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@fredk, that is a valid point! Sometimes in my enthusiasm, I forget practical aspects like space and weight of the item. I should remember that when considering a machine.

@kgg, Foot wear I only plan to make moccasins and slippers. I do not have the patience or the desire right now to start with making lasts for boots and shoes. Besides, we get plenty of them that are good. It is open toed slippers that I like and want to make specific types. So from what you and AlZilla said, an all-rounder machine might be the way to go. I am still in two minds though. I feel I cannot, in good conscience, spend so much until I actually am in the position to use it. Else it will join my Brother sewing machine and Rocketeer as a curio - all expensive curios - that I plan to use but never get the time.

@AlZilla, thank you for that post. It is just what I need. Will be immersed in that for a while now, I think. I will keep in mind about the cylinder arm machine as well.

That is very true. I have absolutely no idea about the types of knives. I think I will do that.

LOL. @AlZilla, you hit the nail on the head! That is exactly what I was thinking! What do I really need when selecting a machine and what will be 'nice to have' in case I need it in the future. And since I have only just made my first belt today, I have a long way to go and everything is 'in case I need to make..."!

@kgg, I gather the 3 machines you mentioned are manual ones? The motorized ones will be much more expensive. I know I have heard of Consew but there are so many of them. Also I believe Singer has some sturdy ones.. are they sturdy enough for leatherwork? I only plan to make bags, footwear, knife sheaths - simple ones. I know I will not make saddles, chaps etc. I have been looking up Consew to start. On their site, there are so many options, it is bewildering. Are there specific requirements that are a must when selecting a machine? I think I need to investigate the threads here about sewing machines. The thing is, hand stitching leather is, for me, a relaxing activity. The fragrance of the leather, the waxed thread, my large stitching horse, the rhythmic movements of stitching .. I do it when I am tired and it rejuvenates me. So a machine might take away all that. But needs must, I suppose. @Fredk, great idea to use it for holes for stitching. Sometimes that is more time consuming and a bit of a pain.

Those are beautiful. I love recycling. You are doing such a great job of it. I love what you did with the boots. what a great idea. makes me want to look for similar boots as well! I buy old handbags if I like the design and plan to make similar ones, using the hardware in those purses. So I get both the pattern and the hardware. There are so many beautiful handmade things out there that are old and used but can be beautifully repurposed! Recycling is the fashion as well, these days.

@Fredk, why am I not surprised? Come to think of it, I did once receive a pair of socks I did not order and that is the answer I received from Amazon! Not happened again. I guess there are more than sufficient people the world over to not have to repeat us in the con. Thank you @Dwight. I did not know that. I will have to check how it is here in Georgia. About machines, my husband thinks I should investigate getting one, not for a business but for ease of making the things I want - I have arthritis so he worries my hands will ache. My investigations take a couple of months at least, before I finally decide. In this thread itself, I have got some ideas and brand names, including the ones you mentioned above. I will check the prices on eBay and Facebook Marketplace and new as well. Let's see. The fun is in the investigation as well.

@fredk, that is a good idea - using a stop watch to time a process. I am still getting into the groove of it, so probably am slower too. And I am worried about agreeing to do something at a lower price than the price of the leather. When he gets back to me, let me see what he says. Since I have no idea what type of knives they are, I am not going to give a price until I see them. Through this thread, I have some idea of how to price, so if he does not agree to it, I will pass. @Alzilla, that is astonishing! I see the reviews but never thought of checking the percentages and their calculations. They say newer, good reviews get more weightage. So if a seller has 25 bad reviews, and can get 5 friends to give good reviews, the score remains high. It should be like credit scores - bad ones remain for 7 years. That would stop bad sellers in their tracks. Many of the reviews, if you read them carefully, are for other items in the sellers shop. They put all the reviews together for all the items if they have good reviews for one item, so it looks like every item has great reviews. They also allow reviews from people who received items free in return for reviews - very suspect. Now this is another thing to watch out for. Life was simpler when I could just go to a neighbourhood store to get what I need. Did not need to check ratings then. it was either good, or bad.

@AlZilla, yes, unfortunately. Don't people notice the different in quality? If he insists on such a ridiculous price, I am directing him to the cheap items he can get off Etsy or eBay or Temu or wherever.

@Handstitched, your mother sounds delightfully talented! Spinning wool, knitting, making garments, pottery, baking.. so many talents. I am impressed. You must be proud of her.

