I would really like a machine that would be ideal for sewing through leather..fairly heavy duty, at least a few layers at at time. Does any one know of a particular sewing machine or company that would fit the bill?

Nov 9, 2009, 01.10 AM by leeshv

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4 Posts

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    Nov 9, 2009, 07.47 AMby ghost

    Hello. I do quite a bit of work with leather & leather-like fabrics. I use a singer 99k circa 1957. It can sew through as many as 4 layers of garment weight leather. I might not want to sew a shoe sole with it, but for wallets, purses, belts, and that type of thing it works well. like machines that are from the mid seventies and earlier, with an all metal body, and few bells & whistles. They will show up periodicly at thrift shops/yardsales, and can sometimes be gotten for as little as $15. When they are that cheap, I don’t mind spending a little to take them in for an initial cleaning and service. A nice feature on the singer 99k is that it can sew continuously in reverse – great if you need both hands for a tricky corner. And it is far prettier than today’s machines.

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      Nov 9, 2009, 08.53 AMby katexxxxxx

      Depends on the age of the 99K… Mine has a body from 1948 that doesn’t do reverse.

      But yes, unless you want to go for something new and dedicated to leather (and therefore expensive and massive!), go for the 99, a slightly larger 66, a Bernina 707 (where are you – I have a spare one of those!), or something similar.

      Buy leather sewing needles for it. remember, it IS a domestic machine and will not do production levels of work for long. For that you will need an industrial type of machine set up for the work you want to do.

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    Nov 9, 2009, 01.06 PMby leeshv

    Thanks for the input. I think I know where I can find one of these machines (Dad’s basement). It will need a cleaning, but It will probably work. Thanks again.

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      Nov 9, 2009, 01.47 PMby katexxxxxx

      I love restoring old sewing machines to working order. If it’s stuck or you need help and advice to get it going, just holler. What I don’t know about doing this could fill several large volumes, but I have a lead on some very experienced folk who are always more than willing to offer friendly advice, and who pack a combined experience of several hundred years and several thousand restoration projects. :)

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    Nov 12, 2009, 10.36 AMby irmchen

    Hi leeshv, may be your question is already answered?! My english ist soooo bad that I don’t understand all of this topic. But… I want to say that I bougt my sewing machine at ebay (c.a. 150 $), it is an old Pfaff 521. It is a very simple oldl machine but it is motor is powerful and you can sew leather very well with it.

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      Nov 12, 2009, 01.07 PMby leeshv

      Hello, Your English is great, I understand everything you say! I found an old singer sewing machine at my dad’s house, so I think I’ll use that. I think it is from the 1950’s.

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    Nov 12, 2009, 01.20 PMby irmchen

    How lucky! I wish you happy leather sewing… and want to see pics. ;)

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