Decorative Machine Stitching Questions

[KatRides]

HI all, newbie here, I've seen some beautiful relief and decorative machine stitching on leather projects, cowboy boots etc and I'm trying to figure out what size needles, thread and type of leather is best to use for many rows of stitching... the best I've seen so far is on the boots done by Lisa Sorrell at custom boots. anyone have any experience that can start me in the right direction?????

thanks

Kat

[dirtclod]

I would guess a size 46 or 69 thread. Not sure on the size of needle.

[mogwild]

From Wiz's website:

Here is a sample of the type of stitching I do on this Union Lockstitch machine, using #277 bonded nylon thread, into a 1/4 inch thick belt. I have modified one of the presser feet to turn sharp corners, during fancy stitching, without puckering the top thread at the turn. The same foot is very narrow and works great for stitching close to raised sides or edges.

Not sure if that's what your looking for, but that...that is some nice decorative stitching right there!

Edited June 14, 2012 by mogwild

[Art]

Usually, boot tops are made of a top leather and a liner, a 3 to 4 oz top with a 4oz calf liner. The top stitching is usually 33 or 46 thread and a #9 to #12 needle at around 12 to 14 stitches to the inch. The machines that are commonly used for this work are the Singer 110w100, the Singer 31-15 or 31-20 roller presser foot equipped, the Cobra 5550, again roller equipped. The best of those in my opinion, is the Singer 110w100. If you build a table to fit around the post, a Pfaff 491 is also a good machine. I have seen the Singers in conditions from almost new to almost no maintenance, guess which one to look for. There is a Chinese clone of the 491 that is excellent and expensive, Both Steve and Bob have those.

Art

HI all, newbie here, I've seen some beautiful relief and decorative machine stitching on leather projects, cowboy boots etc and I'm trying to figure out what size needles, thread and type of leather is best to use for many rows of stitching... the best I've seen so far is on the boots done by Lisa Sorrell at custom boots. anyone have any experience that can start me in the right direction?????

thanks

Kat

[Anne Bonnys Locker]

Roller foot/roller feed 31-18

[KatRides]

thanks very much everyone, this gives me more to go on and figure out re: machines etc. I really appreciate the help

[northquabbin]

This link will fill you in on thread and needle size.

http://www.tippmannindustrial.com/needleandthread.php?osCsid=6fcc0d4a9a51206dfa0ecb06184f690d