Photo Image: Mary Ray
Feeling skiddish about the prospect of sewing leather with your household sewing machine? Well, here’s the skinny–If your machine leans more towards old and heavy rather than shaky, lightweight and full of plastic parts, chances are you can do it. Test it out first, but there’s a leather sewing tutorial over on Craftsylish you just have to try.
You’ll need to collect some leather scraps or vintage leather garments so you can make a bunch of these important looking journal covers for all your favorite scribing chums. All you need to do is to make three little helpful adaptations for your sewing machine:
1. Replace the sharp or universal needle with a leather specific needle
2. Thread the top part of your machine and the needle with upholstery thread and use regular thread for the bobbin (just learned from an costume maker)
3. I’ve never had to do this, but it’s suggested that a roller presser foot be attached so the leather moves under the needle easier.
File this in your Handmade Gift Idea folder. It’s a winner.
Once you start sewing with leather, you can make all sorts of handy cases like an i Phone case, pouch for your belt, change purse, glasses case…
