HOW IS A LEATHER NEEDLE DESIGNED FOR ITS PURPOSE

How is a leather needle designed for its purpose .Leather needles are spear shaped to help cut the leather as the stitch is being formed. If you try to sew leather and faux leather with for example an ordinary size 110 needle the machine will struggle. So by using a leather needle the machine will be able to sew more easily. Leather needles are thin, cylindrical metal tools with one sharp point, and one eyelet, used to securely draw thread through holes in leather, utilized in hand and machine sewing. They are available in a range of thicknesses, lengths, with varying-shaped-points, and varying sizes eyelets. Leather needles cost generally a few dollars for a few needles.

Leather needles are 1-2” cylindrical metal objects having a diameter of .035-.063”.  Hand sewing needles have a hole formed at one end of the cylinder; called an eye, and typically a blunt end for pushing through pre-made hole of item being sewn.  Sewing machine needles are similarly shaped, except the point used to push through item being sewn is sharp and the eye is near the sharp tip.  The other end is designed to be fitted into the sewing machine. Thread is passed through the eye for stitching.

Leather needles are sometimes referred to as Glover’s needles because years ago they were used by Glovers, who specialized in the art of hand making gloves. These needles are still used today, especially in all types of leather work including shoe making and shoe repairs, belts and leather garments. Leather needles have a triangular point, which enables them to pierce and pass through tough materials such as leather, suede and vinyl without tearing.

TYPES OF LEATHER NEEDLES FOR HAND SEWING – HOW TO DESIGN LEATHER NEEDLES FOR YOUR PURPOSES

• Glovers Needles

Glover needles are named thusly due to glove-makers use of them.  Glover needles are one of the few hand sewing needles that have a sharp point for penetrating leather as it is sewn.  They have triangular points on one end and an eye for thread on the other.  They are generally used for sewing hide and buckskin articles together. Useful for sewing suede or buckskin jackets, vests, or moccasins.

• Leather Lacing Needle

Lacing needles are used for lace, as opposed to thread, for items with pre-made holes in a leather article.  Lacing needles would be used for decorative work on belt edges, purses, holsters, or any number or items which may appear more rugged in nature. There are two main types of lacing needles; 2-prong and Perma-Lok.  2-prong needles are made using two flat pieces of metal sandwiched together; one slightly longer.  One end is pointed, the other end, with one piece longer than the other, allows them to be separated so that lace can be placed between them.

• Harness Needle

Cylindrical in shape with a blunt point on one end and eye for thread on the other, harness needles are the main needle type used when stitching leather using thread.  Sizes vary and are selected based on the eye size which determines the thickness of the thread which can be used.

• Curved Leather Needle

Curved leather needles are similar to harness needles except they are not straight.  Sometimes they are semi-circle shaped or S-shaped.  Sizes vary to accommodate thread thickness.  Their primary use is sewing leather pieces that are on different planes.

• Leather Sewing Awl

Leather sewing awls are used to manually make holes in leather allowing needle and thread to pass through it.  Awls are advantageous for leather thicker than ¼” and curved or hard to reach areas that may be difficult to punch holes with stitching irons.

TYPES OF LEATHER MACHINE SEWING NEEDLES – HOW TO DESIGN LEATHER NEEDLES FOR YOUR PURPOSE

How is a leather needle designed for its purpose .Machine needles have a special shank that allows it to seat in a sewing machine.  There are a two main shank styles, flat and round.  Depending on the model of sewing machine one has will determine the shank style.

• Diamond Point

Diamond point needles are used for heavy, dry leather and will actually cut through the leather instead of separating the fibers.  This is helpful for thicker leathers.

• Round Point

Round point needles have a conical sharp point that pierces the leather, leaving a round hole for the thread to pass through.

• Twist Point

Twist point needles incise the leather diagonal to the stitching line.  It allows for uniformity, especially in footwear, as well as a very finished look.

• Cutting Point

Cutting point is a category of cross, wedge, twist, diamond, cross point, and triangular points.  Some are used for 2-needle stitching, while others provide a decorative finish.

• Cross Point

Cross point needles allow for very straight seams for use in footwear, belts, car seats, large garment bags, and straps.  The actual perforation direction follows the seam.

WHICH MACHINE CAN USE LEATHER SEWING NEEDLE – HOW THE LEATHER NEEDLE IS DESIGNED FOR ITS PURPOSE

How is a leather needle designed for its purpose .Most popular sewing machine brands (Brother, Janome, Singer, etc.) have sewing machines that can handle simple leather projects at home with a few tweaks, such as using leather sewing needles, a roller or walking foot, and stronger thread. If you want to sew leather at home, you’ll want a durable sewing machine that can easily pierce leather.

If you are looking for a sewing machine that you will use exclusively for sewing leather, there are several companies that make industrial sewing machines specifically for sewing leather (Juki and Consew are two examples). These machines tend to be more expensive than a standard sewing machine, but they sew thicker leathers more easily and have additional features that make sewing leather easier.

No matter what type of sewing machine you use, always test it on a piece of leather before sewing a project to make sure the tension is correct and the stitch length meets your requirements. 4423 Heavy Duty sewing machine that can handle the stress that working with leather creates.

DIFFERENT BRANDS OF LEATHER SEWING MACHINE NEEDLES – HOW TO DESIGN LEATHER NEEDLES FOR YOUR PURPOSE

• Schmetz Leather Needles. Schmetz is a well-known brand of sewing needles, and their leather needles are some of the best on the market. These needles are made of high-quality materials and are designed to be durable and long-lasting. Schmetz offers the broadest range of leather needles of any brand, making them a good choice for sewists who want to have a wide selection to choose from. These needles are also a good value, as they are priced competitively with other brands. Schmetz needles are a great choice for those who want high-quality, durable, and affordable leather needles.
• Singer Leather Needles. Singer is a trusted brand in sewing, and their needles are of good quality. They’re known for their high quality and durability, but they don’t always work with other sewing machine brands. So it’s important to check the compatibility before you buy. Singer needles are available in a variety of sizes, so you’re sure to find the right needle for your project.
• Organ Needles. Organ leather needles are compatible with many brands of sewing machines. If you’re unsure whether or not they will work with your machine, be sure to check the label before purchasing them. Organ leather needles are known for their sharpness and durability, making them ideal for sewing through tougher fabrics such as leather and vinyl. They also come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different leather thicknesses.

CONCLUSION

How is a leather needle designed for its purpose.  While standard universal needles run the risk of malfunctioning, breaking, and damaging the skin, leather needles have a specialized design that allows them to easily pass through the skin without damaging or breaking. With leather needles, you can achieve consistently beautiful results every time you work with leather or other similar materials like faux leather or vinyl.