Sewing Machine for Sewing Custom Sneakers

[mikesc]

^^^ :))
I'm thinking ( looking at both of those images at the top ) You ( OP ) could probably do nearly as well, ( if you really feel that you must :( ) if not better , with a speedy stitcher.

There was a girl on here a few months ago ( I forget her "nick" at the moment ) who made "truly" "customised" shoes ( someone was doing carving for her ) and she was adding ( by hand) all kinds of rhinestones, lace, feathers even I think, They were spectacular.."bling", but really spectacular, and original..

Made her own clothes too, talented, sort of Country / "Glam rock" meets Goth..
Reminded me of some of my girlfriends ( one in particular, who could have been her twin sister, was a fashion student at Hornsey College of Art, and later a designer ) back in the late 60s early to mid 70s.
Before "Goth" was a thing..or at least before it had a name..

Edited May 9, 2019 by mikesc

[bikermutt07]

12 minutes ago, nylonRigging said:

 

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

Now, that folks, is a mouthful.

[Techsew Ron]

On 5/8/2019 at 1:39 AM, JohnG305 said:

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

 

For customization and sewing patches onto existing shoes a patching machine would be the most popular choice. This type of machine allows you to sew into hard to reach areas and you can rotate the presser foot to sew in different directions. 

For shoe construction from scratch, you'll need a post bed, roller foot machine (preferably with reverse). The 810 type machines have a lower feed mechanism which feeds the material into the machine, with a roller foot to help guide and compress the material while sewing. You can sew 2-3 layers of thin/medium shoe leather with this type of machine. Maximum thread size on this type of machine is 92. For sewing thicker and more multi-layered materials you may want to look into a top and bottom feed machine with a gear driven roller feed.

As others have mentioned, a side wall sole stitcher is needed for sewing the upper to the sole.

Ron

 

Edited May 9, 2019 by Techsew Ron

[JohnG305]

Hi Ron, Thank you so much!!!! You helped me out enormously. Someday I may be able to afford a side wall sole stitcher but the Patcher is a less expensive way to get it done.  The 810 is half the price of a wheel feed so I may end up starting with a 810.  I didn't realize it had a lower feed mechanism. Thank you!

[JohnG305]

For the rest of the comments, I am laughing because I think ignorance is bliss. I am the blissful and ignorant one LOL!! Hilarious. Obviously I am am so green I know if I stick with this I can look back at this thread and laugh at myself trying to sew fake vinyl onto a cheap shoe. 

 

Edited May 9, 2019 by JohnG305

[JohnG305]

Guys, look at the 2nd shoe in the photo and the detail. It looks great to me. It is made completely by hand by Japanese cobbler.  I don't think he made these with the Singer Patcher. 

[JohnG305]

22 hours ago, dikman said:

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?

Yeah cowboy boots are eons ahead of these shoes, I am making them to sell and make $75 a pair. Maybe the heavier thread would work or a different color. I think the people buying them aren't as picky as we are because there is a lot of room for improvement, but kids are spending an extra $100 to have fake fashion fabric on their Vans. 

Edited May 9, 2019 by JohnG305

[mikesc]

If you make these,as you admit "fakes" you'd better put a lot of money aside for when LVMH catch up with you..It isn't because "everyone is doing it" or because "kids are spending an extra $100 to have fake fashion fabric on their vans" that it makes it either right or wise to make fakes. of other peoples designs.

I'd rather be honest than pretend to be blissfully ignorant that I was making fakes..

[Alexis1234]

I just saw on social media today - tack makers discussing where to get the LV  logo "leather/vinyl... they don't seem to care  if it's fake as long as it sells their bronc nosebands and tack sets .

[JohnG305]

Thank you Alexis. That is interesting that they are using  like the custom LV logos on saddles.