5 Best Leather Sewing Machines For Beginners

When it comes to leather sewing, not all sewing machines are the same, which is why I put together this guide to the best leather sewing machines for home sewers!

Some sewing machines can handle leather perfectly, while others will drag and mark the leather in such a way that it can no longer be used – the machines recommended here are the best leather sewing machines.

5 Best Leather Sewing Machines

You can find various sewing machines online that claim to sew leather. However, it can be difficult to choose the right one for genuine leather.

Therefore, we have collected some of the best leather sewing machines, which will be discussed below.

SINGER | 9960 Sewing & Quilting Machine With Accessory Kit

Home sewers have finally found an electronic sewing machine that meets the latest technological advances of the 21st century, called the Singer 9960.

The singer has a long history of making sewing machines, so it’s no wonder they will become leaders in heavy-duty leather sewing machines.

The Singer 9960 is classified as a computerized sewing machine that can help you make over 600 stitches. There are so many stitches that come with this leather sewing machine that you probably won’t even be able to use them all.

For those who tend to work on advanced sewing projects, you will find the decorative stitch length and letter stitch options to be extremely useful. You can embroider these more advanced designs on thick fabrics, including leather.

The screen displays a visual representation of what the finished product will look like and a hint on which presser walking foot to use.

To select the desired stitch, all you need to do is press the button related to the desired stitch length, and you can start your sewing project. I first decided to try out the Singer 9960 and sewed the eight most commonly used stitches on a piece of leather fabric. I was genuinely pleased with the results.

Sturdy frame

The internal frame of the Singer 9960 is made from heavy-duty metal to keep the machine running at optimum performance. The firm keeps the internal mechanisms working in constant alignment, so you can sew without gaps.

Functions:

• Maximum 850 stitches per minute.
• Additional table.
• 13 buttonhole styles.
• 600 built-in stitches.
• 25-year limited warranty.
• Comes with sewing accessories.
• Electronic autopilot option.

SINGER | 7258 Sewing & Quilting Machine With Accessory Kit

The Singer Quantum Stylist 7258 handles a variety of projects and, with heavy-duty needles, can stitch and embroider leather with ease.

Over 600 built-in stitches and the previously mentioned cover stitch option provide one of the highest levels of machine versatility. Although the machine produces up to 850 stitches per minute, it should be used more slowly for leather and heavy fabrics.

Functions:

• 600 built-in stitches.
• The additional table is included.
• Universal, not only for the skin.

Brother ST150HDH Sewing Machine, Strong & Tough, 50 Built-in Stitches, LCD Display, 9 Included Feet

Brother is a brand that needs no introduction. And that’s because of the high-quality sewing machines it makes. One such machine is the PQ1500SL.

This is a premium sewing and quilting machine. Thanks to the large workspace, which you can expand with an additional table, you can practice freehand quilting. Thanks to the spacious workspace, you can work efficiently with thick and heavy leather upholstery.

When stitching longer leather or multiple layers, you will appreciate the 4 built-in rack positions. By adjusting the thread pressure dial, you will be able to change the position of the feed dog to better suit your sewing project. This not only ensures a uniform stitch, but also saves time.

Thus, it is an ideal sewing machine for leather upholstery.

Another feature that saves time is the high-speed motor. The sewing speed can reach 1500 stitches per minute. It also has an automatic thread trimmer and a built-in needle threader.

With the sewing and quilting machine, you get a wide range of accessories. It includes 7 presser walking foot, a knee lifter, a fabric divider, a set of needles, screwdrivers, and an easy-to-follow manual.

The PQ1500SL is guaranteed to last a long time with a 25-year warranty period. Even though the machine is a little pricey, it is well worth it because of its versatile sewing capabilities.

Characteristics:

• Brand – Brother.
• Type – Sewing and quilting.
• Material – Metal.
• Managed by an electrician.
• Weight – 29.76 pounds.

Brother ST371HD Sewing Machine, Strong & Tough, 37 Built-in Stitches, Free Arm Option, 6 Included Feet

This best leather sewing machine is not only reliable and durable for leather and other fabrics such as denim and canvas, but can also sew lighter fabrics beautifully.

The addition of various best leather sewing machine feet means you won’t need to buy many extra accessories.

Specification:

• Automatic needle threader.
• 37 different stitch options.
• 800 stitches per minute.

Singer | Heavy Duty 4411 Sewing Machine

The second Singer on this list of leather sewing machines is heavier than the Singer 4423 we reviewed first.

