Are you a big fan of using leather to customize highly attractive accessories with a premium feel? However, the problem putting you in trouble is the thickness and frequent needle breaking or jamming of the sewing machine on working with leather. Do not worry. Here you go with some of the Sewing Machines for Leatherwhich I found after surfing the whole market and the internet.
Let’s first discuss that different materials require a change of features in the sewing machine according to its composition. Leather is hard to tackle and cannot be sewn with an ordinary sewing machine. A Best Sewing Leather Machine would do the job. I have already bought a sewing machine for this purpose, and it is your turn to grab one. Here you go with a list of pro machines for leather to make your buying experience easier.
Before starting the actual review of our top 7 picks for the best sewing machines for leather, here is our straightforward recommendation for the most commonly inquired types of leather sewing machines.
IMAGE | PRODUCTS | PRICE |
---|---|---|
#1 Best Over All
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Singer Heavy Duty 4452
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
#2 Best High End
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Brother Strong & Tough ST150HDH
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
#3 Best Cheap
|
Singer Heavy Duty 4411
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
Top 7 Sewing Machines for Leather: Professional Sewer’s Review
I am able to make this comprehensive list based on my 12 years of sewing experience and shared experience with many of my colleagues.
First, I will discuss some of the best leather sewing machines for standard to semi-commercial usage. Then I will review the best leather sewing machine for commercial and industrial sewing machines separately. So, let’s have a look at all these machines.
Stitching leather does not require a lot of stitch variations, for which even a simpler yet powerful sewing machine can do an excellent job and save a lot of bucks. Looking for such a sewing machine, Singer 4411 was simply the best leather sewing machine for beginners.
This sewing machine has 11 basic built-in stitches that are enough for sewing and embellishment of leather fabric professionally. The stitch length adjustment works great for choosing the right stitch length to make secure stitching of leather.
But the best thing about this machine is its 60% more powerful motor that gives a top speed of 1100 stitches per second. Though I have used and reviewed a lot of machines, but I couldn’t find any other machine more powerful and faster in this price range.
The heavy-duty metal frame of the sewing machine is perfect for fabric like leather. The machine has an automatic bobbin winder with a transparent case to keep a look over the bobbin while stitching leather.
Also, it has an automatic needle threader for ultimate convenience and time-saving. Besides threading the thread in the needle, there is a proper guideline for easy thread installation throughout the sewing machine.
Accessories:
- 4 Different Presser Feet.
- Pack of Needles.
- Bobbins.
- Spool Caps.
- Auxiliary Spool Pin.
- Spool Pin Felt.
- Screwdriver.
- Seam Ripper.
- Highly economical in price.
- 60% more powerful motor with extra piercing power.
- Higher stitch speed of 1100 spm is suitable for semi-commercial usage.
- Highly durable construction.
- Available with a lot of accessories and variations.
- Lesser number of built-in stitches but sufficient for leather sewing.
The singer is one of the best sewing machines for leather due to convenient features like high speed and power, free arm, automatic needle threader, etc, and simpler stitch options, yet at a much more economical price.
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While looking for a more premium leather sewing machine, I found Janome’s Heavy Duty series. Janome is a well-known sewing machine brand that has industrial-grade sewing machines. Its HD-1000 is the baseline model of its heavy-duty series, providing a quality sewing experience.
I have had hands-on experience with this machine for quite some time, for which I can tell you for sure that it may look average on paper, but there is much more to its user experience. The machine comes with the basic 14 built-in stitches that are quite sufficient for the leather job. However, its motor piercing power and smoothness are remarkable.
Though it has a stitch speed of 840 pm, which is slower than others on the list, its stitch quality and smoothness are much better than most heavy-duty machines.
Practically, when it comes to sewing leather, you can neither use high stitch speed nor many stitch options, and the stitch quality and motor power are the dominant factors. And it has the same powerful motor as Singer’s Heavy Duty series.
Accessories:
- 4 Different presser feet.
- Bobbins and extra needles.
- Screwdrivers.
- Seam rippers,
- Softcover.
- High-quality effortless stitching.
- A workhorse with a heavy motor.
- Durable body with premium construction.
- Low noise and vibrations while operating.
- A bit expensive in price.
- Lesser number of stitches, but sufficient for leather sewing.
- Comes with a front load bobbin, the loading of which requires the accessory box to be removed.
Janome HD1000 is one of the best sewing machines for leather with its sturdy design and premium sewing experience. The machine is a perk for people who want a heavy-duty sewing machine for regular usage.
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With the advancement in technology, you might be looking for a computerized sewing machine that is much more convenient to use and have more stitch options and features. However, most computerized sewing machines are not that powerful to be used on leather. For this, I had to struggle a lot to find the best-computerized sewing machine for leather.
After thorough research over the internet and their reviews, the only machine that I think of recommending is Brother ST150. I had already used the much simpler model of the Brother Strong and Tough series, i.e. Brother ST371, which was great but not computerized. However, ST150 took sewing leather to the next level with its 50 built-in stitches.
