5 Best Shoe Sewing Machines to Make the Perfect Pair

By
Marilyn Grant
Marilyn Grant
Writer
Marilyn knows how to present the dullest topic in an interesting and easy-to-read way. When she’s not teaching English Literature at a local school or writing for our site read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Julie Flores
Julie Flores
Expert Consultant
Julie owns a shop specializing in sewing equipment and accessories. No wonder she knows everything when it comes to technical specifications of practically anything we revie read more
Last updated: August 13, 2023
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Not every sewing machine you see is designed to cope with the different tough materials you want to sew together. You may want to sew thick materials to make shoes or bags, and this calls for you to use a heavy-duty or specific device. Since regular machines won’t do for such tasks, we’ll help you understand how to pick the right device.

When it comes to choosing the best shoe sewing machine that will help you make the best shoe or bag using desired material, you will need to consider several unique features. You will need to check the machine’s overall dimensions because you don’t want to buy one that doesn’t fit in the space you have. The other factor that you must consider is the maximum stitch thickness to make your creation a reliable one. We’ve also considered machine’s speed control and manufacturer’s warranty. So, let’s find which machines you can trust.

Quick Summary

  • "Reliable shoe sewing machine with convenient tripod stand. Manual speed control. 8 mm maximum stitch thickness."
  • Best Industrial Sewing Machine: JUKI DDL-8700
    "High-quality industrial sewing machine that can take on thick materials. 5500 spm maximum speed. Quiet servo motor."
  • "Fairly priced shoe sewing machine that is easy to assemble. Manual speed control. 5 mm maximum stitch thickness."
  • Best Compact Sewing Machine: YUEWO DIY Shoe Repair Machine
    "Sewing machine best fit for lighter shoe types. Manual speed control. 1 mm maximum stitch thickness."
  • Best Quiet Sewing Machine: BACHIN Shoe Repair Machine
    "Comfortable to use sewing machine for shoes. Manual speed control. 5 mm maximum stitch thickness."

Top 5 Shoe Sewing Machines Review 2024

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1
Features
  • Dimensions: 20.6 x 13.6 x 5.9 in
  • Manual speed control
  • Max. thickness: up to 8 mm
  • Guarantee: lifetime limited

More features: 360-degree rotating foot, iron construction

Regardless of what you feed under the needle, the IRONWALLS Leather Sewing Machine will efficiently work even on the most stubborn materials. Newbies and veterans hold it in high regard because it is made using high-quality materials and is durable. You will love this machine even more, given that it emits minimal noise and is highly efficient. The total dimensions are 20.6 x 13.6 x 5.9 inches, while its base is a tripod.

The cool design the machine boasts of allows the foot and the needle to make a 360-degree rotation. This means you can slide a tall boot and sew a complete circle without the need to rotate the boot. The manual speed control machine can do a maximum thickness of 8mm. With this machine, you can control and adjust the stitching speed.

This IRONWALLS shoe stitching machinery can sew different materials by cotton or nylon wire. With this machine, you can repair trousers, cloth, leather bags, and other leather products, among other cloth items.  The machinery is also quite easy to assemble and will only take you a few simple steps. The only thing you will need to remember is to add a little lubricating oil to the moving parts before you start.

What we liked: This sewing machine scores highly mainly because it produces elegant products. It is an easy machine to assemble and can be used to sew almost anything in your home.

What could be better: The only thing that you should be aware of about the machine is that you will get all dirty when assembling it.

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9.5
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9.1
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9.3
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9.3
9.5
2
Best Industrial Sewing Machine

JUKI DDL-8700

Features
  • Dimensions: 48 x 20 x 48 in
  • Max. speed: 5500 spm
  • Max. stitch length: 5 mm
  • Guarantee: 2 years on motor, 5 years on parts

More features: 5 mm stitch width, 1 built-in stitch, servo motor

Are you in need of the best industrial sewing machine? Well, you are in luck because JUKI DDL-8700 will help you achieve your sewing goals and much more. This sewing machine which has a maximum sewing speed of 5500 stitches per minute, is a real workhorse. Whether you are looking to fix garments or working on a large shoe project, this is the machine to have on your side.

This JUKI sewing machine is a one-needle, one-stitch workhorse that is perfect for all your industrial work. It is lightweight, gentle, durable, and affordable. Indeed, it is the best leather and shoe sewing machine in the market today. Besides being made using the best hardy materials, this machine is self-lubricating, hence removing the need for regular oiling.

