Sewing canvas with a needle made for leather

[OldHarnessGuy]

Has anyone tried sewing canvas without changing the needle from leather to fabric? I have a Nakijima 421, which I understand is the forerunner to the Juki TSC 441. Haven't used it in 20 years or so and am getting reacquainted with the entire process of machine sewing. The leather needle is now in the machine and I am uncertain what kind of needle I would need to buy to sew a few projects with some old canvas tarp remnants I have kept over the years. Any help would be appreciated.

[CowboyBob]

Sure you can use the leather needle & it will sew it ok BUT it can damage(cut) the threads in the material @ the hole that the needle makes.That's why we always recommend a round point needle for canvas & vinyl.

Edited October 10, 2017 by CowboyBob

[mikesc]

Leather needle will cut the threads due to it's end shape..you need a needle for woven textiles.

[cowboycolonel]

I have done it, but ONLY in a pinch.  When I have done it, I've folded and rolled the seams after coating liberally with rubber cement.  If you don't do something to hold the fibers, the stitching won't last very long as everything will un-ravel.

[dirkba]

Hi OldHarnesGuy,

 

I am no expert on needles, but recently decided to do a project combining canvas and leather, so I did a little research and found the following helpfull.

I did the whole bag (pic below) with a leather needle and was satisfied that it did not fray the canvas.

Universal

Intended as an all-purpose needle, preferred for woven fabrics where a sharper needle could ruin the fabric. Similar to a ballpoint needle but tapered to allow the needle to slip through without producing a run.

Ballpoint

Similar to a universal needle but has rounded edges and is not tapered the same way. Intended for closely knit fabrics where the rounded tip will push the weave out of the way rather than cut through it.

Leather

These have a distinct triangular point to help the needle make a large, clean hole in non-woven materials like vinyl.

 

 

[mikesc]

There are a lot more different types of leather needle point than just the triangular ones..most will cut the threads of any woven textile, because they are designed to slice a clean hole in the leather, the triangular point ones are nearer to a standard needle so may ( if you are lucky on some holes ) slide the threads apart on some holes and thus not weaken the textile at each and every stitch..If you are sewing leather and textile together in one assembly it can be necessary.

But..if you are only sewing textile such as canvas ( and old canvas and tarps are liable to be too stiff for the threads too slide away from a cutting end leather needle )..why take a chance on it unravelling later at some time. Needles are cheap.

Edited October 10, 2017 by mikesc