Helpful Pointers on How to Use a Leather Sewing Machine and Sew Pieces of Leather Together

By Alice Bateman


Leather jackets and vests are glamorous and trendy; but such garments can be very expensive. So if you want to save money and still be in style, you can sew your own clothes instead. However, leather can be quite difficult to sew; even experienced sewers sometimes encounter difficulties when sewing leather especially if the needle or sewing machine is not suitable for this material. If you plan to sew leather, you need a leather sewing machine.

Leather is a heavy, thick, and tough material that is why you need to have a special sewing machine. Regular sewing machines with regular needles might not work because the needles are not suited for such type of material. The needles may only break because they are not thick enough. Similarly, if the type of needle used for sewing leather is wrong, the leather may tear apart. Needles that are very sharp are necessary if you want to pierce leather quickly and easily.

A leather sewing machine can sew lightweight and midweight leather. It makes use of polyester thread instead of cotton thread because cotton thread is not strong enough to hold leather pieces together. Polyester thread is stronger and more durable. Also, you should know that two-sided leather tapes are necessary for sewing leather. You should realize that you cannot pin patterns to leather pieces or baste steams without marking or leaving holes in the leather. So, if you do not want to damage the material, you should use a two-sided leather tape.

Nevertheless, you should also get a rotary cutter. This cutter is especially designed to cut thick and tough materials like leather. It has a circular blade that makes cutting leather easier, faster, and smoother. With ordinary scissors, you can damage the leather; but with a rotary cutter, you can ensure no rough and unsightly edges. So, aside from threads and two-sided leather tapes, you should also consider the kind of scissors that you need to use.

If you wish to cut straight angular lines, you should get a large rotary cutter; and if you wish to cut curves, you should get a smaller rotary cutter. Nonetheless, you may also use a pair of leather shears as well as a scalpel, a razor, blade, or a pair of heavy duty scissors. Be careful when cutting leather. Also, see to it that you use the sewing machine properly. A leather sewing machine is not difficult to operate, so you should be just fine.

You also need to have a special presser foot, of course. A leather presser foot that can secure the leather as you sew is necessary if you do not want to scrape the leather. If you cannot find a leather presser foot, you can use a Teflon-coated presser foot or a walking presser foot instead. They will let you have a great-looking output, as well. A regular presser foot is not ideal to be used because it may scrape or stick to the leather.

Sewing leather can be difficult and time-consuming; but with a leather sewing machine, your task can be lighter and quicker to finish. There are different types of leather skins, the most common ones being cowskin, pigskin, snakeskin, and lambskin. If you are patient and hard-working, you will be able to come up with a beautiful masterpiece that you can wear daily or on special days.




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