Developing engaging hobbies can be challenging at times, but everything becomes easy and doable once things are sorted. Sewing clothes is women’s most desirable hobby, especially for stay-at-home workers.
With this comes the hassle of allocating different techniques for different fabrics. Have you ever tried sewing leather with a sewing machine and failed miserably? We’ve got you covered with this article dedicated to answering how to sew leather with a sewing machine.
By the end of the article, you will be capable of making customized leather pants, hats, and several other accessories.
You don’t have to invest in a particular leather sewing machine. A high-quality home sewing machine should be able to handle leather stitching. These tips will work best with thick leather used for shoelaces and other accessories.
5 Easy Tips On Using A Sewing Machine To Sew Leather
Read these 5 easy tips to learn how to sew leather with a sewing machine.
Use a Teflon Foot
The Teflon foot is a tool of choice for all leather sewing professionals when it comes to leather sewing. Using Teflon will make it far easier to sew leather. The non-stick underside of the Teflon foot has a slick surface that allows trouble-free glide on tricky fabrics. Additionally, it may reduce the risk of crippling.
If you don’t own a Teflon foot, you can make a standard foot sticky by inserting scotch tape under it.
Mindful Of Seam Allowance
When sewing a leather piece, be mindful of your seam to ensure seamless stitching. Let’s say you have layers and layers to sew; that would be too much for a regular sewing machine. It is mandatory for patterns with multiple layers to have an industrial sewing machine.
Planning is the key! Why is it important to be mindful of seams? Leather is a delicate fabric. A single mistake can lead to impressions on leather that will look bland and can’t be undone.
Using Sharp Tools To Cut Leather
When cutting the leather, you must use sharp tools. You can also cut the fabric with a rotary cutter or shears to avoid tearing the leather. Even a sharp knife can be used to cut thin leather.
The cut with a rotary cutter is obvious and leaves no chance of a mistake for straight cuts. However, if you need to cut curves, corners, or complex designs, you have to use shears – preferably with a blunt tip to avoid scratching the leather.
Using The Right Thread And Needle
You are wrong if you think you can stitch a leather piece with a regular thread. Never use a standard thread to sew leather. Polyester or nylon thread are recommended for sewing leather.
Additionally, you may want to use heavy-duty thread to hold heavy fabrics together. It is thicker and tougher than Polyester or nylon thread, and the leather looks satisfying.
It is recommended to get a brand new needle to sew leather, and it must be a triangular one. A triangular machine tip is better for thicker leather layers.
Using Binder Clips
Do not use sewing pins when sewing leather fabric. Binder/Sewing clips are preferable to pins because pins show and leave marks on leather when sewn.
Also, sewing clips or a binder can come in handy when sewing leather in your own home. Avoid puncturing leather with a needle, leaving a permanent hole.
Wrapping Up
It is no rocket science to sew leather – just mindful sewing. Sewing leather is a skill you’ll need to master if you want to turn your project into a work of art. It’s possible to give any clothing a high-fashion look by polishing it. Leather goods can be sold to recoup some of the costs you’ve incurred.
Make sewing patterns, flatten the leather, use appropriate needles, choose nylon or polyester thread, use a blending fabric, and make sure your needle is sharp before you begin sewing.
