Jump to content
CustomDoug

Double Line Of Stitching With A Single Needle

Recommended Posts

It seems there's a never ending list of reasons to want another machine. I've been kind of thinking about eventually getting a double needle machine... eventuallyrolleyes2.gif. I was wondering, are there any folks that regularly machine stitche double lines with a single needle machine ? I suppose if one did it enough you could become good at it. Are there any tricks to it? What are a good second hand (walking foot) double needle machine to keep an eye out for? ...and can all/most double needle machines be used with just one needle?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It seems there's a never ending list of reasons to want another machine. I've been kind of thinking about eventually getting a double needle machine... eventuallyrolleyes2.gif. I was wondering, are there any folks that regularly machine stitche double lines with a single needle machine ? I suppose if one did it enough you could become good at it. Are there any tricks to it? What are a good second hand (walking foot) double needle machine to keep an eye out for? ...and can all/most double needle machines be used with just one needle?

The old Singer 112 and 212 series are double needle, mostly walking foot machines. They are plentiful, well built and reasonably priced (~$500 - $750 head only). Pull out one needle and you have a single needle machine. You can remove either needle.

If you want something more modern, there are brand new twin needle machines from most of the top industrial sewing machine companies. Prices new range from just under $2000 to over $12000.

Why don't you call Bob Kovar, at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines: 866-362-7397, and ask what he has in stock for twin needle walking foot machines. He can set one up for you, with the needle spacing you desire, on a k-legs table, with a SewPro 500GR gear reduction servo motor.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wiz, that's good info right there! Yea so a double needle machine that can be run w/ one needle is going to be in my future. Unfortunately, the "eventually" parts is going to keep me from it for just a bit. In the mean time, I suppose I'll need to physically mark my leather for the second row, if doing something that calls for it. I'm sure I've seen the pen/markers that work with leathers and is erasable, but not sure where... anyone know what they're officially called, or a source off the top of your head?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wiz, that's good info right there! Yea so a double needle machine that can be run w/ one needle is going to be in my future. Unfortunately, the "eventually" parts is going to keep me from it for just a bit. In the mean time, I suppose I'll need to physically mark my leather for the second row, if doing something that calls for it. I'm sure I've seen the pen/markers that work with leathers and is erasable, but not sure where... anyone know what they're officially called, or a source off the top of your head?

For chrome tanned soft leathers, I use either a white or silver gel ink pen with a ball point, or a wing divider with sharpened points (to score the leather). A ruler, or curve template is used to one side of the desired line. I suppose that one could also snap a gel ink pen into a school protractor, in place of the pencil and use the pointed side as an edge guide.

For harder veg-tan leathers I prefer an adjustable distance edge gouger. Use it lightly to scribe the double lines, or cut actual channels for both stitch lines and follow the yellow brick road!

Start both stitch lines at the same point, feed them at the same rate of pull and speed and the stitches should pretty much line up. For more precision, sew the second line for short distances, then check the alignment and adjust it slightly, then continue another short distance. Nothing beats a twin needle machine for double row stitching.

Note; the old Singer twin needle machines will be limited to a maximum thread size of 138, as will many of the newer machines. Also, most of them lack a reverse lever.

Now, if you really want to sew some serious double, triple, quadruple, etc., lines of stitches, get a needle and awl Puritan machine! They are chain stitch machines, but sew perfectly aligned multiple rows, depending on how they were setup. A Puritan can sew with linen thread run through a waxpot, or use nylon or polyester thread. The needle and awl sizes are chosen for the thread size. A 180 or 190 needle is used to sew with #277 bonded nylon, or 4 cord linen thread, while a #200 handles #346/5 cord thread. Look at a golf bag or leather briefcase to see how well they stitch.

Edited by Wizcrafts

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...