Just getting started

[LarsFromMars]

My new years resolution was to get going on my leather projects, the first being a custom wallet. I posted earlier about getting my old singer 31-15 sewing machine to work with leather. I used it last year and was able to sew some leather with the guidance of an old shoe repairman in his shop. He sold me the machine when he suddenly retired, and I have had a hard time just getting over this initial hump of threading the machine properly. I was able to get an owners manual from the Smithsonion museum, no less, because this clunker was made in 1912!

Only one person responded to my post, and since then I discovered my needle was in wrong. Now I can at least sew blue jean material, but not yet leather. I feel however, like I'm almost there. I bought some new needles 16-100, and some thread to match at the local joanne fabric store. When I try to sew these two thin practice pieces of leather together, it just puts a nice row of holes in the leather, but the thread goes nowhere. When I try on 2 thickness of blue jean, it works OK. When I try it on two double thick leather folded over, it almost works, but the stitches are all messed up. I gave up for now, but will try using various tensions and maybe a couple of different kinds of thread. If anyone has been down this road before, I would like to hear from you as to exactly which needle, which thread, how to adjust it, and whatever it takes to make a wallet.

Is it OK to try to sew using only the hand wheel and not the motor and go extremely slow?

[Luke Hatley]

Lars..... you need to get size 18 needles with a "LEATHER POINT" to sew the leather and size 69 thread. you might have to contac a sewing machine person in your area for

close up inspection of what you are doing and personal instruction.

i dont think you have a clunker....it's just opperator error........

[jeeperaz]

My new years resolution was to get going on my leather projects, the first being a custom wallet. I posted earlier about getting my old singer 31-15 sewing machine to work with leather. I used it last year and was able to sew some leather with the guidance of an old shoe repairman in his shop. He sold me the machine when he suddenly retired, and I have had a hard time just getting over this initial hump of threading the machine properly. I was able to get an owners manual from the Smithsonion museum, no less, because this clunker was made in 1912!

Only one person responded to my post, and since then I discovered my needle was in wrong. Now I can at least sew blue jean material, but not yet leather. I feel however, like I'm almost there. I bought some new needles 16-100, and some thread to match at the local joanne fabric store. When I try to sew these two thin practice pieces of leather together, it just puts a nice row of holes in the leather, but the thread goes nowhere. When I try on 2 thickness of blue jean, it works OK. When I try it on two double thick leather folded over, it almost works, but the stitches are all messed up. I gave up for now, but will try using various tensions and maybe a couple of different kinds of thread. If anyone has been down this road before, I would like to hear from you as to exactly which needle, which thread, how to adjust it, and whatever it takes to make a wallet.

Is it OK to try to sew using only the hand wheel and not the motor and go extremely slow?

I wonder if you still have the wrong needle(s). The singer 31-15 uses system 134 needles. These systems will also work: 135x5, 135x7, 135x8, 797 and DPx5. Make sure it is a leather point needle.

Go to an industrial sewing supplier in your area and they should have the correct items. Also, get some size #69 bonded nylon thread to go with size 18 needles (like Luke said). Often times, the machine will behave better if there is a slightly lighter thread in the bobbin but #69 will be fine top and bottom.

Tell us more about the needles you are using? What other numbers/letters are on the package? Joann's fabrics likely would not have had the proper items needed for that machine or your project.

Also, when starting to sew, hold both threads back behind the project for the first few stitches. You can sew without the motor but why? Just practice for a bit and you'll get the hang of the motor speed. Get some old manilla folders or card stock and practice without thread. You can also put a tennis ball under the foot of the machine to help control the speed.

I know what you are going through because I was there not too long ago. I bought a 31-15 and had never sewn a stitch in my life. It took me a while to figure out the machine, the needles, the thread, tension and timing. Now it sews beautifully.

Edited January 19, 2010 by jeeperaz