The best thing I experienced in this machine was its smooth and quiet performance due to its sturdy design and heavyweight. I have found that lightweight sewing machines vibrate a lot, and while stitching heavy fabric, they make a lot of irritating noise. However, this is not the case for Brother ST150.
Its metallic body is paired with a high-quality motor, which goes great to handle heavy sewing such as leather without any vibrations for a convenient stitching experience. Besides that, the motor is highly powered, enabling it to run through the layers of leather in no time.
Also. the needle plate is designed for smooth fabric feeding so that there is no tangling while sewing. A set of heavy-duty needles is available with the machine, which does not break while piercing through heavy layers of leather.
The machine comes with free 6 different presser feet with the capability of height adjustment to easily keep the layers of leather smoothly moving while stitching. Lastly, it has a speed control slider bar that is rare in heavy-duty sewing machines and adds a lot to the comfort.
Accessories:
- 9 Different Presser Feet.
- Pack of Needles.
- Bobbins.
- Auxiliary Spool Pin.
- Spool Pin Felt.
- Screwdriver.
- Seam Ripper.
- Completely computerized sewing machine.
- Highly intuitive to use.
- Smooth and noiseless operation.
- Highly durable construction.
- A bit expensive but worth buying due to its premium features.
- Not suitable for commercial use.
Brother is a well-known brand that works great to provide high-quality stitching and produce the best sewing machine for leather. The brother ST150 HD is a great machine for enthusiasts looking for the best-computerized leather sewing machine for daily sewing chores.
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Now, I rank this machine as the overall best leather sewing machine as I have been using this machine for my personal usage for years now and couldn’t find any better alternative. This machine is identical to 4411 but has a larger number of stitch options and is the most premium sewing machine in the Singer Heavy Duty series.
If you think that 11 basic built-in stitches are not enough, this machine gives you 32 built-in stitch options, making it an all-purpose sewing machine. Also, its simplicity and convenience are equally suitable for a beginner or an advanced user.
My experience with this machine has always been great. With its high-presser foot, I can sew multiple layers of thick fabrics, including denim, leather, and vinyl. Also, due to its powerful motor, whereas other machines struggle to stitch and make a lot of noise, this machine stitches leather smoothly and effortlessly.
It has the same 60% more powerful motor and high speed of 1100spm that makes it even suitable for semi-commercial usage and cottage industry.
Accessories:
- 4 Different Presser Feet.
- Pack of Needles.
- Bobbins.
- Spool Caps.
- Auxiliary Spool Pin.
- Spool Pin Felt.
- Screwdriver.
- Seam Ripper.
- Comparatively high stitch speed and power.
- Economical in price with great value for money.
- Drop-In bobbin for easy thread loading.
- Clear bobbin cover for thread inquiry.
- Rigid support for perfect alignment.
- Available with a lot of accessories and variations.
- Stitch options are still far less than computerized sewing machines.
Singer 4452 is one of the best sewing machines for leather and can be easily used by professionals. All its additional stitch options come with just an additional $30, which offers great value for money in a compact package.
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Earlier, I discussed HD-1000, which was great, but its upgraded model is ever greater with many improvements. Janome HD-3000 is the most premium model in Janome’s heavy-duty series that I came to know recently. After an in-depth review of the product on the internet, I can say it is one of the best leather sewing machines for sure.
The first improvement that I noticed was its 19 built-in stitches which have moved to a sliding mechanism for stitch width and length, which are still the basics. However, Janome’s priority is still the stitch quality, which has improved a lot.
First of all, with its heavier weight and sturdy construction, it produces a lot lesser vibrations and noise. So you will feel even more comfortable experiencing it.
However, the best thing about this machine is its more powerful motor which is about 33% greater than other standard heavy-duty machines like Janome HD1000 and Singer 4452. And I have found its piercing power to be the greatest among any standard sewing machine.
Accessories:
- All-purpose Presser Foot.
- Protective Cover.
- Most powerful among standard sewing machines.
- Highly smooth and quiet operation.
- Premium quality stitch.
- Highly durable in construction.
- Relatively costlier.
- Still a limited number of built-in stitches but sufficient for leather.
Janome HD 3000 clearly the best leather sewing machine due to its highly powerful motor and great stitch quality. It is a premium model for people who want to work with leather at a domestic level with convenience.
Click Here to Check Recent Reviews from Actual Users.
Until now, I have only reviewed standard personal and semi-commercial sewing machines, but for more professional usage, you need a commercial sewing machine. My 12 years of experience have shown me that when it comes to commercial-level machine, there is clearly no parallels to the Juki.
Juki has a large number of commercial sewing machines with a large price and feature range. But as far as I have researched, Juki TL-2000i is the best commercial leather sewing machine due to its high price value.
First of all, it’s a highly durable machine with aluminum constructed body that adds to its durability and sturdiness. Also, due to its higher weight, it produces a lot lesser noise and vibrations, which enhances its life and performance.
