withsilverbells

Hi Ferg, It turns out I was sewing thick fabric and not leather at the time, but as a matter of fact I didn't realize that would be the wrong needle for leather. What range of needle sizes do you recommend for leather? I have a set of DP 135/17 needles the former owner sent with the machine, and also a set of DP 135/16 needles which were recommended for leather by the original salesman for the machine (his local company name and number were on the machine, so I payed a visit). I appreciate your help. - Mary

I am using a Consew 206RB-5, 135x17 DP needles, and #69 nylon thread. The needle or the machine seems to be slightly shredding the thread, until only a few strands remain taught as it sews and the other strands curl up the length a ways and bunch together. I was sewing something much thinner than usual at the time. I tried adjusting the needle... I am still new at all this, but it seems that how high the needle is screwed in makes a difference, and also whether the needle is rotated correctly. So I have tried to adjust those things. It did not work, but I may not have adjusted the right way... How do I solve this? Thanks in advance!

Thanks to all the help from my leatherworking community, we got it fixed! I tried several of the suggestions, and I am not sure exactly what did it but I think the problem may have been bobbin related. I recently got my machine, and haven't been able to do any work on it because of this problem that I didn't know how to fix. So because of all your help, here is my very first machine-stitched leather craft!! (Sorry for the photobooth photos!) I am still using a pulley that's too big, and as a result of that reduced control I had to do some after-the-fact trimming. Otherwise I think it turned out OK. I have been using it all morning on my errands. MANY THANKS to you all!!

Thank you all so much!! I can't wait to tinker around when I get home. Y'all are the best!! I'll let you know what happens!

My name is Mary and I am very new to the leatherworking world. Before I owned a home sewing machine I would handsew anything I had the idea for, from purses to dresses. Once I got my lovely antique sewing machine, I felt like I could do anything. But I have always wanted to work with leather, and when I realized that home machine wouldn't have the punch to put one hole in leather, I started making other plans. Now I am the proud owner of a Consew 206RB-5. At the time of this posting I am trying to figure out how to fix the stitching, since I don't yet know anything about troubleshooting these machines. In the meanwhile I have been using a high-powered hole-punch to make thong wrap-around stitches. I live in Nashville, Tennessee, and this Fall I will begin graduate studies in speech-language pathology. I am hoping that my leather crafting can contribute to my living costs during that time, but mostly I just would love to learn the craft better so that I can enjoy it all my life.

I am hoping that I can get some advice and suggestions on what to try to correct the stitching on my machine. I am a total greenhorn and all I know for sure is that the stitches on the bottom are loose and tangly, while the stitches on top are neat and even. I am using a Consew 206RB-5. What can I adjust or do that might fix this problem? This is what the bottom stitching looks like

So today I discovered that I am going to need a new way to bring in money. I bought my machine in the hopes that I could learn to use it over the summer and stockpile a few things to sell in the fall when I start grad school. I wish I could just start sewing like crazy, but unfortunately my machine is still not quite in working order. With school and work pulling me different directions, I have had little time for anything else. Now, with my work situation changing, I have even less money available to get it worked on. Wish me luck!

Well, this morning I know I did everything right. And yet, the problem persists. I do not have the money to take my machine to a shop right now. I am filled with remorse for my suspicions of those nice folk I talked to yesterday. They were probably just trying to scare me off of meddling with an expensive piece of machinery that I could break. The evidence of my overconfidence is here attached. This is the underside of my work.

I bought a used Consew 206RB-5 about three weeks ago. It is my first leather sewing machine, and I know just enough to know that I need to know a lot more. Thanks to the forums here, once I got some thread I was prepared to be unhorsed by the speed of the machine on my first attempted project. I believe the current pulley is 3". However, I discovered there is also some problem with the lower thread. The stitches were loose and got tangled. I don't know if it's a knob I should adjust for the tension, or if the bobbin wound too slack (it looked like it but I wasn't sure how it should be, or how to change it). I don't even know where to start on that problem. This morning, though, I'm going to the local business that sold the machine originally, to get a 2" pulley. From what I have read, my understanding is that 2" affords good control; however, the proprietor of the business suggested on the phone that they could get me and even smaller pulley. I'm not sure what to think of that! Unless he talks me into smaller, I'm going for the 2". Suggestions, thoughts, and words of wisdom are very welcome! Wish me luck -

Thank you so much for your informative posts! I am new to this site and to the world of leather crafting, just beginning to shop for a leather-working machine. The information you've shared here is invaluable! Thank you for sharing your time and wisdom. - Mary