Who would use a machine for sewing leather?

You could be looking for a sewing machine that sews leather if you are interested in starting leather projects either as part of a business or at home.

You might use a domestic or industrial leather sewing device if you are interested in making a leather bag, a purse, a jacket or a belt, or even working on a larger upholstery piece.

Can you use a normal sewing machine for leather?

Most household machines aren’t powerful enough to work with leather. This is often due to the thickness of the fabric. Using your usual appliance will result in a problem like broken needles and skipped stitches, and you might even damage your machine in the process.

Industrial sewing machines are the best option when it comes to leather. They are powerful and stable enough to get perfect lines and seams every time. But industrial machines are expensive, and it tends to be impractical to have one in your house. They are often quite big and bulky.

Heavy-duty domestic sewing machines are a good compromise. They have the power to take on thin and medium weight leathers, they are relatively compact, and they remain very affordable.

What features to look for when buying a  sewing leather machine

Before making your purchase, there are several features to look out for when comparing the different products that are available online and in stores:

Mechanical machines:

These are more or less “basic machines” that use knobs to adjust the settings. They tend to be simpler, most people use them when they first learn and they are often cheaper.

Computerized machines:

A leather stitch machine with automatic features like tension adjustment, a bobbin winder, and a thread cutter. Many can tell you the best stitch type and stitch speed for the task and monitor the needlework for precise results.

The presser foot:

This is the footplate that holds the material down on to the part which feeds it under the needle. Many brands offer multiple feet. There are feet for zippers, buttonholes, hems, or for particular materials.

Stitch length:

This is basically how long each stitch is sewn by your machine. Changing the stitch length adjusts the feed dogs, which controls how much cloth is pulled through with each stitch.

For a shorter stitch length, less cloth is pulled through. For a longer stitch, more material is pulled through. Older machines may have shorter stitch lengths so you should pay attention to the range when making your purchase.

Needles: 

Different sized needles are required depending on the weight of your fabric.

Leather needles tend to be sharper and can punch through materials of all types quite easily. When working with thicker pieces, it might be a good idea to use a cutting point needle.

Usually, a size 90/14 or 100/16 will be suitable.

Top drop-in bobbin:

In case of a top drop-in bobbin, you just need to drop the bobbin into the slot. Most of them even come with a transparent cover which lets you keep an eye on the thread supply. 

Table:

Some heavy leather sewing machines come with a work table. Generally, it has large amounts of space and a full set of tools.

What does the best leather sewing machine cost?

Prices for leather sewing machines depend on the brand. Most options cost between $200 and $500. Sewists can expect to spend over $100 for a self-assembled option.