latigoandlace

Yeah I know I'm pushing the limits, I need it to sew 3/8" with 138 thread just to get me by short term. Would you also choose the Pfaff out of the ones I posted above? It's slim pickins in this area for used machines. I honestly wouldn't eve mind buying a machine that could just poke holes and I could go back through with thicker thread later... I just hate using a stitching awl and/or punches for hand sewing! I'm planning on getting the cowboy machine soon, I just have to clear my backlog of orders asap! Thanks!

I really don't know what I'm looking for but she said it sews well, I was just waiting for her to call me back with the model number so I could get some more info before making the 2 hour journey. What about the Singer 211? (last link I believe)

I need to save up for the Cowboy sewing machine I was told about but I need something to hold me over in the meantime. I've got 4 tack sets I need to finish in the next couple weeks so I'm getting desperate! I'm searching "leather sewing machine" with a couple hours of Salem, Oregon and there are very few options. Which would you recommend? http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/app/4308845003.html http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/art/4307390182.html http://eugene.craigslist.org/for/4300209495.html http://medford.craigslist.org/for/4300812166.html http://medford.craigslist.org/art/4236966688.html http://yakima.craigslist.org/clo/4243885101.html http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/for/4304990039.html Which one(s) would you choose and do you think that the price(s) are decent? Thanks everyone!

Yes, I mostly sew 1/4"-3/8" and occasionally 1/2".

It actually sewed the best with the thicker materials, I was struggling with 1/4" to 3/8" :-/

Thank you

Any idea how much they cost?

I'm looking for recommendations on user friendly sewing machines. I just sold my Singer111G156, it would sew through 1/2" cowhides like butter but I was told by a pro that it could only handle 138 thread. I swear the tension needed to be changed if the bobbin was more than half full, it jammed up regularly (usually after a bobbin change) and ruined a lot of my projects. It ran like it was on steroids, even after paying for a speed reducer to be installed. It left a sour taste in my mouth for leather sewing machines, I'm hoping there are reliable/easy to use machines out there because I don't have the patience for hand stitching anymore and I'm tired of constantly struggling with the tension adjustment! Do any machines adjust automatically? Wouldn't that be nice!?! I want something that can handle thicker thread with adjustable stitch length. I usually don't sew anything thicker than 3/8" but it'd be nice to find something that could do 1/2" again. I'm not looking to spend a small fortune but I could save up for the right machine. Located in Oregon, thanks!

I'm happy to say that I bought the machine and it is a true WORK HORSE! Wow, it sews stiff 1/2" veg tan leather like butter! I bought it off Craigslist for $600 from a professional that specializes in industrial machines and it came with lots of extras including the solid wood table. I can get it to go one stitch at a time but I have to be barefoot and just flutter a toe lol it's very sensitive so I'm thinking the reducer would be a good idea. He said he can install one for around $100 and I'm thinking that sounds like a good investment, a few lead foot runaways and I'd ruin $100 worth of leather in no time! I'm making all kinds of things, mostly horse related gear. I wasn't at all expecting to get a machine that could repair my heavy draft harness but this machine will have no problems I'm even considering making one from scratch! I just started college again full time, after about a year off, so my biggest problem will be finding the time :-/ Thank you for the great info guys, this forum is great! Ashley

Hi guys! This is my first post I'm hoping to find some information about the Singer 111 G156 sewing machine. I just started working with leather about 4 months ago and I've been hand stitching all of my projects but it's too time consuming/hard on the hands. Most of what I sew is 3/8" thick or less, do you think this machine can handle that? The guy swears it will sew up to 1/2" but said he's never tried... The ad says "It has a compound feed walking foot, reverse, safety clutch and drop in bobbin. This high quality machine is fully serviced and in excellent condition." I recently bought an older industrial singer 15-91 off ebay, the seller swore up and down that it would sew anything that would fit under the presser foot but that was a bald face lie (it is in such bad shape it won't even sew cotton!) I'm a little nervous to believe what sellers claim now :-/ I would appreciate any insight you may have about the Singer 111 G156 as well as recommendations for other machines that are capable of handling 3/8" thick leather in the $600 range. I know it's not a lot but I figure that should buy me something decent while I save up my pennies for a newer machine Thanks a ton! Ashley B.