Types of Sewing Machines

Classification and Types of Sewing Machines and Their Role in the Development of the Clothing Industry
Introduction
Since its invention in the 19th century, the sewing machine has played a key role in transforming the clothing industry from a slow, artisanal production to a mass, high-volume production industry. Thanks to technological advances and the integration of computing, these machines have seen tremendous development in recent decades, giving a powerful boost to the global fashion and ready-to-wear industry.

Who Invented the Sewing Machine?
The history of the sewing machine began in 1790 with the English inventor Thomas Saint, who filed the first patent for a sewing machine, but it was never put into production. The real development came in 1846 with the American inventor Elias Howe, who designed a machine that could sew fabric using a needle that moved up and down using two threads to create a tight stitch.

Later in 1851, Isaac Singer came along and invented an improved, easier to use machine by adding a foot pedal to it, which helped bring it to market and make the sewing machine an indispensable household and industrial appliance all over the world.

Classification of Sewing Machines
Sewing machines are classified according to their use and purpose and are divided into the following types:

1. Household Sewing Machines
It is used for simple household purposes and is small in size and easy to use. It includes features such as straight stitch, zigzag stitch, buttonholes and buttons.

2. Industrial Sewing Machines
They are used in factories and are designed for heavy duty and high productivity. It varies according to specialization, such as:

Trouser and Shirt Sewing Machine.

Button Sewing Machine.

Industrial Embroidery Machine.

Overlock for hemming.

3. Electronic embroidery machines
A computer is used to draw and make complex embroidery patterns with high precision. It can be connected to a computer to download finished designs in formats such as .DST or .PES.

4. Digital (smart) sewing machines
Equipped with LCD touch screens that allow you to control stitch length, sewing type and many sewing options for different fabrics. It can store hundreds of stitches and patterns.

The impact of machines on the development of the clothing industry
Before the advent of machines, clothes were sewn by hand and it took several days to make one item. Today, thanks to sewing machines:

A factory can produce more than 1,000 items per day using automatic machines.

Manufacturing costs have been reduced by more than 60%.

It has become possible to create precise and professional designs, which has contributed to the spread and diversity of fashion.

Today, digital embroidery machines are an integral part of production lines, especially at brands like Zara and H&M, where 3D design software is used before the actual sewing process begins.

Evolution of Sewing Machines in the Modern Age
With the introduction of computers into the garment industry, machines have made significant leaps forward, including:

- Numerical Control:
Some machines are now equipped with CNC (Computer Numerical Control) systems to produce very complex stitch patterns without direct human intervention.

- Artificial Intelligence and Software
Some machines can now automatically recognize the type of fabric and adjust the settings accordingly. Software like Embird and Wilcom also allow you to design professional embroidery patterns and transfer them directly to your embroidery machine.

- 3D Printing and Automated Sewing
Companies like Amazon and Sewbo have begun developing machines that can fully automatically sew garments using a robotic arm, marking a revolution in manufacturing.

The Future: Where is the Sewing Machine Industry Heading?
These machines are expected to continue to improve with the introduction of technologies such as:

Augmented Reality (AR) in training.

Cloud integration for storing and sharing designs between design teams located in different locations.

Printing on fabrics directly from the machine, eliminating the traditional printing step.

Market reports show that the global sewing machine market size reached US$ 4.1 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 6.3 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%.

Global Examples
Brother, Janome, and Singer are some of the most popular brands that develop home and professional sewing machines.

Juki, a Japanese company, manufactures industrial machines used in Nike and Adidas factories.

Tajima is a leading manufacturer of large-scale automated embroidery machines.

conclusion
Today, the sewing machine has become not just a tool, but a vital element in the world of fashion and production. It is obvious that