Sewing Machine Journey

[dray25luera]

Hello,

I am a novice to the craft and recently made the decision to purchase a sewing machine, I made the mistake of going for something that was affordable at the time instead of doing further research. I ended up purchasing the Consew T-1919 through Tandy. I have since read many of the forums on here and realize my mistake. I am currently having the hardest time getting a stitch going (which could definitely be user error). The thread seems to be snapping in the tension knob so I have tried lowering the tension and it still seems to snap or unthread itself. 

Long story short, I have searched high and low on videos or information on this machine to see if i am the problem or not. I have come up empty.

So for one, does anyone have any advice or knowledge on this machine? 

Two, I have talked to some people at a sewing place and they have got me interested in the Janome Memory Craft 6700P. Anybody with information on this machine and if it is worth me investing in?

[friquant]

Can you post photos of the thread path?

What size and kind of thread are you using?

What material are you stitching, and what size needle?

[AlZilla]

@dray25luera

Greetings and welcome to the forum. Someone will be along to help you with the problem you're having with your current mchine.

2 suggestions - first, tell us what it is you're sewing so the experts can make suggestions regarding if you have the right machine. Next, read through the below thread to acquaint yourself with the variety of machine types available and their best uses.

 

[bruce johnson]

No help with the little Consew. I am not usually a Tandy basher but I would seriously like to see anyone at Tandy do even half of what they say that machine can do.  

The Janome - run away fast. That is a fabric machine. If they tell you it is what you need, that tells me all I need to know about their knowledge of sewing leather and/or business integrity. For what it costs you can buy the heaviest duty leather machine out there. Look up Bob Kovar or Leather Machine Co - people that sell real leather sewing machines. 

@Wizcrafts to customer service please

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, dray25luera said:

Hello,

I am a novice to the craft and recently made the decision to purchase a sewing machine, I made the mistake of going for something that was affordable at the time instead of doing further research. I ended up purchasing the Consew T-1919 through Tandy. I have since read many of the forums on here and realize my mistake. I am currently having the hardest time getting a stitch going (which could definitely be user error). The thread seems to be snapping in the tension knob so I have tried lowering the tension and it still seems to snap or unthread itself. 

Long story short, I have searched high and low on videos or information on this machine to see if i am the problem or not. I have come up empty.

So for one, does anyone have any advice or knowledge on this machine? 

Two, I have talked to some people at a sewing place and they have got me interested in the Janome Memory Craft 6700P. Anybody with information on this machine and if it is worth me investing in?

Welcome to Leatherworker.net

As you have discovered, the machine you have is inadequate for the work you have on hand. My article that was linked to earlier today should help you understand the type of machine that actually sews leather. Within this basic deinition there are various levels of capacity in the various makes and models available. At the very least, you should look for a compound/triple feed walking foot machine. Early examples are the Singer 111w155 and 156 (has reverse), the older Juki LU-563 and newer models, like the Juki DNU-1541, and some Consew models that have  triple feed, like the Consew 206RB-5. These machines can handle up to #138 bonded nylon thread and actually tension it enough to sew over 5/16 inch  of leather, depending on its density. They weigh over 70 pounds and need to be fitted onto industrial sewing machine tables that have steel legs. Most tables are 20" x 48". They are usually equipped with powerful clutch or servo motors that drive the heavy steel mechanism through stacks of leather that would destroy a home hobbiest's machine.

[kgg]

2 hours ago, dray25luera said:

Two, I have talked to some people at a sewing place and they have got me interested in the Janome Memory Craft 6700P.

Very nice DOMESTIC sewing machine not suited to leather work. Since you are interested in that machine which costs north of $3000 USD you can afford a proper machine capable of sewing leather.

You need to tell us what you want to sew, belts, wallets, bags, holsters so you can get good suggestions on the machine that would suit your needs.

kgg

Edited yesterday at 07:07 PM by kgg

[dray25luera]

 

2 hours ago, AlZilla said:

@dray25luera

Greetings and welcome to the forum. Someone will be along to help you with the problem you're having with your current mchine.

2 suggestions - first, tell us what it is you're sewing so the experts can make suggestions regarding if you have the right machine. Next, read through the below thread to acquaint yourself with the variety of machine types available and their best uses.

 

 

2 hours ago, bruce johnson said:

No help with the little Consew. I am not usually a Tandy basher but I would seriously like to see anyone at Tandy do even half of what they say that machine can do.  

The Janome - run away fast. That is a fabric machine. If they tell you it is what you need, that tells me all I need to know about their knowledge of sewing leather and/or business integrity. For what it costs you can buy the heaviest duty leather machine out there. Look up Bob Kovar or Leather Machine Co - people that sell real leather sewing machines. 

@Wizcrafts to customer service please

 

41 minutes ago, kgg said:

Very nice DOMESTIC sewing machine not suited to leather work. Since you are interested in that machine which costs north of $3000 USD you can afford a proper machine capable of sewing leather.

You need to tell us what you want to sew, belts, wallets, bags, holsters so you can get good suggestions on the machine that would suit your needs.

kgg

Hello, 

Thank you all for your feedback. Currently I make wallets, keychains, and coin purses which are all hand sewn. I primarily wanted to move to a sewing machine to  hopefully expand my inventory with tote bags, belts, and other accessories. I work with 2-3oz leather currently but will need to go thicker for various projects. The thread that I attempted using was Thread # 69 T70. 

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, dray25luera said:

Hello, 

Thank you all for your feedback. Currently I make wallets, keychains, and coin purses which are all hand sewn. I primarily wanted to move to a sewing machine to  hopefully expand my inventory with tote bags, belts, and other accessories. I work with 2-3oz leather currently but will need to go thicker for various projects. The thread that I attempted using was Thread # 69 T70. 

You'll need to get  a proper walking foot machine, then get #18 leatherpoint needles in the "system" that machine uses. For instance, my Singer 111 and 211 machines take system 135x16 leather point, and 135x17 round point needles. I tend to hunt for titanium coated needles because I sew through leather tape or glue on a lot of jobs. Titanium coating helps prevent clogging of the eye of the needle. I also keep Goof Off and a dauber close by to clean the crap off the needles when they do get full of tape residue!

[kgg]

1 hour ago, dray25luera said:

hopefully expand my inventory with tote bags, belts, and other accessories.

Bags are best done with a Cylinder arm machine while flt items like belts are best done with a Flatbed machine. A good all rounder to cover off round or roundish items and flat items would be a Cylinder arm machine like a brand name Juki LS-1341 or clone with a flatbed table attachment. There are quite a number of clone machines available at various price points.

1 hour ago, dray25luera said:

but will need to go thicker for various projects. The thread that I attempted using was Thread # 69 T70. 

The thread V69 T70 is the largest thread your Domestic sewing machines typically can handle and pretty much the bottom end of what an industrial sewing machine can use.

A Cylinder arm machine like the Juki LS-1341 (~$5000 USD) or clone ($2300 USD) can handle just over 3/8" thick leather which will cover off your projects.

kgg

[friquant]

4 hours ago, dray25luera said:

So for one, does anyone have any advice or knowledge on this machine? 

This post is informative of the consew t1919 performance envelope: