Best Feet For Top Stitching On Cylinder Arm.

[SonderingSusan]

Hi all!

I am new to this site and fairly new to leatherwork. I love it but have found myself sort of on my own with technical things on a day to day basis which can be frustrating and slow for production.

I recently bought a Hi-Lead GA2668 cylinder arm walking foot machine. I am having a problem with my foot when top stitching. I can't see the stitches as they are being formed making it very hard to sew an exact straight line. I was wondering could anyone post a photo of the foot they use on their cylinder arm which they find great for top stitching ? (a foot which gives you a view of the needle meeting the leather or something like this)

I cannot thank you enough for any help or guidance you may be able to offer on this issue .

Advance thanks form a struggling beginner .

[Cobra Steve]

Hello. It sounds like you need an open toe center foot. This will allow you to see the needle enter the leather. We have the presser feet that you need. I know you are in Ireland but I don't know what the cost would be to send them there.

[SonderingSusan]

Hi Cobra Steve.! Thanks for the reply. that is really helpful to know. would you have a picture of the open toe foot?

Thank you for your help with this,

[Tree Reaper]

You can use a roller guide on the edge of your leather, straight edge on a table or keep the edge of the foot on the edge of the leather as you sew.

The open foot is useful when you aren't stitching a straight edge.

Where are you having a problem, at the start and stop or the running stitches?

[Northmount]

You can grind/file out a gap in the toe of the foot. Round the edges nicely and polish up any rough spots.

Tom

[dirtclod]

I have one machine with a open center toe and i don't like it ! You have to be real carefull when you take something out from under the foot, if your not you stand a good chance of bending or breaking the needle. The only way around bending or breaking the needle is to pull some slack from the upper thread path.

As far what type of feet i would get a left toe foot and maybe a right toe foot so you can sew close to things. Like others have said if the toes are to long you can file them down to a length that works for you. I had to do that on one set of feet that i have the toe was way to long on the center toe and the outside toe.

[SonderingSusan]

I have one machine with a open center toe and i don't like it ! You have to be real carefull when you take something out from under the foot, if your not you stand a good chance of bending or breaking the needle. The only way around bending or breaking the needle is to pull some slack from the upper thread path.

As far what type of feet i would get a left toe foot and maybe a right toe foot so you can sew close to things. Like others have said if the toes are to long you can file them down to a length that works for you. I had to do that on one set of feet that i have the toe was way to long on the center toe and the outside toe.

Hi Dirtclod !

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, i am also looking for the ocrrect foot which will let me get the needle right up close to the stitch guide. i was thinking a zipper foot may be good ? But you say a left toe foot and maybe a right toe foot ? Thanks a million for the advice, im gonna try get these today.

You can grind/file out a gap in the toe of the foot. Round the edges nicely and polish up any rough spots.

Tom

Thanks Tom ! I may try this on the open toe foot i purchased. Did you use a jewellery file ?

Best,

Ann

You can use a roller guide on the edge of your leather, straight edge on a table or keep the edge of the foot on the edge of the leather as you sew.

The open foot is useful when you aren't stitching a straight edge.

Where are you having a problem, at the start and stop or the running stitches?

Hi Tree Reaper,

Thanks for replying. I have been having trouble when i have to top stitch on my leather too far in so that i can't use the guide to keep my lines straight.

Also i was wondering would you have any advice on the best foot one can buy to get the needle right up close to the stitich guide. For doing the edges of straps etc?

Thanks!

Ann

[Northmount]

Just used a fine tooth file. Carefully, and lightly. Rounded all edges that could contact the leather or snag a thread.

Tom