Sewing Machine for Sewing Custom Sneakers

[JohnG305]

First off, thank you for helping me out. I am new to leather sewing, I caught the bug and catch myself talking about sewing at my day job. 

I am going to be customizing  sneakers, mainly Vans' shoes by adding faux leather to the uppers (fake Louis Vuitton fabric- photo attached). A few shops are selling them on Etsy.  I have narrowed it down to a post bed with roller foot (top only) with reverse. The model I like  is the lower-priced Yamata FY 810. 

The FY 810 doesn't have the bottom roller. I believe the presser foot grips the leather from the top rather than having feed dogs? I am not sure if I need the bottom roller on the post? I know it would help the 2-3 layers of thin to medium shoe leather feed together more smoothly for assembling shoe uppers, but do I need it to get started? 

If I need a different machine, does anyone have a recommendation? I would rather spend a little more and get the correct shoe leather sewing machine without going over $1300 with table, etc. 

I am also looking to see if the FY810 can handle 207 thread or thicker.

If you are curious about the sneaker work, here is a link to the video, a professional shoe maker making Air Jordans from a pattern and lasts. The 2nd photo are Hender Scheme Jordan 4s made by hand and sewing machine- this is the pinnacle of custom sneaker work (in my opinion) Thank you for helping me out. I promise to return the favor here after I make a few dozen mistakes.

Thanks alot, John G 

https://youtu.be/jQMoLl3g8VI?t=11

 

Edited May 8, 2019 by JohnG305
more clarity

[RockyAussie]

Are you thinking that the Yamata FY 810. will allow you to stitch around on a made up sneaker? This type of post machine will allow good manoeuvring on an upper when it is out flat but will not be any use for getting around the toe area. The video you mention is using a different machine where you see it going around inside the shoe. The type shown there is way more expensive. You can get some shoe patching machines to do it that are quite cheap but the quality of stitch can be very erratic and takes a long to get any good at. Other than that goggle Robin Industries and have a look at their selection. They have both types.  http://www.robinindustry.com/

[Wizcrafts]

What you want is the Robin SP168 Sidewall Stitcher.

[JohnG305]

Rocky and Wizcrafts - thank you I appreciate the advice.

[ensitmike]

45 minutes ago, chrisash said:

Sorry but wearing those would make someone look a idiot, as everyone would know they are not LV and just a cheap miss match and badly done at that, I would expect LV to soon find out and take legal action for insulting there brand with such a cheap looking shoe

 

Have you seen what LV does now? Ever since Virgil Abloh its a bunch of tacky "supreme" street wear. Not to say they won't or shouldn't take legal action... but the brand has been cheapened. 

Unfortunately it is not John that is tacky... it is the market that is. 

[jimi]

I think you could get away doing this with a good patcher as you are not wanting to side wall stitch but only add the patch on top of the canvas as in the photo. Take a pair of vans and the patches to a shoe menders first and ask him to sew them on, then you could see how it would turn out. (After a lot of practice like rocky said) or you could even get him to sew them on for you instead of buying a machine?? 

[JohnG305]

Thanks Jimi, I think I need two machines-  a Singer 29K patcher to do the vans and then a post bed roller feed machine to sew leather uppers to make new shoes.  So I am searching for the Singer 29K Patcher. 

[dikman]

Besides the fact I wouldn't wear anything like that (what's wrong with cowboy boots anyway ) imo the stitching looks terrible. The needle size is way bigger than the "original" and gives it a perforated look. Maybe they should have used heavier thread?

[mikesc]

I agree with dikman ( except that I prefer "engineers" boots, or "work boots"..already broke both feet and some toes and had a few nails in my feet, and welding metal burns ) before deciding many years ago, that in the atelier, or anywhere at all outside..metal reinforced soles, metal toe caps, thick protective leather..is the way to go..
Sandals or bare feet in the house..I tried basket boot and sneaker styles, even the well made ones, inside the house..they last less than 3 months on my feet before they collapse or tear, or the soles begin leaving the uppers, or the soles split across the ball of the foot..Apparently they are made to be "looked at", not to be worn.
re the photos

this is the pinnacle of custom sneaker work

Looking at the "finish" , the cutting of the pieces, and the sewing and aligning of the pieces on the shoes that they have been added to, is very badly done..
A lot of work ( and risk when LVMH et al catch up to the wearers, sellers, "makers", "customisers"* ) just to wear a fake luxury item..

Badly done fake "bling"..

* I use the word "customiser" very loosely given the "tackiness" and the bad finishing, bad stitching..

Edited May 8, 2019 by mikesc

[nylonRigging]

 

1 hour ago, mikesc said:

* I use the word "customiser" very loosely given the "tackiness" and the bad finishing, bad stitching..

 

 

-

This Thread reminds me of something someone said to me about 30 years ago on my sewing . I was pretty green, My work and design was mechanically sound, but the 'aesthetics' of my stitching was lacking ..LOL .
So, I was pretty proud of the 1st item I sewn, and i took it someone who was well schooled in making the same type item that I just designed and sewn up .

She looked at me and said,  ..." Well.. I have seen worse work, out of better people ".
.

Edited May 9, 2019 by nylonRigging