High 15 mm foot lift
The knee lifter raises the presser foot to 15 mm, providing useful clearance when positioning bulky seams, piping, binding and multi-layered assemblies.
JUKI DU-1181N Top & Bottom (Shuffle) Feed Walking Foot Industrial Sewing Machine
$2,399.00
JUKI Industrial | Model DU-1181N
Dependable walking-foot control for medium-weight work
The JUKI DU-1181N is a single-needle industrial lockstitch machine with powerful top-and-bottom feed. Commonly known as a shuffle-feed walking-foot machine, it provides positive feeding for light-to-medium canvas, upholstery fabrics, firm PVC and other layered materials.
- Top-and-bottom feed helps keep difficult layers moving together.
- Up to 9 mm stitch length for construction seams and decorative topstitching.
- 15 mm knee-operated foot lift provides clearance for bulky seams and piping.
- Double-capacity hook reduces the frequency of bobbin changes.
2,000
Stitches per minute
9 mm
Maximum stitch length
15 mm
Knee-operated foot lift
2–5 mm
Adjustable alternating movement
Better control across layers, joins and uneven sections
The DU-1181N feeds material from both above and below. This helps reduce layer shifting and inconsistent stitch pitch when sewing materials that can drag, grip or climb over one another.
It is an excellent step up from a standard plain sewer for canvas fabricators, upholstery workshops, manufacturing businesses and serious makers who need dependable medium-weight walking-foot performance.
Long 9 mm stitches
Adjust the stitch length by dial up to 9 mm in both forward and reverse for assembly seams, visible topstitching and applications where a longer stitch is preferred.
Double-capacity hook
The horizontal-axis full-rotary hook holds a larger-capacity bobbin. Fewer bobbin changes help improve workflow when sewing longer seams with industrial thread.
Walking-Foot Performance
Powerful top-and-bottom feed
The feed dog moves the material from underneath while the toothed walking foot assists from above. This provides positive feeding across layered sections and changing material heights.
- Helps reduce movement between stacked material layers
- Improves stitch-pitch consistency over joins and raised sections
- Adjustable walking-foot movement from 2 to 5 mm
- Forward and reverse stitch length can be adjusted independently
Quiet Servo Control
Adjustable speed to suit the operator
This package is mounted on a modern energy-efficient servo motor. The motor remains quiet while the machine is idle and allows the maximum speed to be adjusted for better control.
- Responsive control from the treadle
- Adjustable maximum operating speed
- Lower idle noise than a traditional clutch motor
- Suitable for detailed work and regular production sewing
Recommended Applications
Ideal for controlled medium-weight production
The DU-1181N is designed for medium-weight materials that require more positive feeding than a standard industrial lockstitch machine can provide.
Light-to-medium canvas
Covers, bags, outdoor cushion components and general canvas fabrication.
Firm PVC and vinyl
Banners, covers and protective products where feed-tooth marking is acceptable.
Upholstery fabrics
Cushion covers, furniture components, piping and decorative seams.
Quilted products
Multi-layered textiles, padded covers and quilted assemblies.
Bags and cases
Tote bags, equipment bags, fabric cases and other medium-weight products.
General workroom products
Equipment covers, organisers, aprons and other layered sewn products.
Important material and application limits
The DU-1181N uses toothed upper and lower feed components. These teeth
can leave visible impressions on delicate, glossy, coated or easily
marked materials, including some leathers and vinyls. Sample testing
is recommended whenever the finished surface must remain unmarked.
This model is not recommended for horse rugs, extra-heavy canvas,
dense webbing assemblies or other demanding heavy-duty work. These
applications require a heavier compound-feed machine.
Complete Industrial Workstation
Supplied ready for professional use
This is a complete industrial-machine package rather than a machine head alone. Direct Sewing supplies the genuine JUKI DU-1181N with the equipment required to form a practical workstation.
- Genuine JUKI DU-1181N head with factory certification
- Quiet adjustable-speed servo motor
- Industrial table, stand and thread stand
- Wheels for easier movement around the workshop
- JUKI machine oil
- Five bobbins
- Screwdriver and 30 needles
Table and stand colours may vary from the product photography.
Freight arrangements are required for delivery outside Auckland.
