Sewing machine requirements for garment weight leather

[Zebazga]

Hi,

I am new to machine sewing leather, though I've done a couple of hand sewing projects. My main interest working with leather is making bags.

My current project is using a total of 4oz leather to make a bag that can stand on its own. I will be making a muslin with equivalent-weight felt first, so that will answer some of my concerns about my sewing machines. However, I wanted some input if I should start looking for a new-to-me sewing machine now.

I have a Janome DC2012 and a Singer Featherweight which I need to see which year it was. The Janome has served me well, including a very thick canvas when I made a pocket door hanging. It could handle everything until 8-10 thicknesses of the canvas, stabilizer, and plastic "window."

Given that I want to work on purses and will probably stay at 4oz and under weight, is there a decent chance one of my two machines will be adequate? And more importantly, would I do any damage to the machines trying to sew multiple layers of the felt and then leather?

FYI, this is the project I want to start: http://www.leathercraftpattern.com/leather-handbag-pattern-Tory-Burch?search=ACC-92

Thank you for your help and I've been learning a lot reading the posts!

Edited December 21, 2018 by Zebazga

[Wizcrafts]

I had a plastic body Janome, like the DC2012, and it blew up trying to sew a belt. As for the aluminum body 221, it may handle 4 ounces of soft leather using #69 bonded nylon thread and a #18 needle. But, if the gutless motor starts grinding or smelling bad, stop immediately! These are both meant for sewing broadcloth only.

Look for a used or rebuilt walking foot, upholstery grade machine with a big motor and 20" x 48" steel legs table.

[kgg]

The Janome DC2012 and the sweet little Singer Featherweight are both not going to last or are capable of trying to do the leather working patterns that you indicated. A brief look at the patterns it seems like they are using at least v138 thread which both machines cannot take or have the ability. Both machines are meant for light fabric materials and yes you can get them to do it once in awhile on bit heavier stuff. I rebuilt a Singer Featherweight 221 a couple of years ago just to bring the it back to life and see why they are so very popular with the quilting people. Personally I didn't like it and sold it very quickly for a small profit. Yes it did a nice even stitch, was compact and weighted next to nothing but it was very weak on any more then a couple of layers of light material.

You mentioned sewing multi layers of felt and then leather together in your post. For this I think you need to look into the purchase of at least a portable walking foot machine that can handle up to V138 thread. There are many companies that sell these machines like the Reliable (Barracuda), Rex (607), Sailrite(LS) and Techsew (611) to name just a few which should be able to handle your mentioned project.

kgg 

[Zebazga]

Sorry for the delay in responding to your posts. Thank you very much for the feedback.

I guess I will start keeping my eyes open for upholstery machines.

Thanks again and Happy New Year!