With a strong internal frame – made of metal! This car is a bit of a beast under the plastic.

Specification:

• 11 stitch types to choose from.
• Comes with four presser feet.
• Top loading bobbin.

Janome HD3000 Heavy Duty leather Sewing Machine

The second Janome HD3000 Heavy Duty sewing machine to make this list of the best sewing machines for leather!

This is another great basic mechanical machine from Janome that can sew leather and other fabrics.

Specification:

• 18 stitch types.
• Loop option.
• Fasten the presser feet.

Sewing machine for leather with a walking foot Consew 206RB-5

If you are thinking about convenience both in cost and in the quality of the sewing work done, then the Consew 206RB-5 leather and upholstery leather sewing machine is your best choice. The machine sews both light and heavy materials, including leather, synthetics, upholstery, vinyl, and canvas.

With the help of the machine, you can produce a variety of products. These are outerwear, sports equipment, tops, bags, handbags, upholstery for cars, boats and furniture, sails, tents, and canvas shoes.

Regardless of the thickness of the fabric, you can successfully sew products. You can always adjust the needle plate or machine walking foot to suit any special sewing task. In addition, it has a powerful motor that increases the sewing speed of the machine, helping you to work faster.

The arm lubrication function ensures smooth operation by reducing vibration and does not affect the stitch length when using this great leather sewing machine.

What else? This is an affordable kit that comes with a fully assembled table and clutch motor.

All of the above great features make the Consew 206RB-5 one of the best walking foot sewing machines for leather.

Best Premium Leather Sewing Machine Juki TL-2010Q

The TL-2010Q is a state-of-the-art high-performance machine that rivals many entry-level industrial devices.

As a single-needle mechanical lockstitch machine, it can handle a variety of sewing projects, including leather. So whether you’re repairing a leather belt or embroidering a new pattern on your purse, this premium tool will serve you well.

To enable you to handle thicker layers, it has a knee lifter arm. In this case, you can raise the presser feet up to 12 mm. This way, you can sew multiple layers of fabric together.

The TL-2010Q is equipped with an automatic needle threader and thread trimmer to speed up the sewing process. The first allows you to instantly thread the needle for the leather sewing machine, and the second cut the threads at the end of sewing.

The machine has ample working space of 23 inches, making it ideal for quilting. There is LED lighting to help you with visibility.

Despite being a commercial-grade machine, it is surprisingly light. This was made possible thanks to the aluminum body and thoughtful design. You can take it with you anywhere and get to work.

Characteristics:

• Trademark – Juki.
• Type – Single needle lockstitch.
• Material – Aluminum.
• Managed by – Traddles.
• Weight – 25.4 pounds.

The best leather sewing machine for commercial use Juki DU-1181N

Need a real industrial sewing machine workhorse at an affordable price? Look no further than the Juki DU-1181N.

This is an industrial sewing machine walking foot sewing machine. Equipped with a presser foot, these machines are ideal for sewing multiple layers of fabric together.

In addition, it has a triple feed mechanism. It consists of a top, bottom, and needle feed mechanism, making it ideal for working on a wide range of materials, including leather.

Thus, you can use the DU-1181N for reliable sewing of any leather, regardless of its thickness. Has a stitch length of up to 9 mm.

Another impressive feature of this beast is its sewing speed. It can sew at a speed of 2000 stitches per minute, greatly reducing the time it takes to complete a project. Despite being an industrial sewing machine, it is incredibly quiet. You won’t hear much noise coming from it.

DU-1181N is supplied as a kit. You get a stand, table, drawer, sewing lamp, and various other accessories along with the machine head.

If you regularly sew thicker materials and are looking for an industrial sewing machine, this is the one for you.

Characteristics:

• Trademark – Juki.
• Type – Tablet industrial.
• Material – Metal.
• Managed by Traddles.
• Weight – 250 pounds.

What to look for when buying a leather sewing machine?

Now that you know what kind of sewing machine to buy, let’s look at what you need to check when buying a machine.

To make the process a breeze, here’s what to check when buying a leather sewing machine:

Type of

The first thing you need to check is the type of sewing machine. This is because it affects functionality and cost.

Besides your regular sewing machine, you should consider heavy-duty, computerized, and manufacturing sewing machines. You will come across three types of industrial units: cylindrical arm, flat platform, and rack.

The type, of course, depends on your preference, skill level, and budget. So make your decision wisely.

Feed mechanism

The next thing you should pay attention to is the feed mechanism. This is what pulls and feeds the material into the machine so that the needle can pierce it.

