Enough of hand sewing

[Fire88]

I've been hand sewing a purse for my wife and while I don't mind doing small items or items that just can't be done with a machine. This purse is killing my hand and made me realize there is no way I can keep up hand sewing this a machine will do hours faster. 

Time for me to make the investment in a machine. 

[bikermutt07]

I avoid a lot of projects for the same reason. I won't even consider a purse of back pack. 

[Fire88]

9 minutes ago, bikermutt07 said:

I avoid a lot of projects for the same reason. I won't even consider a purse of back pack. 

This ones for the wife sooooo... I did it, told her it's the last one I do by hand. I've got way too many hours in it to ever make any money. 

[bikermutt07]

I did a large tote for my wife's birthday year before last. Liked to killed me.

[TomG]

I am resewing 2 leather chairs.  The stitching is around the perimeter of each piece.  The arms took me about 3 hours each.  And a day or 2 to.let my hands recover.   I bandaid my fingers and wear Gorilla Grip gloves from home depot.  That helps a whole lot.

Still have the backs to see and then I'll be done

[DominickTuroski]

Good luck finding a machine, I'm in the same boat. Some really good resources on this site! I'm looking at a singer 29 model of some sort, or a 111w155. 

[Fire88]

6 hours ago, bikermutt07 said:

I did a large tote for my wife's birthday year before last. Liked to killed me.

Yep this purse is killing my hands. 

4 hours ago, TomG said:

I am resewing 2 leather chairs.  The stitching is around the perimeter of each piece.  The arms took me about 3 hours each.  And a day or 2 to.let my hands recover.   I bandaid my fingers and wear Gorilla Grip gloves from home depot.  That helps a whole lot.

Still have the backs to see and then I'll be done

That's quite a bit of sewing, I'm glad I'm not keeping track of my time but I've watched the last season of Longmire and quite a few episodes of Top Gear. 

4 hours ago, DominickTuroski said:

Good luck finding a machine, I'm in the same boat. Some really good resources on this site! I'm looking at a singer 29 model of some sort, or a 111w155. 

I've spoken to Bob at Toledo industrial just need to make the trip up north. 

[DominickTuroski]

Sounds like a good plan! He is definatley the man to talk to.

[Matt S]

I don't know how you guys are sewing, but I can saddle stitch for hours and have never felt any pain (except when the awl hits my finger...). Perhaps if you let us know how and where you are hurting someone can offer some ways to reduce this.

 

Machines are great for a lot of jobs, especially for those of us earning a crust from leather. They are especially good for long or repetitive projects. However they are heavy, bulky, expensive, frustrating things a lot of the time and there is a big learning curve.

[Fire88]

1 hour ago, Matt S said:

I don't know how you guys are sewing, but I can saddle stitch for hours and have never felt any pain (except when the awl hits my finger...). Perhaps if you let us know how and where you are hurting someone can offer some ways to reduce this.

 

Machines are great for a lot of jobs, especially for those of us earning a crust from leather. They are especially good for long or repetitive projects. However they are heavy, bulky, expensive, frustrating things a lot of the time and there is a big learning curve.

I'm saddle stitching part of it is probably cause I don't do it all the time so my fingers/hands are fatigued. I've sewn a good 10hrs in the last 2days on this one bag. 

I'd like to get more into making things and selling them and there's no way I can do that and it be more than a hobby hand stitching everything. 

While im not familiar with the 441 style machines I'm proficient with a sewing machine and expect a learning curve.