The one thing that makes this machine stand out is its servo motor. The 110-volt motor is super quiet, unlike many industrial machines. This motor further affords you adjustable RPMs, which then means you have a range of stitching options to choose from. With the machine, you get a maximum stitch length of 5mm and 5mm stitch width.

What we liked: One can’t fail to notice the quietness of the servo motor, which makes the DDL-8700 machine perfect for use in residential areas. It is the right tool for fashion designers, dressmakers, and tailors.

What could be better: The only downside we found with this machine is that it can only come with one in-built stitch. This is, however, compensated by the high number of stitches the machine can do.

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8.7
9.2
Features
  • Dimensions: 19 x 12.5 x 5.9 in
  • Manual speed control
  • Max. thickness: 5 mm
  • Guarantee: 3-month money back policy

More features: comes with assembling kit, 6 mm max width, iron construction

If you are thinking of getting the best cobbler sewing machine, then FamYun Hand cobbler machine will serve you perfectly. This cobbler shoe repair machine, whose dimensions are 19 x 12.5 x 5.9 inches, offers you the best value for your money. It is an ideal machine for repairing cobbler shoes and can be used with a nylon line, prince line, and cotton line. The maximum sewing thickness is 5mm.

This FamYun shoe sewing machine is capable of sewing different material shoes using nylon and cotton wire. It will easily sew leather shoes, sneakers, raincoats, trousers, high heels, rubber shoes, and other products. The distance between needles is easily regulated and can be set to a maximum 6mm. The added advantage of sewing with this machine is that hard to reach places will no longer be a bother.

Because it is a hand-held machine, the final product will have a knocking mark. To ensure that you use this product for a long time, the manufacturer has coated its surface with anti-rust oil. The other cool feature this tripod-stand machine boasts is its working foot, which works well and allows the machine to sew in any direction by turning the foot.

What we liked: We loved that the product comes with an assembly kit. It takes just a few minutes to assemble the machine.

What could be better: Even though it’s not expensive, you will need to do a little bit of tinkering with the machine before you can use it on your projects.

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8.4
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8.9
4
Best Compact Sewing Machine

YUEWO DIY Shoe Repair Machine

Features
  • Dimensions: 13.7 x 5.9 x 20.8 in
  • Manual speed control
  • Max. thickness: 1 mm
  • Guarantee: 1-year limited

More features: comes with assembling kit, hand crank, metal construction

The YUEWO DIY Shoe Repair Machine is definitely one of a kind. You can sew high heels, cloth shoes, leather shoes, and even raincoats, among other materials, by nylon or cotton lines. The machine uses standard needles whose distance you can regulate. Measuring 13.7 x 5.9 x 20.8 inches, you will love the compactness of this machine.

To ensure that you continue using the machine for many years to come, YUEWO has used iron. You will further find out that assembling this machine is very easy. To improve the machine’s functionality, the manufacturer has designed the arm to allow you to enter the inside of any kind of shoe. The manual speed-controlled machine emphasizes on strength and accuracy. This feature further means that you can stop or pause an operation whenever and wherever you want.

The maximum thickness you can get with this YUEWO is 1mm. The compactness of this unit makes it an ideal tool for your everyday use. Moreover, the noise produced by the unit is minimal. The only thing you should remember to do is lubricate the moving parts using lubricating oil.

What we liked: This is a very compact and simple to use sewing machine. The manufacturer has gone a step further to guarantee a 100% money-back guarantee of one year.

What could be better: Even though this is an easy machine to assemble, you will find it worthless unless you are ready and willing to give it some DIY upgrade.

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8.7
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5
Best Quiet Sewing Machine

BACHIN Shoe Repair Machine

Features
  • Dimensions: 19 x 13 x 6 in
  • Manual speed control
  • Max. thickness: 5 mm
  • Guarantee: lifetime

More features: assembled in several minutes, 6 mm max width, anti-rust oil coating

If you are shopping for a sewing machine for shoes, then the BACHIN Shoe Repair Machine will not disappoint. This sewing machine will sew a variety of materials such as rubber shoes, leather shoes, high heels, cloth shoes, and even raincoats. You can use nylon or cotton line. With this machine, you will reach a maximum sewing thickness of 5mm. You can adjust the distance between needles to reach a max width of 6mm.

This BACHIN machine dons advanced features hence making it capable to afford you the best sewing experience. You will love the efficiency with which this machine operates with. You will love it even more given the very low noise it produces. This makes it ideal for your everyday use and a good household investment. Being a manually controlled machine when it comes to speed, you are guaranteed to get quality stitches that are accurate and precise.

This machine measures 19 x 13 x 6 inches and weighs 23.9 pounds. It will take little space in your home. Having been made using compact hardy metal, you will find that it is durable and water-resistant.

