Andrew Chee Report post Posted September 29, 2013 Hi all. I've been doing some research on a straight stitch machine that I want to use on lighter weight stuff from fabric for liners up to thin leathers. I would like a machine that can take standard presser feet so I can swap in a roller foot sometimes as well to sew decorative stitches on leather. There are a lot of machines that can do this but the thing is that I'd like the machine to be capable to handle (occasionally) 138 thread to sew into about 8oz total of veg tan. The only machine that is often mentioned that comes close seems to the singer 31-15 but I would prefer a reverse (zig zag would be great too but I could live without that). What machines out there would people suggest for this? Thanks. Andrew Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Brosowski Report post Posted September 29, 2013 If you like the 31-15 then the 31-20 is even better as it uses a larger bobbin. A 42-5 is even better as it can be pushed to run much heavier material and thread. A zig-zag machine will never give as good a straight stitch as a dedicated straight stitch machine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cascabel Report post Posted September 29, 2013 If you like the 31-15 then the 31-20 is even better as it uses a larger bobbin. A 42-5 is even better as it can be pushed to run much heavier material and thread. A zig-zag machine will never give as good a straight stitch as a dedicated straight stitch machine. I have a 42-5 which I use for everything from medium weight leather to heavy canvas and upholstery fabrics. It will sew very nearly a half inch thick if I'm careful. Three eighths of an inch is no problem at all. The large heavy flywheel helps it to punch through thick materials easily. One of the greatest features of the 42-5 is that as the foot is raised by thick materials, it does not release the thread tension. Automatically releasing the thread tension as the foot is raised limits the thickness capability of a great many machines !! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted September 29, 2013 A Singer 31-15 can sew with #138, IF it is a later model, or has been modified to have a newer hook. The one I have is from the mid-1920s and cannot handle #138 thread at all. The shuttle and driver don't have enough clearance and the beehive spring is too light to tension #138 thread for leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