Of the three most common types of feed mechanism—combination feed, drip feed/regular feed, and needle feed—choose combination presser feet. It maintains the necessary pressure on the skin, which prevents its displacement during stitching.

Required components

Regardless of the type of sewing machine, it must have at least three components: Teflon feet, nylon thread, and a diamond point needle.

While you can always purchase them later, it’s best if they are included in the package. It can be assumed that the sewing machine is ideal for working with leather.

Maximum sewing machine thickness

Modern machines, especially those designed for home use, are limited by the thickness of the fabric they can sew. Some devices are designed to process up to ¼ inch. They are not suitable for thicker materials, even if you use a strong needle.

There is also the best sewing machine capable of sewing saddles up to 1″ thick. So pay attention to its maximum sewing thickness.

Thread sizes

Like thickness, the sewing machines are limited by the maximum thread size they can handle. Some devices are designed for smaller thread sizes only, while others can handle thread sizes up to 277.

Most powerful sewing machines are capable of working with threads up to size 415. That is why they are recommended for the leather sewing machine.

Needle dimensions

Last but not least, you need to consider the maximum needle size. The heavy-duty devices can handle up to size 27 needles, which is enough to sew most types of sewing leather. On the other hand, home sewing machines are limited to 20 or 22 thread sizes. This may not be enough.

Based on the above criteria, you should choose the best sewing machine for leather.

What is needed for sewing machine leather?

When it comes to sewing for leather, as well as a sewing machine that can work with leather, you will also need the right needle.

A universal needle is not suitable for a leather sewing machine – you need a sewing leather needle that is designed differently and allows the needle to “cut through” the sewing leather.

You’ll also want to use the right thread when sewing machine for leather, and I find leather-friendly glue or sewing leather glue to be helpful as well, as well as a stitch roller!

The best sewing machines for leather (for home sewers)

Here are the top three sewing machines for home seamstresses who want to sew leather on their home sewing machines. Read on for more detailed reviews!

1. Best in price

Sewing machine SINGER 4423:

• 23 loops and a loop.
• Great for leather and other heavy fabrics.
• 25-year warranty.

2. Best for reviews

Janome HD3000 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine:

• Metal gears instead of regular nylon
• 18 stitch types and one buttonhole
• Great for medium to thick skin.

3. Best for serious sewers

JUKI DDL8700H High-Speed Lockstitch Machine:

• Industrial sewing machine.
• Works with leather and heavier materials.
• High speed (4000 rpm) for the intensive sewing machine.

Which sewing machine is best for leather?

Leather can be a difficult material to work with, especially if you are a beginner. It is thick, stable, and can be difficult to stick a needle into.

However, leather is one of the most inspiring and trendy materials used to create unique masterpieces. This requires an industrial leather sewing machine.

Industrial sewing machines use energy to stitch leather at will. They are typically industrial strength, allowing them to penetrate heavy, thick fabric and work for many hours without overheating.

They do not affect the stitch pattern, so the sewing machine becomes fun and fast. Proper maintenance of these sewing machines can also serve you for decades. Having the right sewing machine that sews leather helps beginners become pros in this fascinating field.

Can any sewing machine sew leather?

Many seamstresses who want to sew leather wonder if they should buy an extra machine. Isn’t a regular sewing machine enough to sew leather just like cloth? There are two parts to this question.

First, you can technically sew leather on a regular home sewing machine.

All you need is a fairly strong needle, the right thread, and the right walking foot. With these things in place, you can quickly sew most types of leather.

This brings us to the second part, the type and thickness of the skin.

Skin thickness ranges from 0.3 mm for snakeskin to 7 mm for frenulum. Therefore, you need to take into account the type of skin.

An ordinary household sewing machine will cut through thin leather, about 1 mm thick or less. If you have an older purely mechanical unit, that’s even better. You will probably need to invest in a powerful sewing machine for thicker leather.

For upholstery and thicker leather 5 mm or more thick, you will probably need to invest in an industrial machine such as a flatbed machine. These machines are used in industrial environments to work on leather goods such as belts, wallets, belts, and leather jackets.

Therefore, before deciding to buy a sewing machine, look at the product specification and check the type and thickness of the leather.

Motor options for leather sewing machine

Most buyers, especially beginners, may not be able to sew the leather they buy on a household sewing machine. It is important to note that some home sewing available online can sew leather as advertised.

But the problem is related to the thickness of the fabric, as some of them only sew thin leather. This becomes a significant hindrance when you need to sew thick belts, holsters, chaps, etc.

