If you’re looking for a guide to buying a sewing machine for leather, then you have clicked on the right article. This article will help you choose the suitable sewing machine for leather. Let’s dive into it.
Before buying a sewing machine, you’ll have to consider these points, which are mentioned below:
- Budget
- Purpose of purchasing
- Types of sewing machines: Domestic/ Industrial
- Must have tools to sew leather
What is your budget?
The first thing to consider is how much you are willing to spend on purchasing a new sewing machine so that when you go for a purchase, you don’t overspend on it. If you are new to sewing, don’t go for a sewing machine with complex features that you will never use, which will be expensive; go for a simple one that will give you all the standard features of a sewing machine you can use at an affordable price.
However, a good sewing machine will last for years and save you time and money. Hence, always decide your budget to save on extra expenses.
If you are new to sewing, buying threads of different colors, extra needles, and other necessary things will also cost you a lot; make sure to have a budget before purchasing one.
Purpose of Purchasing The Sewing Machine
Your purpose will decide the type of machine to buy. According to time, different types of machines come with different complex features. If you are buying computerized machines, you need to be well-versed in technology because it can be tricky to use them.
If you are thinking of using your sewing machine for more than just sewing on leather, for example, for sewing a hat, a shoe, or a saddle, then consider that to consider while purchasing. Your purpose will also decide which or how complex a simple machine is good for you. If you don’t want to spend on features, you’ll never use, then go for a cheaper one.
Another thing to consider is choosing a user-friendly machine because no one wants to mess up and waste time reading the whole catalog on how to use it.
Leather Sewing Machine: Domestic/ Industrial
If you’ve been looking for a sewing machine for sewing leather, you have to choose what type of machinery to purchase, domestic or industrial. With the domestic sewing machine, you can only work on thin leather.
However, on the contrary, with the industrial sewing machine, you can work on thick leather, as the industrial machine consists of a servo motor and speed reducer, which is the main item in the industrial machine. Now, you are thinking, what is a servo motor and speed reducer for? The servo motor allows you to choose speed while the speed reducer maintains the degree of power, no matter how slow you sew.
What are the benefits of these?
They are essential because if you sew fast on leather, it will increase the chance of your piece of leather getting scratched, messed up, and becoming a total waste.
Another advantage of owning an industrial sewing machine is that it comes with metal accessories, while domestic sewing machines come with plastic, which gets destroyed easily. And it will give you a delightful experience, that you will sew more.
Domestic Sewing Machine
For those considering purchasing a domestic sewing machine, you will have to change its accessory, like different needles and threads, again and again, as leather is a thick fabric, making it challenging to handle compared to other fabrics.
With the tech upgradation, you can find plenty of domestic sewing machines in the market, which can be converted, and used to sew all types of fabrics. But honestly, I wouldn’t recommend this to purchase because the motor is not strong enough to sew leather for a long time. The motor will give up after some of the main fabric to sew is leather.
Tips on How to Sewing Leather on a Domestic Machine
. Leather is a very delicate material, which means if a stitch is made, there is no way back, so you have to stitch carefully without making mistakes. You can practice un-useful cloth to avoid mistakes.
. If you want to add quality to the item, trim off your thread once you are done with sewing, carefully burn the end, and press with your finger. Don’t worry. It won’t affect leather, and the stitches won’t get loose.
. Match the correct needle size, thread size, and suitable fabric to avoid getting the machine jammed.
. If you’re just a beginner, practice before mastering complex sewing parts.
. Make sure to clean thread and fabric debris from the sewing machine’s head and bobbin case areas to avoid getting jammed.
. Oil your machine often for smooth working.
Industrial Sewing Machine
Industrial sewing machines have been designed and manufactured with more care and features for continuous running with high performance and durability of different products. If you are looking for a sewing machine for leather, then an industrial machine would be a great choice. It also involves metal accessories that have enough power to handle and sew delicate fabrics like leather, compared to a domestic machine.
The most significant advantage of an industrial machine is that it runs at high speed, increasing productivity, especially for mass production. It also comes with advanced techno features, making work more accessible.
Advantages of Industrial Machines
Must have tools to sew Leather
These are the tools you will need for sewing leather if you are using a domestic machine.
Leather Thread
Please choose the right thread for sewing, as it will save you a lot of time and avoid breakages, giving your item a more beautiful and long-lasting look.
Walking Foot
You will need a walking foot, which allows you to sew without continuous slips. Otherwise, your project will mess up.
Powder
To avoid the chances of leather slipping, sew smoothly without having a problem.
Leather Sewing Needle
As we know that leather is thick, as compared to other fabrics. So, you’ll need a needle that suits leather sewing. The leather needle needs a specific kind of bottom point to stitch quickly. Make sure to have one or two spare needles because leather needles are unsharpened; they break easily.
Conclusion
Don’t get overwhelmed by seeing the complex features of sewing machines. If you don’t know how to sew, don’t worry, you will learn very quickly, and do regular practice on un-useful clothes. Consider every piece of information before finalizing any machine. You will surely get the perfect one. Let’s start creating something interesting with our sewing machine.
I love sewing, I am sewing for the last 15 years and started this blog with the help of my niece to spread sewing-related guides all over the world.
Sewing could be a full-time profession or hobby, and I wish to make a change by adding more people to the sewing world.
