Top-grain leather: This leather is the second layer of the hide and is thinner and more pliable than full-grain leather. Stretch needles are a “specialty” version of a ballpoint needle and thus also do not damage stretch fabrics when sewing. Ball Point (Style 2045) needles are used for sewing on knits; the rounded tip allows the needle to pass between the fabric threads by separating them. (Using a regular point needle on knit fabric will result in skipped stitches and fabric damage, causing it to curl.) Ideally you will avoid cotton thread when machine sewing leather. This is because the natural tannins in leather will gradually destroy this natural thread. Instead, use polyester thread or nylon thread for better results.

However, since each type of fabric comes in multiple weights, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of which needle to use for each type of fabric. Stretch needles are slightly less rounded at the tip than ballpoint needles and are useful for preventing skipped stitches on elastic materials such as rib knit, Lycra, or spandex. Most leather sewing machine needles for home sewing machines come in sizes 90/14, 100/16, and 110/18. While the above three general-purpose sewing needles cover many projects, there are also specialty needles that accomplish certain tasks even better. I’ve even put together a free printable sewing machine needle chart that you can print out at the end of this post to keep next to your machine for future reference!Whether they are curved at the end, shaped like an s-curve, or curved in a semi-circle, these needles help to reduce the effort and stress involved in sewing leather items. So if you’re working on a project that involves sewing leather products or accessories, be sure to keep these curved needles in your toolkit. You should consider either a teflon foot, a roller foot or a walking foot all of which will make sewing leather easier With your stitching lines marked, it’s time to create your stitch holes. Using a leather punch or an awl, make evenly spaced holes along your stitching line. Be mindful to punch through to the other side in one smooth motion to avoid ragged holes. This is where the glue will adhere and where your stitches will be placed, so precision is key. Step 3: Thread the Needle

It sews incredibly fast — at 1,100 stitches per minute — and is just as easy to use as any other Singer sewing machine. There are several brands of sewing machine needles that are known for their quality and effectiveness when it comes to sewing leather. One of the most popular brands is Schmetz. They offer a variety of needle sizes and types specifically designed for leather sewing. Other brands to consider include Singer, Janome, and Organ. Online Shopping Tips Use longer stitcheswith leather. If your stitch length is short you will be perforating the leather too frequently, which could weaken it. Faux leather can be a good substitute for real leather in some cases. It is generally cheaper and easier to clean than real leather, and is blemish-free. But it is also likely to be less durable, and you simply can’t beat a product made from real leather. The amazing smell of real leather is another selling point! Choosing a Suitable Sewing Machine

This can be an indication that your needle is too large for the weight of the fabric. Change to a smaller needle size.