Newbie Is An Understatement

[Jessi22]

Hi all,

I'm brand new to this community and the sewing world in general. I was inspired a few months ago to pick up this trade and have been trying to do some research online, on my own. Luckily, I came across LW.net!

I have a few extremely "newbie" questions. Forget all the other newbie posts you've read. This one will definitely win Newbie of the Year.

Here I go;

1. I've decided to skip the sewing courses and learn on my own. I haven't had much luck finding sewing courses offered in English in my area and absolutely no luck finding a sewing course showing how to sew with leather. I've thought about taking the sewing courses (offered in my second language) just to learn the basics of sewing and how a sewing machine works but all the ones I've found are to learn how to sew clothing, which I'm not interested in. To date, I've purchased a few classes on Craftsy, where a teacher shows you how to fabricate your targeted project. The videos are actually a lot better than what you'd think or expect. They're very informative and you really get to see how to do what you need to do. I've also been watching videos on YouTube and so on. Now..what do you think? I feel like this trade can easily be self-taught.

2. My project: I'll be recycling leather jackets into bags. The bag, however, will not just be made entirely of leather. I'll be incorporating other fabrics onto the bag as well, such as cotton, denim, and so on.

i) That being said, what tools are required for this type of project? Where do I start? (from the type of thread to use, to the type of needle, to ... everything else)

ii) I heard you can't use the same type of sewing machine to sew different types of leather projects. If this is true, what should I do in this case, seeing as I'm working with multiple types of materials?

3. The most important tool of all; the sewing machine. Do you have any specific brands/makes to recommend for this type of project?

Please be detailed with your responses. Do as if you're speaking/teaching a 10 year old .

Thank you all in advance!

Edited May 13, 2015 by Jessi22

[dirtclod]

I think the classes making clothes will help more than you think. You will get a chance to learn to sew plus learn different types of seams. Alot of things that you think woun't be of any use can easiley be adopted to leather. I always watch Project Runway show here in the States not because i want to make clothes but to see how other people do things and the tools they use like Vary Form Curves ( i would be lost without them, i've been using the curves for 10 or 15 years ) and any other tool that i can adapt to leather work.

The thread i would use is size 69 or 138 thread. I like polyester the best but also use nylon to. You maybe able to get away with using round point needles to sew you leather sense it's no to thick. Leather needles have a sharp cutting point. Tools a ruler, sissors, something to mark with, seam ripper and more that i can't think of right now.

A triple feed machine would be the best. Juki, Singer older ( black or gray industrail ) ones not the household machines, Consew, Paff and the Chinise knock offs. Call the sewing machine folks at the top of the pages they may have a used one if you don't want to buy new a machine. I look for a machine with at least 3/8 inch foot lift 1/2 would be better. Wiz have a sticky telling about the different types of machines in the sewing forum i think is where it is. Oh i would get servo motor if the machine doesn't come with one. The clutch motors take some time to learn how to use because their so fast. Maybe that helps a little.

Edited May 14, 2015 by dirtclod

[Norton Custom Leather]

if you are going to et into a machine call Springfield Leather Company in Springfield ,Mo. 800-668-8518. They can help with all the sewing stuff.

All of my sewing is done by hand.