Leila

Hello, I make purses out of 5.5oz 1/8" thick cow hide. I don't line them and need to know the best product(s) to seal the inside or back of the hide. Matte finish that is mostly obsorbed and flexible. Wax? Oil? Would love any feedback or tips. Thanks!!!

Hello again, Well I have been sewing away on my singer 281, it is a good machine, but I now need to sew thicker leather and want to invest in a walking foot, but have no idea where to start. My singer skips stitches and shreds the thread when I try and go through any more than 3 layers of the medium weight cow hide that I have been using, and I need to be able to sew through up to 5 preferably. I also need it to handle a thicker harder strap leather but without eating up the softer stuff. If I could get pointed in the right direction I would be most appreciative. Thank You, Leila

Thanks Eric! You were right I just needed to run it more and at faster rpms. I love this machine, as you said its a great starter machine, and really cant be beat for the price! I just have one other question right now, what are the best brand\size needles for leather on this machine? And do you know of a good online retailer I can purchase them from? There is sooo much out there, and when Ive gone to a couple shops in town they wanted me to by a giant amount. Thanks! L

Hello again, I found one! I found aN OLD SINGER 281-22 needle feed with motor and table delivered $400. It sounds great runs great, the only concern I have right now is the lubrication into the head. The dealer I bought it from said I would not need to put oil in the pan for a few weeks because he had lubricated the head. So I waited until I could make it to the store and bought oil and put it into the pan. The problem is in the oil window on the head, its not dripping. My question is if the head is lubricated by the dealer, does it not need the oil right away and therefor not draw it up into the head? Or should it be dripping right away and this is a sign that its not working properly? Or does it solely have to do with the speed that I am running the motor? All my best, Leila

Thanks! I am looking at the 281-22's online now, and thats about what they run. And I agree, I should be able to find one down here, I just have to dig, and figure out who to talk to. If I do find one, and it needs a new motor, which one would you suggest as a good match? And yes they are a bit messy, but I have a great garage with lots of natural light where I plan to set it up:)

Thank you Eric, much appreciated, it seams in general the older industrial machines were just built better, not a huge surprise:) So I am leaning in that direction, Im going to do more research now for the 60's singer. If you guys know of any other older machines that have a good rep that fit my needs Im all ears, just to have more options. Thx

Thank You! I looked into a Juki DLN-5410N single needle, needle feed machine, new it runs around $2000. Hoping I can find some used models. I live in Los Angeles so I feel like there should be some options out there for me. The leather I'm using is about 1/16" thick single layer, so 1/4" thick should be about the thickest I would need to go, so it sounds like the Juki needle feed machine could work fine, but yes I will absolutely be bringing sample of fabrics with me to look at the machines. If you know any reputable used sewing machine dealers down here, or a good sorce for me to find one I would love to know. As I'm sure you know there are a lot of husslers in the business:)

Wow thanks for the quick response! And for the helpful info! I only need the machine to handle up to 4 thickness's of the soft leather, and I would imagine that wouldn't be a problem. *Also what gage thread do you reccomend for such leathers? And when buying needles for the needle feed machines, is it similar to the home? As in would I just look for a medium gage leather needle? Thanks so much! I really appreciate all your knowledge on such a vast subject!

Hello, I am a seamstress with many years under my belt in garment sewing. But I'm new to leather, and I am in need of an industrial machine that is good with medium weight smooth finish lamb, elk, and calf leathers for handbags. But that I can also sew a medium weight cotton or even satin on with just switching out foot, needle, and thread. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!