For the successful sewing of leather, the power of the machine’s engine must be taken into account. The rotational power of the motor is responsible for the first stitch into the fabric, and the horsepower is responsible for how heavy or light the stitch will be when sewing.

Generally, larger motors provide more power and a higher level of sewing efficiency. The motor can sometimes be an annoyance when sewing from home. If this fails, you may need to crank the machine to continue sewing.

In the garment industry, servo motors and clutch motors are commonly used. Regardless of the type, the engine is installed under the work table on which your machine stands.

The motors are unique and differ in their characteristics, but provide the same power for the sewing process. For example, the clutch motor runs continuously when the sewing machine is turned on or in use. This way you will be able to hear the hum of the clutch motor.

On the contrary, the servomotor will not work until you depress the pedal, allowing you to control the sewing process. Let’s look at two engines.

Servo motor

The servo motor has been designed to make sewing more controlled. This helps reduce the cost of running the sewing machine on 110-volt circuits.

Early developments of this type of engine made a lot of noise when started and were prone to failure. Fortunately, this problem has been eliminated thanks to new control technologies.

Clutch motor

The clutched motor has been used in the clothing industry for many decades. This is a powerful and reliable motor that allows you to use the sewing machine for a long time. it always runs at full speed. However, it develops its torque when you put it into the machine.

The floor pedal helps control the clutch motor while sewing. You can use the adjustable lever coming out of the bottom of the motor and hold it in place with a leg square with a bar. Moving your toe towards the floor of the pedal will engage the clutch, thus turning the car.

Beginners will take some time to learn how to operate clutch motors, so use caution when using clutch motors.

FAQ

Can Singer Heavy Duty sew leather?

Yes, the Singer Heavy Duty sewing machine can sew leather, but it’s not the best on this list.

Which Juki machine is best for leather?

In my opinion, the best sewing machine for leather is the Juki DDl8700H, followed by the Rex walking foot machine, but I say this as a professional used to industrial sewing machines.

If you prefer a household sewing machine for home sewing, then the Janome HD3000 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine is a great option.

Can a Bernina sew leather?

Yes. This sewing machine is not only reliable and durable for leather and other fabrics such as denim and canvas, but can also sew lighter fabrics beautifully.

Which industrial sewing machines for leather and upholstery are best for heavy-duty applications?

1. Consew 206RB-5.
2. Juki DNU-1541.
3. Reliable 4000SW.
4. Juki DDL-8700.

What kind of needle do you need to sew upholstery leather?

Single solid leather needles are usually 110/18. You need a very sharp needle with a coating such as titanium nitride to make your needle last longer. A dull needle will greatly affect the sewing machine’s speed, which will change the stitch length.

Is it possible to sew leather on a home sewing machine?

The technical answer is YES, but… you might find it harder if you don’t change the stitch length, and thread type, and switch to a leather needle. If you plan on the leather sewing machine to fabric, I would recommend that you use faux leather, which is softer and easier to process on a standard home sewing machine.

Can a standard sewing machine be used?

You can try sewing leather on a regular machine, but you may find that the leather sticks, that the feed dog makes marks on the leather, or that the needle breaks.

Often this happens because a conventional sewing machine does not have enough power to feed the needle and thread through the skin.

What sewing machine do I need to sew leather?

Ideally, you will need a powerful leather sewing machine – these machines have more powerful motors and can pierce leather more easily with a special leather needle.

Conclusion

The detailed discussion above will help expand your knowledge of what makes a good quality leather machine.

To quickly determine the best leather sewing machine for beginners, consider personal needs and factors, including the budget you will be working from and the thickness of the fabric, among other things. This ensures that you get the right sewing machine that will give you the best results from your sewing machine efforts.

In addition, the type of product you want to sew determines the type of leather. For example, for caps, shoes, and bags, a leather-on-the-bed machine may be needed, as it can penetrate the most difficult areas of the product.

Although home sewing machines capable of working with leather can work with leather fabrics, they may not give you perfect products, and in the worst case, ruin your expensive leather. Thus, look for a real walking foot machine for your skin. Such a sewing machine should have triple/combination feed, double feed, jump feed, or presser walking foot feed.

The thickness of the leather and your preferences will help you decide between a servo sewing machine and a clutch motor. It is also good that there are inexpensive sewing machines on the market. Thus, you can find inexpensive leather sewing machines for your needs.

Make the right choice and look for the best leather sewing machine from the list we have reviewed above.

Read also: 17 Different Types of Sewing Machines and Their Uses