THE BEST SEWING MACHINE FOR LEATHER BAG
Sewing on the best sewing machine for leather bag is something I know a lot about! I spent 10 years as a handbag designer, sewing leather on home and industrial sewing machines. If you’re just doing a one-off project, you can get great results with a regular home sewing machine with just a few simple adjustments. However, if you want to sew leather on a regular basis, then it is very important to get the right leather sewing machine to ensure that your leather goods are durable and beautifully finished.
Leather is unforgiving – you can’t rip out any mistakes or bad stitching because the needle holes will bear an unkind reminder of your slip. So buying the right leather sewing machine is an important decision that will affect the quality of your work.
THE BEST SEWING MACHINE FOR MAKING LEATHER BAGS
Every part of the best sewing machine for making leather bag has its fun and challenges. From the research necessary to create a unique design to the final stages of make-up where the top stitching has to be so perfect. But amidst all that flurry of creativity is the technical magic that is pattern cutting. Some people find this the most boring and laborious part.
It’s wonderful to have a head full of incredible handbag design ideas, but they will never be realized if they are not technically possible to achieve. You could argue that this would definitely be resolved at the mockup stage and that the whole reason for creating mockups is to 1) be creative and 2) work out how and if something can be constructed, and yes, that’s true. . But there is something else that is very important and can make or break the suitability of what should be a much desired and valued product. And that something else is the standard of execution.
A newly purchased handbag will be examined inside and out. It will be caressed, smelled, hugged and placed in a place of honor. But really, that would only happen if it was also beautifully made. So now you could say it will depend on the skill of the person sewing it.
BEST SEWING MACHINE FOR LEATHER BAGS TYPES
There are 2 main types of best sewing machine for leather bag to choose.
- Domestic
Domestic sewing machines are designed for sewing thinner leather and are great for basic sewing if you are just starting out or plan to sew leather occasionally. A good leather sewing machine will cost you between $200 and $500 depending on the brand and other features it offers.
Due to the size of their work surface, home machines are best suited for smaller leather sewing projects such as bags and purses. It doesn’t matter if your fabric is bunched up when you sew it, but the leather can remain creased and creased.
- Industrial
The advantage of industrial machines is that they are made with quality metal and durable motors and parts that are designed for heavy use that will create beautiful stitching in your leather projects. In general, industrial leather sewing machines will handle much thicker threads and have longer stitches for professional results.
The downside is of course the cost. I have used both Singer and Juki industrial machines on leather and found both to do an excellent job. Expect to pay $1,500 to $2,500 for a quality industrial machine. Another downside that no one will ever tell you is that industrial machines are much harder on your body when used for long periods of time. It could be compared to driving a heavy truck vs. personal car.
POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING THE BEST SEWING MACHINE FOR LEATHER BAG
High presser foot lift – when sewing over intersecting seams and basting work under the presser foot, you often need extra when starting work.
Strong machine – Buy a machine with a strong motor and metal frame that is built to last. Singer and Janome make models with metal frames that are designed for heavy use.
Simple – Since your machine will be worked hard, buy a machine with manual knobs and a machine that is not computer controlled. There are fewer things to go wrong!
Reasonable Price – Accept that sewing leather will wear out any machine faster than sewing fabric on occasion. Eventually your machine will need to be replaced, so choose something you can afford and consider wear and tear as part of the cost of sewing leather. If you are sewing leather for craft shows or markets, include a portion of this amount in your item costing.
Inexpensive Service – If you sew leather regularly, your machine will need service more often, so choose a brand that is not difficult to service and can be repaired by a local technician without sending you away for a long time.
HOW TO MAKE QUALITY LEATHER HANDBAGS THE BEST SEWING MACHINE FOR LEATHER BAG
There are several stages in the preparation of the best sewing machine for leather bag or business bag, and each stage is very important in assembling a quality finished product. The initial phase that affects all others is the preparation phase. The bag is first assembled in a “raw” state using a design similar to a house plan, specifying the leather, color, pockets, lining, accessories, logo, etc.
Once the skins and linings are cut to the designated pattern, they will require further detailing to be ready for assembly. This phase of production also includes the sorting of all necessary accessories for the production of the bag, such as: ears and shoulder straps, dimensioning of zippers, sorting and selection of snaps and decorative rivets and trinkets. Once these steps are completed, the accessories are delivered to the craftsmen or women who assemble them, creating the skeleton of the finished product.
Leather pieces go through a “finishing” process after they have been cut. This process involves thinning, smoothing and sealing the pieces. The colloquial phrase “ski” is used to describe the thinning of each piece of skin. This is done with a small machine with two rollers, the skin is inserted between them and a piece is shaved off, thinning the skin.
Conclusion
Accept best sewing machine for leather bag, leather will wear out any machine faster than sewing fabric occasionally. Eventually your machine will need to be replaced, so choose something you can afford and consider wear and tear as part of the cost of sewing leather. If you are sewing leather for craft shows or markets, include a portion of this amount in your item costing. If you sew leather regularly, your machine will need service more often, so choose a brand that is not difficult to service and can be repaired by a local technician without sending you away for a long time.