We've got a few industrial machines, Pfaff & Juki, for the construction. Also 3 home machines for embroidery/applique & clothing. The old Pfaff is an industrial zig-zag/straight stitch and is used for clothing too, only use it for small piecework like pockets & such w/bags because the Juki is so much better suited to the heavy stuff & is a dedicated straight stich/walking foot. Kick press for snaps, rivets & grommeting, a selection of hand tools & hot cutters. Lots of stuff really but still a workshop, not production. A new addition soon will be our binding machine, waiting on that..patiently sort of.

If you're planning to do clothes you'll definately want a machine with zig-zag capability. All those fancy stitches that come on home machines are nifty & all, but an industrial zig-zag can adjust to 0 for a straight stich and between them it's everything you'd need for clothing/light accesories. Unless you get heavy in the clothes then you'll also want a serger/lockstich etc. There are a few home machines that have "walking foot" attachments, holds stuff down a lil better, but still let you use different stiches wihtout the attachment. They often break though.

Thing is, all the sweet machines that do many things are either expensive from hell or cheap and don't actually work. Adam's Sailrite is a nice rig (btw sweet new table Adam), but is best suited to what he uses it for, wouldn't do so well with lighter fabrics/clothing.

If you were going to invest in a machine that could do a lot, not break, & not break too much of your bank, I'd recommend a used Bernina like this one Older Bernina if you could find one in solid condition. That'd last you pretty much forever, and not at new Bernina prices. It's strong enough to do leather, denim, heavy bag materials etc and delicate enough for clothing. I'm not saying buy that one, be careful with used & refurbished, lotsa a-holes sell them.

A tough machine is important for us & these other guys here, but there is such a thing as overkill. I need my Juki, but then again, it will pick up a stitch though 45 layers of Cordura, or 35+ layers of 18oz vinyl, I make sample books with it occasionally. You might have trouble finding a practical application for that kind of power.