taliah

I posted here a long while back about what kind of leather sewing machine I should buy as a new leather worker working in mostly upholstery leather, but wanting to up the game to do thicker leather work. I received great responses - and wrote a grant for an artists grant here in Indiana to try and get the money to buy the machine. (Chandler 406 RB ) The jury is still out and won't grant money until late July. Which, is soon, but. I now have the opportunity to purchase a Brother DB2-B714-3 Industrial Sewing machine from a friend who's moving across the country - for $450. I'm heading over to try it out and see what I think, but I wanted to see what others might think of this machine. I can't seem to find any reviews of the machine itself - though I've just started looking because she just facebook messaged me and it kind of has to happen really quickly. They're moving next week, so the machine would be mine now...so I have to make a decision. Any advice, thoughts? (photo attached)

Thanks!! I'll try it out! I have some plain veg tanned, but it's super thick, so I'm hoping to get my hands on something thinner. Does such a thing exist with veg tanned leather? I suppose it does, I'll just have to look. Thanks so much!

I work with primarily scrap upholstery leather that is generally 1 or 2 oz. It's always colored and treated. What I want to do is do a 'leaf rubbing' on a piece of leather - not a carving, but somehow just get the stain of the leaf/shape from either hammering it into the leather with a rubber mallet and light cloth or some other way unknown to me. I know I can't do this with the leather I currently use - but am unsure what i could use. I'd rather not use a thick tooling leather, but if that's all that would work then I'll do it. Does this many sense to anyone at all? Anyone know how to do it or what type of leather I should use? Thanks! talia

Thank you so much for your quick responses!!! Such a great help you are! I was lost in a sea of possibilities (kinda like Starbucks) and now I have an idea! Thanks!

Hi there. I've been reading through a lot of the forums discussing various machines and what they're used for . . . and to be honest (and perfectly blunt) I'm so NEW to leather working (and sewing) most of it is just Greek to me. Can you help? I'm very eager to learn. Here's my story: I make leather book covers and simple leather bags from scrap upholstery leather. Totally self-taught. I use a home machine (Brother SE 400) which has served me well for the past 5 or so years. Recently I've begun creating flat-bottom bags that require my machine to sew through about 4 layers of thin leather . . . and my machine is none too happy. I'd also like to branch out and start to use thicker leathers, but that's never been an option with this machine. I'd also like to sew zippers without the fear of dying..but I'm not sure that will ever happen. What I'm looking for: I have about $1,200 to spend (including shipping, handling and all additional things). I'm looking for a new machine. Maybe a 'starter' machine. That's easy to use/learn for a newbie. That will sew thin upholstery leather (let's say four layers of 1.1mm) but also give me the chance to try something thicker for strapping or wallets. Does this exist? Brand names you trust? Where do you buy them? Online? How much does shipping usually run for these large heavy machines? (All the technical talk of bobbin and thread size have my brain wobbling around in my head - I know I need a walking foot machine, but that's really all I know.) Your help is so much appreciated. Thanks! talia