a pick like this if you plan to travel while working on your curtain project!
Janome Magnolia 7318 Sewing Machine with Exclusive Bundle
Ideal for a range of sewing projects even beyond curtain making, such as quilting and working on delicate garments, the Janome 7318 will appeal to any sewist looking for something for curtain making and then some. With 18 in-built stitches that’ll work well with any type of sewing project, simply crank the dial to your intended stitch on its sensibly fitted stitch panel and you’ll be all set.
All the while, you’ll even be able to adjust specifically, the length and width of your stitches based on your preferences and what you are working on. Reinforcing your stitches (which is key for curtain making) is a breeze here too, thanks to its reverse lever that couldn’t be easier to use. And if you ever find yourself lost about keeping all those pesky mental measurements in check, you can always defer to the little markings on the needle plate on this machine.
They’ll set you back on the right path! Another little ergonomic feature that goes a long way is its transparent bobbin cover. You’ll be able to easily see whether you’re ever running low on materials.
Don’t worry about things like stitches per minute and having sufficient power here. You’ll have just the right amount even for heavy-duty curtains. Now you’ll even be able to play around with its detachable free-arm should you ever feel the need without needing to reach for the screwdriver.
And all this combined with its complimentary amenities which include bobbins, needles, a muffling mat, and more, only adds further value to an already value buy.
SINGER 4423 Sewing Machine
Sitting as possible the lightest product on our list at just 14.5-pounds, don’t be fooled with its seemingly smaller footprint. The SINGER 4423 still packs a heavy punch with its heavy-duty capabilities.
Fitted out with 23 built-in stitches that span the most basic to the most intricate as well as an automated needle threader to make things easy without resorting to eye-straining activities, the SINGER is ideal for any curtain making. This paired with its high-speed functionalities will allow any sewist to make up to 1100 stitches per minute – if you can keep up – so even the most ambitious of projects will be done in a jiffy.
Dealing with tough and thick fabrics as you will with curtains is a non-issue here too thanks to its extremely strong motor that’ll provide all the piercing power you need. On the outside, you’ll find a solid high-quality metal frame that will ensure the Singer lasts for years on end even in the roughest of environments with the roughest of care.
Of course, you’ll still get a goody bag of key accessories including multiple feet, bobbins, pins, needles, and a quilting guide. Before we forget, do note that Singer machines come with a 25 Year Limited Warranty which we think is truly priceless in terms of what it will offer you in the long run.
So whether you’re dealing with canvas or denim, or have more humble projects in mind, the Singer will probably be your best friend for many, many years to come.
Brother Designio Series, DZ2400
Offering perhaps some of the most mindboggling features we’ve ever seen in a Brother machine, their DZ2400 will be a pleasant surprise and gift to any would-be curtain maker. A first look reveals a whopping 185 built-in unique stitches that’ll cover probably virtually any sewist project conceivable.
Thankfully, selecting your stitch of choice is an easy-going experience with its backlit LCD display. Just fiddle around with the buttons and pick your choice with ease! It doesn’t stop impressing at just that though. With some of the most advanced needle threading technology in the market, threading will truly feel like an unchallenging experience here even under the hands of a novice.
And if ever in doubt, with its variable speed control mechanism and with a flick of its speed slide, you’ll be able to go as fast or as slow as you want to depend on your comfort levels and project at hand.
Moreover, it comes fitted out with an LED light system which will ensure that whatever you’re working on sees the light of day which will reward you twofold: in terms of reducing eye strain and in terms of ensuring whatever you’re working on is done with as much accuracy and precision as possible.
This also means that you won’t ever need to go out of your way to purchase additional LED light strips which do tend to accrue in cost over time. Furthermore, you’ll get some pretty sweet accessories that’ll benefit just about anyone too! From a foot controller to a storage bag to multiple feet and even a wide table, the DZS400 will be absolutely ideal for any curtain making project.
Note that like the Singer, you’ll also have a 25-year limited warranty included as part of your purchase. Just don’t forget to keep your receipt and you’ll be set on that end!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there a best machine for curtain making projects?
While the answer to this is yes, you’ll be pleased to know that there isn’t any one specific answer to this commonly asked question. The good news is that curtains are relatively easy and straightforward to make. They don’t necessarily require anything fancy.
You just need something that is sufficiently powerful to deal with the thicker of fabrics and having additional features like automatic threading and an LED lighting system will only serve to make your experience all the more pleasant. Just stick with our list and you’ll be in for a treat!
Can I use these sewing machines for other projects beyond curtain making?
Absolutely. Just because we think the sewing machines above are the best for curtain making doesn’t mean that they should only be used exclusively for curtain making. All our picks come fitted with not just adequate power and stitching speed, but with a whole host of other features (e.g. countless in-built stitches) that will be a fantastic thing for any sewist to have when working on quilting, shirts, pants, and so much more.
Think of it as owning a four-wheel drive. While it’s designed to deal with rugged, hilly terrains, you’ll easily be able to drive it anywhere else like in the city and on the highway.
Can I travel around internationally and domestically with these sewing machines?
Yes and no. While generally traveling around with a sewing machine is perfectly legal should you choose to check it in (though we do note that travel regulations vary by country and state), we don’t really recommend this for the machines we’ve reviewed. Why? Well simply because they’re not designed for travel! They’re unwieldy, large, and heavy, and coupled with the cumbersomeness of curtains, you won’t be having a pleasant experience.
Of course, if you’re truly a die-hard enthusiast and just have to get your sewing done even while traveling, by all means, do so, or perhaps consider opting for a sewing machine that’s actually meant for a more mobile lifestyle! They’ll usually be far smaller and lighter and even come with a carrying case of their own. But in any case, they’re not included on our little list above.