How To Set Up Your Domestic Machine For Sewing Leather
Vložit
- čas přidán 23. 03. 2022
- ✰ Hey everyone, Bex here!
✰ Today I'm going to be showing you how to set up your domestic sewing machine for sewing leather, along with all the tips and tricks I've learnt over my career in leatherwork and handbag making.
Getting started in sewing leather can be quite intimidating, and having your machine set up correctly will give you the best head start to your journey. In this video I will go over all the ins and outs of what equipment and settings you will need, and then bring it all together with a little practice session at the end!
And there we go, you are now ready to dive into your first project!
Below are some extra resources and information about everything I've shown you in the video, including where to source anything you still need:
Sewing machine - The machine needs to be heavy duty to plough through thicker materials. If you are looking to buy a new sewing machine I highly recommend the heavy duty Janome 2200 from Tysew Ltd. The machine has a sufficient weight which is great when working with leather and upholstery materials. Additionally you can adjust the pressure gage, helping you to avoid any skipped stitches when sewing through thick layers.
Teflon foot - The teflon allows the foot to glide over the leather unlike a metal sewing machine foot which can create resistance. amzn.to/3hMJEK0
Leather point needle - A leather point needle differs from your standard domestic machine needle due to its knife edge, which slashes through the leather and creates a regular stitch. I recommend using a Schmetz needle size 120/19. Visit Our Store
Thread - I highly recommed using a polyester thread, as it will never perish and your bag will stay together forever! Gutermann is an excellent brand and will work amazingly with your domestic machine.
For even more handy tips and useful tools, check out our Essentials for Sewing Leather How-To. Make sure to subscribe to our channel for even more videos!
Thank you for watching, and happy sewing!
Bex xxx
Share you creations on social with #rjleatherstudio - Jak na to + styl
So many gimmicky videos on CZcams but, in this one you get straight to the point with specifics to make practical changes with brand recommendations. Appreciate the time you took to compile the responses people actually need to sew leather successfully.
I am so glad you liked the video. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch. Have a good day. Bex xx
Really good video. Thank you! I'm about to make a motorcycle seat cover from salvaged panels off of a leather sofa... this is just the instruction i needed.
I would like to see it
Thank you for those tips. New to sewing on leather. Been sewing 55 years and am anxious and excited to start something new. First project- simple tote. Again, thanks!
Good luck! We also sell handbag making patterns and kits on our website. www.rebecca-jane.com
In my opinion, I do NOT recommend Back / Reverse stitching when sewing leather unlike sewing fabric as when back stitching, the direction might not be the same ( diverted ) as forward stitching, thus making / leaving unnecessary needle holes on the leather which will stay permanently on the leather ! ( If you watch CZcams videos by professionals or leather garment manufacturers, they NEVER do Back stitching ). After finish stitching, tie the threads at both ends and seal / secure them with a lighter. Moreover, it is a very detail & tutorial video ... Thanks for sharing !
Yes great recommendation. I also do a similar thing when topstitching. I pivot wit the needle in the leather and go back on myself in a forward direction rather than backwards then pull the threads through, triple knot and copydex glue the. I do however back tac on the underside of the leather! I have worked for manufacturers and fashion designers and have found that everyone has different techniques!
Instead of using Copydex glue, but I prefer to use Double side tape as it is more convenient especially when I need to do a French seam especially for upholstery or carrying bags or other durable items etc ...
That’s true, they do tie the ends when sewing bags, but I have to commend her tips, she got everything else right & I haven’t heard anyone else mention the paper trick, so I learned something new. Using double sided tape is great too, it’s cleaner and u can sew thru it, it’s strong & keep everything neatly together
You can also use a roller foot.
Thank you for a wonderful tutorial ❤. Even togh I'm a vegan 😮, it's often same struggle to sew in canvas or jeans. My grandfather was a shoemaker, so I have seen all the old machines and tools and he worked with. A good craftsmanship is a blessing, whatever material you using. Love from Stockholm ❄
Yes you are so correct. The craftsmanship of making long lasting products is what is going to save our planet. Everyone should respect hand made products and appreciate the time that goes into making them. Have a great week. Thanks for your comments. Xx
Great demo!
Thank you for this info, I’ll definitely take a look
Superb video! Thank you for providing such useful techniques.
My pleasure. I'm glad it is useful ❤
Thank you for this most informative video. I feel confident to make my first all leather project having seen all your tips.
You are more than welcome. I am happy it has given you confidece. If you needed any further help I also sell leather handbag templates, kits and have online courses. www.rebecca-jane.com. Happy making. Bex xxx
Thank you for the helpful tips and very laid out tutorial
You are more than welcome xxx
Awesome video. Thank you.