JUKI DU-1181N specifications
| Machine type | Single-needle industrial lockstitch machine |
|---|---|
| Feed mechanism | Top-and-bottom feed, commonly called shuffle feed |
| Maximum sewing speed | Up to 2,000 stitches per minute |
| Maximum stitch length | 9 mm in forward and reverse |
| Needle-bar stroke | 36.5 mm |
| Presser-foot lift | 5.5 mm by hand; 15 mm by knee |
| Alternating vertical movement | Adjustable from 2 to 5 mm |
| Hook | Horizontal-axis full-rotary double-capacity hook |
| Needle system | DP×17 / 135×17; supplied specification #21, usable range #14–#23 |
| Thread range | #40 to #8, depending on material, needle and application |
| Stitch-length adjustment | Dial adjustment |
| Knee lifter | Built into the machine head |
| Lubrication | Automatic pump-unit lubrication |
| Recommended oil | JUKI Machine Oil No. 7 or equivalent ISO VG7 oil |
| Needle-to-arm distance | 261 mm |
| Bed size | 477 × 178 mm |
| Machine-head weight | Approximately 31 kg |
| Package motor | Quiet adjustable-speed servo motor |
Use the correct industrial needles
The DU-1181N uses the DP×17 / 135×17 industrial needle system. Select the needle size and point according to your material and thread.
Shop DP×17 NeedlesChoose suitable industrial thread
Rasant Oxella 35 is a strong poly-cotton industrial thread suited to many canvas, upholstery and outdoor-product applications.
Shop Rasant Oxella 35 Thread
Direct Sewing Support
Industrial-machine advice backed by over 30 years of experience
Direct Sewing has sold, serviced and repaired sewing machines for over 30 years. We can help confirm whether the DU-1181N suits your materials, advise on needles and thread, assist with setup and provide dependable after-sales servicing.
The machine includes a one-year return-to-base warranty. If you are outside Auckland, contact the team to arrange suitable freight.
Visit or contact us
138 Railside Avenue
Henderson, Auckland 0612
Phone: (09) 838 8674
Mobile: 021 274 2910
Email: info@directsewing.co.nz
JUKI DU-1181N downloads
Access official JUKI information for operating, maintaining and identifying parts for the DU-1181N.
JUKI DU-1181N questions and answers
What materials can the JUKI DU-1181N sew?
The DU-1181N is best suited to medium-weight applications including light-to-medium canvas, upholstery fabrics, quilted products, bags, cushion covers and firm PVC or vinyl where feed-tooth marking is acceptable. Suitability depends on material density, surface finish, seam construction, needle and thread.
Can the toothed feed mark the material?
Yes. The DU-1181N has toothed upper and lower feed components that provide positive material control. These teeth can leave marks on delicate, glossy, coated or easily marked surfaces. We recommend testing a sample whenever the finished surface must remain unmarked.
Is the DU-1181N suitable for horse rugs or extra-heavy work?
No. Horse rugs, extra-heavy canvas, dense webbing assemblies and other demanding multi-layered products require a more powerful compound-feed machine with greater feeding ability and heavier thread capacity. Contact Direct Sewing for advice on a suitable heavier model.
Is the DU-1181N a compound-feed machine?
No. The DU-1181N uses top-and-bottom feed. The feed dog moves the material from below while the walking foot assists from above. The needle does not travel with the material as it does on a true compound-feed or unison-feed machine.
What needle system does the DU-1181N use?
The standard system is DP×17, also known as 135×17. JUKI specifies a usable range from #14 to #23, with #21 fitted at delivery. Select the needle size and point to match the material and thread.
Does the machine include a motor, table and stand?
Yes. Direct Sewing supplies this as a complete industrial workstation with the genuine JUKI machine head, adjustable-speed servo motor, table, stand, thread stand and wheels. Oil, bobbins, a screwdriver and needles are also included.
Does it have automatic thread trimming or backtacking?
No. Thread trimming and reverse stitching are operated manually. The supplied servo motor provides adjustable speed control but does not add automatic trimming or automatic backtacking.
Can Direct Sewing arrange delivery outside Auckland?
Yes. Because this is a complete industrial machine with a table and stand, special freight arrangements may be required. Contact Direct Sewing for a delivery quote.
What support and warranty are included?
The DU-1181N includes a one-year return-to-base warranty. Direct Sewing also provides application advice, setup guidance, servicing, repairs and after-sales support from Henderson, Auckland.