Choosing a Sewing Machine for Heavy Fabric and Leather

In everyday life, you may rarely need to use a sewing machine for leather. However, those who sew for sale or fulfill orders face this need more often. They need a quality sewing machine for leather and heavy fabrics. How to choose one is described in this article.

Is it possible to process leather materials on regular machines?

The use of leather requires different characteristics than in the case of processing ordinary fabrics. For example, the force required to puncture the fabric or leather must be much greater in the latter case.

There should also be differences in the design of the foot. If you need to stitch leather, the height of its lift should be higher. The mechanism for advancing the leather is also different.

Because of these and other differences, it is impossible to work with thick and dense fabrics on a conventional machine.

The best machines for home use

When considering regular-level machines for home use, you need to immediately understand that inexpensive devices cannot work with dense fabrics. Therefore, you will have to choose from more advanced brands.

AstraLux 7300 SE

This sewing machine for leather and thick fabrics is capable of handling such work well. More than 500 different actions are available when working on it. The seamstress can use more than ten types of loops. Specialized types of feet are provided. On this machine, it is possible to sew with a double needle if necessary.

If desired, you can use the help of a sewing assistant. Users note the high-quality stitches, convenience and ease of operation.

TOYOTA OEKAKI 50 Renaissance

This simple and effective model is designed for sewing thick fabrics. Various feet can be used here: for leather and suede, sewing on buttons, embroidery, zippers. A threader is provided, which significantly facilitates the seamstress's work.

This model is capable of sewing 12 layers of denim. It can work with leather of almost any thickness.

The control panel is relatively simple and is considered to be easy to use for a beginner.

Elna eXperience-570

This brand of sewing machine is made in Switzerland.

This computer-controlled machine can perform 200 different operations. It can make twelve types of loops. It has a foot changer, depending on the tasks that need to be solved. The design includes an auxiliary unit for threading and the ability to cut the thread. These options make the work more comfortable.

To master the capabilities of this device, it is possible to use a sewing adviser. A machine of this brand combines a wealth of possibilities and an inexpensive price.

Pfaff Ambition 1.5

Compared to brands with similar functionality, this machine is slightly cheaper. It includes:

• upper removable conveyor;
• The required pressure produced by the foot can be set.

This model has an advisor, provides for the execution of almost two hundred actions, is available for the execution of various lines, has a node that allows you to limit the speed of work. It provides the ability to sew without using a foot pedal.

One of the important advantages of this design is the relative ease of operation. Even a beginner can effectively use this device.

Janome Memory Craft-9900

If a beginner looks at this brand, he may think that it is too complicated. However, experienced workers often choose it. This machine is equipped with electronic control, providing the seamstress with many useful options. It can perform more than 600 actions necessary in the sewing process. Among them:

• all types of lines;
• assistance from a special advisor is provided;
• there are replaceable feet for performing various operations;

It is possible to regulate the speed of work using an electronic unit. It is possible to select the force with which the foot presses on the processed material. There is a special embroidery unit.

The maximum stitching speed is 1000 stitches per minute. Although the price of this model is relatively high, however, the recommendations of experienced workers claim that its capabilities correspond to devices with a much higher price. This device is able to work with several layers of leather folded together.

Best Industrial Sewing Machines

If you plan to perform sewing work with heavy fabrics at an industrial level, it makes sense to think about purchasing professional-grade devices. Although they have fewer capabilities compared to computer models, they nevertheless work better and more reliably.

Jack JK-6380

This design, designed for working with heavy and medium fabrics, has a relatively low price compared to models of this class.

The presence of a walking foot and an enlarged shuttle makes the work more qualitative. The working speed reaches 2800 stitches per minute. Ideal synchronization of the upper and lower feed is ensured. As a result, the shifting of the layers of fabric relative to each other is excluded.

At a low cost, the machine provides quality work and high reliability.

JUKI DSC-245U/X55278

This model is made in Japan. It has increased power characteristics and is highly reliable. The machine can handle heavy fabrics. It works almost silently and does not create vibration.

When sewing heavy fabrics in several layers, triple simultaneous feed of the processed material helps. The machine can reach a working speed of 2200 stitches per minute.

This model is designed for processing heavy fabrics.

ZOJE ZJ243

The cost of this sewing model is quite high. However, it can easily handle any heavy fabrics or leather. The design provides for the synchronicity of the foot and the walking bar. The device can work at a maximum speed of 800 stitches per minute, and this speed is maintained even when working with heavy fabrics.

Users note that even when working with multi-layer leather products, the stitching remains perfectly even.

This machine works efficiently and reliably, withstands heavy loads and operates without breakdowns for many years.

Typical GC6910A-HD3

This sewing machine for heavy fabrics is a new generation. It boasts a distinctive European look. The device is capable of handling difficult-to-process fabrics. Its design provides the ability to prevent needle breakage. This ensures the stability of the sewing machine.

This model provides a maximum operating speed of four thousand stitches per minute. The length of one stitch can be up to 7 millimeters.

This device can also be configured using a smartphone. To do this, it is enough to install a specialized application. Compared to household computer models, the cost of this sewing machine is relatively low.

Garudan GZ-539-407LM

This industrial sewing machine for leather and thick fabrics allows you to work with almost any type of heavy and dense fabric. With its help, you can not only process clothes, but also make shoes. The maximum number of revolutions is 5000 revolutions per minute. It is possible to program up to one hundred different patterns, each of which can contain up to 250 stitches.

It is important to note that this device is capable of working not only with dense fabrics, but also with thin ones.

Leather sewing tools and feet

To work with special fabrics, you need to use various auxiliary devices.

The feet used for leather must be able to feed the leather without shifting the layers, and help to obtain an even stitch with the same stitch length even under difficult conditions.

Leather sewing tools and technology

In order to ensure high-quality sewing of leather goods, it is not enough to use only a sewing machine. Additional tools can help with this.

To do this, you will need to use not only special needles, but also threads made of nylon, thick and strong.

In the process of work it will be necessary to cut the leather. It is more convenient to do this with a special shoe knife or use a similar construction knife for this.

In this work you will need to use leather glue. It is usually intended for fastening leather in seam allowances.

A special roller will be needed if it is necessary to smooth out the fold line on the leather before processing it on a sewing machine. This can also be done by tapping with a hammer or smoothing with the handles of scissors.

For working with leather and heavy fabrics, it is necessary to use the brands of sewing machines intended for this purpose. They are produced for both domestic and industrial use.

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