I am glad you liked it!
Very good videos. Extremely helpful. Thank you.
Hi Tina. I'm happy to hear you found it helpful. We have a free online course available on our website if you want to see further techniques. Have a good day. Rebecca xx www.rebecca-jane.com
www.rebecca-jane.com/blogs/free-online-bag-making-course-upcycled-tote-bag-1
Thank you so much.
Excellent..thx so much!
You're welcome! Thanks for watching
Thanks for this tutorial, very helpful, glad to hear about the thread, that's what I was wondering about, I'm in Australia and we have Guttermann thread here, so good to know, and great to see a Janome machine, I have one as well, different model though. Also handy to know about the foot pressure, but wondering what you do with the tension, do you increase or lower? Thanks once again 🌻💜
Hi Kathy. Thanks so much for your comment. I am really happy to hear that you found the video useful. Janome are a great brand of machine. Tension should be adjuster more for the thread itself rather than the leather. I normally test sewing on a a double layer of scrap leather first then look at the stitch, I adjust the tension based on what the sample looks like. Thanks. Rebecca x
Very helpful
I am glad it helped. 🙂
I can’t wait to make a nice leather pencil skirt with these awesome tips. I never knew a domestic machine could see handle leather (with a few small adjustments). Thanks so much, these tips are professional and the same techniques Atelier’s use, so you certainly know you’re subject.
Your are more than welcome. Please do send me pics of your garments I'd love to see them. Also feel free to get in contact if you have any questions as I studied garment design and construction at university. Thanks for your comments. Xx info@rjleatherstudio.com
Oh sure! thank you for the encouragement. I've ordered leather from abroad, so it's taking a while. I'll definitely send some pics, and let know how it turns out. 😊
Hi l have brother gs 2700.Can I stitch rexine bags on that by changing foot and needle ?pl.reply
You're looping the thread while the foot is up? I was advised to do it with the foot down otherwise it would break (the thread). Does it have to do with the brand of the machine?
Hi Yamilet. Thanks for your comment. I have always been taught to do it with the machine foot up, for the domestic and industrials sewing machines. It so interesting how Manu different techniques people have for sewing. I have never found that it breaks the thread. However both ways works perfectly well. Have a good day. Rebecca x
Can you link the best thread by Gutterman? Thanks
Hi Debi. Where are you based? I will see what I can find based from your country. Thanks. Rebecca x
Where do you set your tension? I’m using a Husqvarna 165 Husky. Any recommendations?
Hey. Different machines have tension that vary from machine to machine. Most machines have a front facing dial that the thread feeds through. You can turn the knob to adjust the tension. There is also tension adjustments on a bobbin case. I've found the manual for your specific machine. Here: www.manuals.co.uk/husqvarna/husky-165/manual?p=5 I hope that helps. Feel free to ask any further questions. Thanks. Bex
@@rjleatherstudio1368that was very thoughtful of you ❤
And if your machine wont do any stitching ? No problem with fabrick but it wont stich the thin chrome tan leather .
Hi. Sorry to hear your machine doesn't like the leather. I'm afraid not every machine does. I always recommend trying out a scrap of leather first to see if your particular machine likes it. Maybe try looking out for a second hand older machine at jumble sale or on eBay? Thanks. Bex xx
hello Rebecca just do the best you can when you film how to operate the sewing machine electric foot pedal please OK?thank you very much
hello very beautiful videos please kindly film how to operate the sewing machine electric foot pedal how its used to sew please OK?please kindly let me know OK?thank you very much
Hey. Thanks for your comments. I could try to film of the pedal. Do you mean how much pressure I put on the pedal? Thanks. Rebecca
ok
Or you can put a peace of scotch tape under the feet surface.
Never iron leather. The heat dries the leather out and weakens it, more prone to ripping. Use fabric tape on the seam allowance to prevent stretching
I’ve seen Professional bag makers use a heat machine to cut and seal the interfacing to leather, I’ve also seen arteliers’ glue interfacing, without heat.
Yes you are correct @kyliewalker6647 . Garment leather which tends to be lamb napper is very fragile. You can still iron the back of the leather but never the surface with a low heat on your iron as it can shrink the leather. Most garment construction uses tape in the seams to avoid the seam ripping or distorting over time. However, in bag making we always use iron on interfacing to stabilise the body of the bag, all high end leather accessories designers use this method as it is required for a professional finish. Most bags are made from cow hides as they are more robust for accessories and can take a hot iron from the underside never the surface. Thanks. Bex xx
Be aware that the acid in real leather will eat through that bobbin thread after a few years.