What we liked: We loved the effectiveness of the walking foot, which maneuvers in all directions by simply turning the foot. The anti-rust oil applied to the machine, which doesn’t affect your use of the machine is also something to take note of.

What could be better: The main downside to owning this unit is that you will need to dismantle it piece by piece to grind and smooth every component before you can start to use it. It is rather rough.


Things to Consider

There is no denying that a good sewing machine must be an integral part of a successful project. Below, we have looked at the numerous factors that one must consider when shopping for a shoe sewing machine. We have further answered a few FAQs to help you make the right choice.

Benefits of getting a shoe sewing machine

5 Best Shoe Sewing Machines to Make the Perfect PairAn ordinary sewing machine will give you a heck of a time when you try to make anything using tough materials like leather. This is why you need to invest in a quality shoe sewing machine that is more than capable of sewing all your leather shoes and other unique products. If you are not yet convinced, here are some advantages that you should consider;

  • The stitching thickness of such a machine can go as high as 6mm, given the material used.
  • It can sew through thick layers of materials such as leather.
  • The machine allows you to produce quality items that are free from defects
  • You will use the walking foot, which helps you keep all the layers even and nice
  • You will never worry about repairing your shoes or even making a cool pair for yourself
  • You can earn using the machine
  • It doesn’t take up a lot of space

How to use shoe stitching machine

A shoe machine will not come assembled. Therefore, you will need to use the instruction assembling manual that is included in the package by the manufacturer. The user community is also strong, and you will find all manner of help on several social media channels.

You will find everything in the box, including the assembling instructions, brackets, cotton thread, hand crank, and the shoe sewing machine main body. While removing everything from the box in preparation for setting up, take care not to cull or break the needle. Using a wrench, tighten where necessary, especially the base where the body sits on the tripod. Pay special attention to the alignment of the port. Also, take note not to tighten the center nut too much as this can cause the shaft not to turn.

When it comes to the threading of the shoe sewing machine, you should use a thread that your machine is compatible with. It can be cotton, prince, nylon or any that the manufacturer has specified. Start with installing the lined shaft on which you should place the thread yarn. To make the thread pass through holes and to generally do good threading, burn the tip a little with a small flame. You might need a thin wire to help you with the threading process. But every other machine will come with specific instructions. You will finally need to put the thread through the eye of the needle. Lift the presser up to allow the material to pass between the needle and the working surface.

Prices

Price continues to be a major gauge when it comes to determining whether one should buy something or not. In the case of the shoe sewing machines, the price of the featured machines ranges from less than $100 to close to $1,000. Even though the more expensive machines are ideally the premium picks, you will not be disappointed if you choose the one going for less than $100. All these machines are designed to perform similar functions, but the ease, the precision, the quality of products and even the durability should ideally be captured in the price tags.

Features to consider while buying the best shoe sewing machine

5 Best Shoe Sewing Machines to Make the Perfect PairBefore you make your choice on the best shoe sewing machine to go home with, you must evaluate the product’s worthiness based on important factors. We will look at some essential features that you must consider when you are searching for that ideal machine. After reading through these features and evaluating your needs, you will undoubtedly be in a better position to pick the right machine.

Design

There are not very many designs when it comes to shoe sewing machines. You can have the all tough and somewhat rugged machine such as the IRONWALLS Leather Sewing Machine or the YUEWO DIY Shoe Repair Machine, which come with a metal frame. Such a machine can be a single stitch machine or can allow you to sew several different stitches. Most are manually controlled. You can buy an ordinary-looking sewing machine such as the JUKI DDL-8700 machine.

Heavy-duty motor

The more powerful a motor is, the greater the speed of the sewing machine. In the JUKI DDL-8700 machine, the motor powers the machine to deliver some 5,500 stitches per minute. You will also notice that only the machines bearing the ordinary sewing machines look come with a motor. For the other machines, such as the YUEWO DIY machine and the HYDDNice Hand Cobbler machine, the speed is controlled manually. Therefore, you will know in which machines to look for a motor and in which machines not to bother checking.

Speeds

The higher the speed you can get out of a sewing machine, the faster you will complete a project. If you are looking forward to establishing yourself as a commercial producer of shoes or professional cobbler, then speed is something that you must carefully consider. In the case of the JUKI DDL-8700 machine, the maximum speed you can attain is 5,500 stitches per minute. As for the other shoe sewing machines in this review, you will control the speeds manually. Which is an advantage in that you can pause or stop exactly where or when you want.

