Divafnk

Ok, yes. Thanks again.

Is there a range of needle sizes that this machine can handle? Smallest to largest? Thank you!

Thank so much for your help! I really appreciate it and it's really helped demystify the needles for me

Oh thank you very much for the explanations, that makes more sense to me now. Te machine came with 125/20 and 110/18. I currently have size 69 thread. At the moment, I've been making anything from leather armor, to briefcases and am getting into garments now as well (like skirts).

Hmm.. Maybe it seems more approachable to me than even trying to figure out what a larger sized needle is. I am still very confused on this. I don't know what range of sizes my machine can even handle. It's a Cowboy 227R. I still don't understand what the two numbers in a needle size mean, at all. I don't mean to be thick...

Thanks for that link! Something that confuses me is the way the needle sizes are written. "12/80". What does the 12 mean, and what does the 80 mean?

I've thought about that as well. I've read several articles on the needle sizing numbers and still can't figure out what the two numbers mean at all.

I'm currently taking a fabric sewing class that shows that one can double thread a needle (with two spools of thread-two strands of thread going through the needle) to get a thicker looking stitch. I'm assuming that since this can be done on your regular fabric sewing machines that I can also do this on my Cowboy? Does anyone know either way? Thanks in advance!

Thank you so much. I will go check for that!

Does anyone know how to tighten the lower, shorter belt on the 227R without tightening the upper belt at the same time? My machine is slipping and won't sew when I hit harder leather/thicker leather at slow speeds and I have to torn the wheel by hand. Any help would be appreciated!!

It's the CB-227R.

Aha. Ok, thank you. I'm assuming that's the type of needle that came installed as well.

I have a Cowboy industrial sewing machine that came with the needle installed and whatever would be standard thread for sewing leather (sorry, I'm not real versed on the needles and thread stuff). I'd like to sew myself a kilt out of heavy duck fabric and wanted to know if I can just use the needle and thread I'd normally use for leather? The kilt involves sewing through several layers as it has lots of pleats. I don't have a fabric sewing machine and have never changed needles on this one. Thanks in advance. (I believe I have 125/20 needle in the machine right now)

Hey BHP- I was kind of in your shoes about a month or two ago. Never sewn before, got a VERY quick lesson from a friend then got a Cowboy. I was ALL kinds of confused. This video helped immensely: It does get better. Try to refrain from changing anything but the longer tension knob... I changed all kinds of things because frankly the instructions sucked. Now I can pretty much rethread, sew, pick up the bobbin thread, no problem. I'm not on here a lot, but will add a subscription to this thread, so ask away!!