Jump to content

Recommended Posts

  • Members
Posted

I am a newbie. Just started into leather work. My wife knew I was interested in obtaining a sewing machine to work with leather. To my surprise she bought me an old Domestic Rotary 153. Circa 1950 or so. Being the skeptic I am, I was doubtful of her selection. Until I started using it. It sewed three pieces of full grain leather like it was sewing two pieces of regular fabric. 
has anyone else had an occasion to try this machine out? 

Posted

Well, you can't argue with success. You'll encounter limitations like how thick it'll sew or maybe the layers shifting. Certainly, thickness of the thread it'll use will be limited.

But if it's serving your needs, you've got a winner.

Get some leather needles, keep it well lubed and be grateful for your thoughtful wife.

Posted

Yes,those old Domestic Rotary 153 are a smooth running machine,I'm surprised your able to sew that thick w/o overloading the friction drive?

  • 3 months later...
  • Members
Posted

I found one locally for a pretty good price do you think it can handle 2 4oz pieces of veg tan leather? 

Posted
1 hour ago, RoamingRanch said:

I found one locally for a pretty good price do you think it can handle 2 4oz pieces of veg tan leather? 

@RoamingRanch, I'd be surprised if it did so satisfactorily. Since it's local to you, go take some leather and have a run at it.

Maybe report back your findings so the next person has a baseline?

  • Members
Posted

sewing some straight seems on scrap leather with a thin needle and thin thread and producing a quality leather goods with maybe a size 22 needle and 138 thread are two different things. If a certain machine is capable to sew leather depends on the product you want to produce, the type and thickness of leather you want to use and the needle and thread size you want to use and o course the overall thickness you want to sew.

Thin needles with thin thread will most likely punch through all kind of leather (guess why syringes have super thin needles) then double or triple the leather and and try again. Then try making a proper product.

All sewing machines have their limitations.

  • Members
Posted (edited)

I'll probably just pass by and give it a try, ill see if I can bring some needles and #69 thread as well

Edited by RoamingRanch

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...