blackrosedie

Thanks everyone! This is really helpful information. This particular hide is so shaggy I think I will have to shave the seams at least a bit as the hair is so long. I want to lace it together with a double loop but I think the hair would be all caught up in the lacing if I didn't trim it a little bit. Inlays sound really interesting I want to find some more information about them too. I love the natural stones inlayed on the front flap of a bag. Why is none of this in all the leather craft books I have! Boo. Thanks again!

Hi again, I hope everyone is keeping well. I have brought some cow hides with the hair still on them and I am struggling to find any information in books or on the internet about hand sewing the fur. I want to make a rustic satchel bag with hand sewn seams. What is the correct way to prepare the seams for sewing. Do I need to shave the hair off to make a seam allowance? If so what is the best tool/technique to use to do this? I assume I don't just punch the holes over the hair, as once sewn the hair will poke through the laced seams? I really want to work this out so I can use up all these possum and cow hides I have sitting in my studio. Thanks so much for your time.

Ok great! thanks for passing than information on.

Hi again, I can't seem to find a website or an email to contact Toledo industrial sewing machines . Do you think I would be able to get some sort of speed reducer in New Zealand or is this something I am going to need to import? I am going to pass all this information onto someone more technically minded than myself.

Thanks for the information Jimbob. I will let you all know how it goes!

Ok cool, because I am just worried that it is not intended for sewing because on the internet it mentions it being used for binding. I did some sewing on it. It went through what I needed it too.

I am confused. It is not an Adler, it is a pfaff and when I looked under the table the motor attached to it said Singer. The Pfaff's barcode plate reads 335-h2-17/01 and I am trying to determine if it is actually a leather sewing machine or a binding machine or if it is a leather sewing machine, it just has a binding attachment. Argh. I am sorry but I am not good with this kind of stuff. I will just cry if it is not what I need.

I am a little worried that I have got the wrong machine. Maybe it is an industrial binding machine? The model number is 335-h2-17/01. I can't find much basic information. Arggghhh

Aw thanks dirt clod - I just hope I don't sew through my fingers or something terrible. That machine is a beast!

Hi James, Yep I ended up getting the Pfaff, the Adler was out of my price range. When I went to view the machine I saw it had a singer motor in it, I guess its being tinkered with. Do you think it will be suitable for me needs? Thanks : )

Hi everyone, Thanks for all your advice. I got a machine last night, I hope it is going to do what I need it too. So scary sewing on it! I have not used an industrial machine for a long time. It is quite beat up and has a singer motor in it but I got it at a bargain price. It looks like I might also being given a flat bed industrial machine too which will be great. I included some pictures.

Thanks for your help. Yay ordered. Hopefully they come fast!

Hi there, I need some of those kind of stud post type things that go on the corners of the base of a bag to help prevent wear and keep it standing upright. I can't figure out what they are called and I really need to buy some. Is anyone able to help me? Thanks : )

Hi there, I am looking at buying a long armed leather sewing machine with the brand name Unicorn. The machines are made in Korea. I can't find much about then on the internet or the forum, but I was wondering if anyone has any experiences using this brand that they would like to share. Thanks

Hi all, Thanks so much for taking the time to advise me. My dad has a friend who did upholstery leather work and he is keen to sell me his machine. It is a long arm unicorn. I can't find a whole heap about them online, it is a Korean brand. He has given me the name of the rep in NZ who does servicing and stuff so I can talk to him. Il go check out the machine early next week and have a go. He also said alternatively if I want I can just out source my sewing needs to his wife who used the machine to sew bags. I don't think that is the way to go though. Skald I love trusty saddle stitch and stuff and still plan to do some hand finishing on the bags but I just can't meet demand for stores wanting multiples etc.

Hi there, I am looking to make contact with any other people working with leather that are based in New Zealand - especially in the North Island!

Do you know what the difference is between the Adler 105 and a cylinder arm walking foot? Also how much is reasonable to pay for a suitable machine second hand do you think?

Thanks DirtClod, that is really good to know. I am so glad I decided to double check on getting the singer.

Hi everyone! I have been teaching myself leather craft and I hand make my own bags under my brand Black.Rose.Die. Up until now I have been stitching, binding and lacing them all myself and while I love making bags using this traditional methods, it is sadly not economically viable. I need to make my production faster and lower my costs and that means getting a sewing machine. The problem I have is I have noooo idea what type of machine I need to get. I want a good all rounder that will sew a variety of weights of leather but maybe on with a cylinder arm so I can get into all those awkward places and do top stitching etc. I am wondering if you have any suggestions for the type of machine I should look for. I was told an Singer K 29 would meet my needs but someone else told me that is used for patching shoes and what I need is a flat bed or cylinder arm machine. Arghhh so stressful as I need to find something second hand and I need it fast as I am losing out on potential clients etc with such slow production. I am also located in New Zealand which puts some limits on sourcing a machine. You can see the type of things I have been making on my blog here but I really want a machine that will allow me to work with a range of weights. Any help would be really really really appreciated as I am tearing my hair out right now! Thanks, Kimberley P.S I am sorry I have put this in the wrong thread. I see there is a specific thread for sewing machines...I can't seem to figure out how to delete or move this to the appropriate place. Sorry!