@Alzilla, You are perfectly right, if I get $20 profit from each sheath. I somehow am not sure. My husband just told me he was talking to my husband about simple sheaths for $10!! People have no idea of the expense and efforts put into hand made leather items! if he agrees to a price where I can make a decent profit, I will probably do it. Otherwise, not worth it. @Handstitched, Yes! It is empowering and feels good. I should see the positive side of it!

@KGG, yes, that makes sense. Hand stitching so many sheaths is just not practical. Leather sewing machines are expensive and it does not make sense to me to buy a machine for just this project - it will certainly not cover the cost of one. I do not know whether I will get other projects or will even want them. So I have to decide whether buying a machine will help me in newer projects and allow me to make more items that I would not attempt to hand sew, even just for a hobby.

@Klara and @Handstitched, I know! it is such a dilemma. I could sell items directly without making it a formal business but these days they are very strict here in the US, I have heard. So if I do decide to do it as a business, it will have to be all the complications of business registration etc. UGH! @jrdunn, you are right about the deadlines and pressure to complete orders versus doing leatherwork for the pleasure of it. I would hate to lose the joy I get from working with leather. And like you said, @Handstitched, buying a machine! I have seen the threads here about buying a machine There are so many things to think about, and since I am such a novice at leatherwork, I am clueless about all of them. I barely even machine-stitch cloth, so that will be a learning curve as well. I have 2 sewing machines, including a vintage one , just sitting pretty as of now! So I wonder if I will use a leather sewing one or it will become another expensive 'curio' in my house. And I hate to spend money unless absolutely necessary. SO much to think about. Thank you for giving me so much food for thought. I need it all to make an informed decision.

@Handstitched that is very true. I could buy a machine and start a business and still enjoy leatherwork - I think I will - but I am so new at leatherwork - just started earlier this year - that I do not yet feel confident. I need to feel that I am getting good at at least some things first. That is my concern.

Thank you for that kgg. That helps! I agree machines will help but I am a hobbyist and have no plans to go into business and therefore have had no plans to buy machines as I enjoy hand stitching. However ,I seem to be getting pushed that way. In the last month or so, this man is the 2nd who asked me to make knife sheaths and another wants moccasins for him and his family. Another woman wants me to make bags for her. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something! I am a little loathe to turn a hobby into a profession though - worried that leatherwork will lose its charm. But let me see. I will think over it for a few days.

It seems leatherwork is in demand, at least where I stay. Each and every time I mention that I work with leather, I am always asked whether I can make something or the other. Purses, moccasins, and now, knife sheaths. Someone wants me to make dozens of knife sheaths. He has 105 knives and some have sheaths, but most do not. I explained that I am just a hobbyist and that I just make simple, protective knife sheaths for personal use but he insists I make some. and he is fine with simple ones, without any tooling. Now my question is, if I agree, how much do I charge for them? They will be hand-stitched as I do not have a machine and I size and wet mold each so it fits exactly. The knives are of different sizes, he says. I would really appreciate some guidance on this.

It looks really beautiful in dark blue. Are you sure you want to dye it black?

I will, whenever the day comes. I just started leatherworking in January 2023, so still very much a newbie.. with ambitions!

Could be Kolhapuris. Need to be broken in, to shape to one's feet. Very comfortable and hand made to boot, At least the ones I wore growing up in India. No idea what they sold here. I plan to make them as soon as I become better at leatherworking.

Nice. Very imaginative.

@FFbullrider Why on earth shouldn't men shop at Etsy? When last I looked, they don't ask if you are female. Coming to the topic in question, I make moccasins and have just managed to get hold of some old tire tubes. Can't wait to use them. When well shaped, they work very well. Besides, as moccasins are bespoke made for each person, the soles will exactly fit each foot as well. @Dwight You are right about being conversation starters. I got the tire tubes at an estate sale, and the woman next to me kept looking at me, puzzled as to why I wanted them. When I explained, she was delighted. She did not know they could be used in that way.

A bit late in this thread, but don't coconut oil, almond oil etc. get oxidized over time? I have heard they do.

@TomGEco-flo bleeds so easily, I think I will just compromise on the color and try something else. Thank you. It saves me continuous trials when I have a million other things to learn about leatherworking.

@TomG does it prevent bleeding of Eco-flo dyes as well? I can find a color that I want only in Eco-FLo but it bleeds heavily the moment it comes in contact with water. Still trying on scrap, luckily. If not, will have to compromise and move to something else.