Construction

5 Best Shoe Sewing Machines to Make the Perfect PairShoe sewing or repair machines are subjected to rigorous and tough jobs. This demands that the machine be sturdy and durable. It, therefore, matters how the machine is constructed. To help you enjoy using your machine for years to come while not worrying about the amount of projects the machine can handle, manufacturers such as HYDDNice and FamYun have used iron in the construction of their products. The IRONWALLS Leather Sewing Machine has also been constructed using iron. To reduce rust on the machines, the manufacturers use anti-rust oil coating.

Ease of use

You definitely don’t want to have a machine that takes you weeks or even months to learn the ropes. Assembling your shoe sewing machine ordinarily requires that you be willing to get your hands dirty. However, there are still some machines that are quite straightforward when it comes to assembly and usage. In the case of the HYDDNice Hand Cobbler Shoe Repair Machine, you will find that for you to get the best value out of the machine, you must be ready to do some polishing of the machine. The same can be said about the IRONWALLS Leather Sewing Machine. All in all, you will find that after carefully reading the manufacturer’s manual, you should have an easy time assembling and using your machine.

Guarantees

The warranty offered by the manufacturer on a shoe sewing machine determines how confident you will be using it. Established brands back their products with long warranties because they have tested and retested such products. In our case, you will find IRONWALLS Leather Sewing Machine is backed with a limited lifetime warranty. FamYun backs theirs with a three-month warranty while JUKI has a 2 year and 5-year warranty on motor and parts respectively.

Extra features

The manufacturer’s warranty on a shoe sewing machine determines how confidently you will be using it. Established brands back their products with long warranties because they have tested and retested such products. In this review, you will find IRONWALLS Leather Sewing Machine is backed with a limited lifetime warranty. FamYun backs theirs with a three-month warranty while JUKI has a 2 year and 5-year warranty on motor and parts, respectively.

Sewing machine for shoes – maintenance tips

After putting together your shoe machine, you must use the lubricating oil on it. The moving parts can grind against each other over time, leading to a malfunctioning product. It would be best if you also oiled the machine regularly to ensure it stays in an impeccable state for years to come. Bear in mind some machines are not rust-resistant, and this means you must always oil them to prevent rust building up. The cleaning of your machine is something else that you must do on a regular basis. This process removes excess thread and dirt. As a rule of thumb, you should have your sewing machine professionally serviced every year or two to ensure it continues to run well.

FAQ

What are the most difficult fabrics to sew shoes with?

Leather remains one of the toughest materials you can sew. Leather is not a fabric as there are no weaves to consider. When making your shoe, it is necessary that you make use of the foot. By appropriately using the feed dogs, you will have an easy time sewing even the toughest of materials.

How often should I oil shoe stitching machinery?

Every machine is different from the other. This being the case, you should read the user manual to make sure that you oil yours on the appropriate parts and when required. Many of the shoe sewing machines will come disassembled and won’t be oiled. This means that after you assemble it, you will need to lubricate the parts. An obvious spot to oil is the bobbin case. As a rule of thumb, you should oil your machine every four months or as directed by the manufacturer.

How often should I change needles in a cobbler sewing machine?

Needles are some of the cheapest components in a sewing machine, and yet they can cause serious problems. You should change your needles regularly. There doesn’t seem to be a standard way of going about this, but it is generally recommended that you change the needle after every project. Obviously, there are those projects that will take more time and effort to complete, try changing the needles whenever they become dull. You can enhance your needles’ longevity by investing in titanium coated needles that tend to last longer.

Our verdict

Our editor’s choice is the IRONWALLS Leather Sewing Machine that can be called the best shoe sewing machine. We picked this machine because it affords the user a plethora of cool features such as the 360-degree rotating foot. Its capacity to cover a maximum thickness of 8mm and its iron construction makes it an even more appealing and practical machine to many.

Our second pick is the JUKI DDL-8700, which also happens to be the best industrial sewing machine. With this machine, you get a 2-year warranty on the very effective motor that powers it to deliver 5,500 spm. As the best sewing shoe sewing machine to check out, it comes with one in-built stitch and a max stitch length of 5mm.

The best value machine is FamYun Hand Cobbler Shoe Repair Machine. This machine boasts of an assembly kit and is made of iron. The 3-month money-back guarantee and its fair price serve to endear this machine to many beginners.

References

1.
Manual Shoe Making Sewing Machine
Subscribe and sewing machine dual studies and can be the shoe sewing machine? Materials selection is convenient instance the Pattern sewing machines, importers, Perfect For Everyday Use.
9,7
Total Score
IRONWALLS Leather Sewing Machine - Editor’s Choice
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