Oceanmonkey

I realise now that the machine recommended over here to me (a Singer) would certainly not be up to the task. Where I thought I had done all my homework I have opened a can of worms. I keep looking at the Janome HD3000 but its not available in the UK so have just contacted Janome for some advice. I will head over to the forum for sewing machines for some help but appreciate what you say about giving something back for advice, even a small gesture goes a long way. Thanks for response and the video which is really useful.

Thank you for the quick response. That is great, maybe I look elsewhere for a machine. Unfortunately where I live there is no-one who sells them so I have to rely on the web which is not ideal. Thanks once again

Good afternoon I would like to say hi to everyone, I live in the UK, male and having been made redundant wish to take an interest to a new level. I have spent some time researcing and putting into place a business plan but am stuck with what now seems to be one final hurdle. I am aware that hand stitching is by far the best and will be using this practice but for some economics will need to use a machine occasionally. Straight lines! with a machine how do I sew lets say two lines of stitching along a 36" run just 1/2" apart in a perfect straight line. Are there guides or attachments that you use, this is something I am really stuck with. I asked by email a supplier of a machine I have looked at and they said you need a special arm, but thats all they said. If there is an option with certain machines I would be grateful for some advice. Leather I will be stitching will at most be 2 x 4mm leather straps together otherwise 2.5 - 4mm single veg tanned. I have attached an image as an example. Thanks in advance. Some help would be grateful