I'm really hoping you experts can offer your insight. The last industrial sewing machine store in MN closed about 1 1/2 years ago and we have nowhere to physically go for these questions. Ibuying something online without knowing about I"m talking about just seems not-smart.
I am a bag maker. However, I do fabric bags not leather. I have dabbled in lightweight suede as accents on my bags, but don't anticipate graduating to the heavier, stiffer leather. I very much love the many different patterns and colors that quilting cotton and duck canvas offers. If I go heavier, it will be no thicker than 10oz waxed canvas.
With all that said, I do need a heavy duty machine, as my regular sewing machine (Baby Lock) will not sew through the many layers of fabric, stabilizer and foam interfacing that i use to construct my bags. I want a cylinder arm machine. The reason for this is because it will make those final finishing stitches much easier, but I can also use it like a flatbed during the construction process.
A friend is a leather worker. He makes everything from saddles to bags using some really thick leather and waxed canvas. I was fortunate enough to to use his Juki LU-1508NH. I LOVED IT. It sewed through my bag seams like a hot knife through butter.
What I"m looking for is the same outcome but in a walking foot cylinder machine. It doesn't need to sew really thick, stiff leather. I need it so sew through about 1/2" foam and fabric.
However, there is SO MANY different types of cylinder machines, and so many other thread weights and fabric weights that I"m not familiar with (since i work with quilting cotton and duck canvas). Bottom line....I'm lost. Can anyone help me translate the Juki LU-1508NH into an appropriate cylinder machine? I would like to be able to use size 14, 16, 18 non-leather needles.
Any insight would be very much appreciated.
