Help! Can't balance stitches.

[toxo]

Wanted to make a cover for one of my knives but this is the first time I've asked my new machine to sew some thickness and I can't get it right.

This is hard thick veg tan and I'm wondering if I'm asking too much of it. Top looks ok but I can't get the bottom to match. Apologies for the bad pics. Had to downgrade them to get them all on.

This is softer leather. Not perfect but better.

Tension discs and using 20s thread and a 120 needle. Have adjusted top and bottom tensions . Have lowered the check spring. Am I missing something?

 

 

Edited 12 hours ago by toxo

[Constabulary]

I cannot see how good or bad the stitches are, pics are too small but when I sew NM 20 thread I´m using a larger needle size like NM 140.

[kgg]

2 hours ago, toxo said:

I'm wondering if I'm asking too much of it.

The  thickness to don't think is the problem I think it has more to do with you needle thread size combination. 

2 hours ago, toxo said:

Tension discs and using 20s thread and a 120 needle.

If I am reading the label on the thread correctly it is metric 20 size which is V138 thread. The metric 120 which is a size #19 needle is for metric 30 which is v92 thread. The correct size of needle needs to be a minimum of 140 metric (#22) and max 180 metric (#24) in real thick stuff. The needle hole made in the leather has to be large enough to basically accommodate 3 strands of thread, the top thread strand and the two strands of bobbin thread on either side of the top thread forming the loop.

kgg 

[Northmount]

4 hours ago, toxo said:

Apologies for the bad pics. Had to downgrade them to get them all on.

800 pixels in the longest dimension should give you maybe up to 100 photos space and be more adequate for viewing.

Moved your post to leather sewing machines.

 

 

[toxo]

3 hours ago, Northmount said:

800 pixels in the longest dimension should give you maybe up to 100 photos space and be more adequate for viewing.

Moved your post to leather sewing machines.

 

 

That can't be right can it? I normally keep 600 across the top but was too much for these. I had to go down to 300 for these, crop more  and decreased the resolution from 90 down to 60. Maybe I overdid it. The limit is still 1.47 Megapixels right?

 

[toxo]

Thanks @Constabulary and @kgg.  The biggest leather needles I have is 120. Just realised the needles they sent with the machine are 130 and 160 but they're round point. I'm just about to order some LRs. 

I'll probably sew this thickness about once in a blue moon but the boy scout in me likes to be prepared.

[Northmount]

1 hour ago, toxo said:

That can't be right can it? I normally keep 600 across the top but was too much for these. I had to go down to 300 for these, crop more  and decreased the resolution from 90 down to 60. Maybe I overdid it. The limit is still 1.47 Megapixels right?

 

Check out his site https://toolstud.io/photo/filesize.php?imagewidth=800&imageheight=600 and put in 800 x 600 and check the resulting various file type sizes.  I get "Compressed JPG 100% 24bit/pixel:" as 98KB.  So we can get a lot of files within the 1.47 MB.

800 x 600 is your resolution.  And if printed at 300 dpi makes a print 2.7" x 2". 

[kgg]

2 hours ago, toxo said:

I'll probably sew this thickness about once in a blue moon but the boy scout in me likes to be prepared.

Just for future reference:

Needle to Thread Chart: https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html

kgg

[toxo]

@NorthmountThis is what I use. I can crop, resize, transform etc etc. This pic is 800 x 436 and is 100kb.

Edited 1 hour ago by toxo

[1hp]

open image in Paint. click resize button. enter 30%. save. done.

for  some reason my $700 phone does not have a resize function. PITA

Edited 1 hour ago by 1hp
more info

[toxo]

5 minutes ago, kgg said:

Just for future reference:

Needle to Thread Chart: https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html

kgg

Thanks Keith. I think I already have that somewhere but in my world it starts with thread colour. That might mean using a thinner thread than I would like because I don't have all threads in all the colours and all the sizes. I usually start with running a needle down the thread at a 45degree angle. If sluggish I go up one. If too free I go down one. Once I sew some scrap I might change the needle if necessary.

The reason I'm struggling here is the new needle system and the thickness. I've had this piece of leather for years and I don't suppose I'll ever use it again. 

[dikman]

I still consider myself a novice at leatherwork but my first thought on reading your post was "hard leather so bigger needle needed".