The sewing machine has an automatic needle trimer that I found missing in many of Juki and other commercial machines. Likewise, an automatic needle threader lets the user eliminate the problem of putting the thread in the eye of the needle. Using this machine takes the user to a higher level of convenience.
Also, there is a knee lifter that enables the user to adjust the heavy fabric like leather by hand just by lifting it through the knees. The knee lifter lifts the presser foot to a good height, easily adjusting thick fabric layers.
Lastly, it’s pertinent to state here that this is a straight-stitch sewing machine, which is usually used for commercial purposes.
Accessories:
- Extra walking foot.
- Extra large extension table.
- Knee lifter.
- Bobbin set.
- Needles.
- Screwdrivers.
- Large harp space with an extension table offers work with large fabric.
- Automatic thread trimmer – rare in commercial machines.
- Automatic threader – rare in commercial machines.
- The supportive design is suitable for tabletop usage.
- Lightening speed of 1500 stitches per second.
- Quieter than most commercial sewing machines.
- Portable commercial sewing machine.
- Louder than standard sewing machines.
- Only a straight stitch, but that’s all for commercial usage.
- Expensive for non-commercial usage.
I found this sewing machine to be somewhere between a standard sewing machine and an industrial sewing machine, which has features of both and is ranked as one of the best Juki sewing machines for leather.
Click Here to Check Recent Reviews from Actual Users.
Lastly, for industrial usage, I could not find any better machine in terms of price value than Juki’s 8700H. It is one of the most popular industrial sewing machines with a DIY table and servo and lightning-fast sewing speed.
A highly durable body, when paired with an amazing motor, a sewing machine for leather can sew layers of thick clothes such as curtains and other materials like leather boots and bags, etc. All these materials can be stitched in a mere blink of an eye with a high stitch speed of 5500 stitches per minute.
The machine’s presser foot can be high, from 5.5 to 13 mm, enough to adjust layers of leather. These leather layers are adjusted easily and move smoothly while being stitched. A high presser foot makes it easy to control the cloth while stitching.
Accessories:
- Universal Sewing Foot
- Thread Stand.
- Bobbin Winder.
- Extra Bobbins & Needles.
- Knee Lifter.
- Knee lifter.
- Machine Oil.
- Complete Table Top Assembly.
- Screwdrivers.
- Super sturdy with solid metal construction.
- Best price value for an industrial sewing machine.
- Highest stitch speed in the list.
- Highly powerful to sew through thick seams.
- Comes with DIY table and servo.
- Too heavy, but that is how a good industrial machine to sew leather is made.
This is one of the best industrial sewing machines for leather that can be relied upon. It offers great speed, power, and durability, yet at a reasonable price.
Click Here to Check Recent Reviews from Actual Users.
Buying Guide to the Best Leather Sewing Machines.
Finding and buying the Best Sewing Machine For Leather cannot be easy. You must research and study the features to compile them with your needs. Here you go, with a buying guide to make your purchase easier.
Type Of Machine
Sewing leather is a hard job, but this does not mean that you cannot stitch it with a simple machine. Choosing a machine for leather depends upon how much you will use it.
Domestic Sewing Machine
If you want to make things with leather for your personal use in a small amount, a domestic sewing machine with a few specific features will go well for all that you need. You do not need to spend more on a professional sewing machine.
Professional Sewing Machine
A simple domestic sewing machine would not do the job if you aim to carry out leather sewing as a profession and want to earn a good amount. You need a heavy-duty professional sewing machine that can take more workload and conveniently make continuous stitches on leather.
Stitch Speed
Stitch speed is an important factor before buying a special sewing machine for leather. Leather is a hard fabric to handle and less forgiving as well. Suppose you make a mistake while sewing; mending it becomes a nightmare. Always keep the speed slow while sewing leather. It is recommended to go for a sewing machine with adjustable speeds. Stitch slowly at the beginner level and increase the speed once you become a pro.
High Presser Foot
Presser feet are the tools attached to the sewing machine used to keep the cloth in place while sewing. Thick material like leather requires a comparatively high presser foot. Even you have to work with two to three layers of leather sometimes. This fact requires more space for the cloth to adjust. A high-presser foot will work great, providing enough space and proper control over the leather.
Heavy Motor
Thick fabric is hard for the needles to pierce in it. Low power causes the continuous breakage of the needles. To help you tackle the needle breakage problem, it is always recommended to go for a sewing machine with a more energetic and powerful motor that can allow needles to pierce through multiple layers of fabrics smoothly.
Highly Metallic Body
A high-power motor is always paired with a good quality metal body. A good metallic body always supports the high-energy motor and gives a smooth sewing experience, even using thick fabric like leather and jeans. It makes the machine more durable and increases the quality simultaneously.
Extendable Table
Working on leather cannot only be done in a workplace with a normal sewing machine. It becomes hard to handle cloth. To help you get rid of the problem, most sewing machine brands offer an extension table with heavy-duty sewing machines. It is better to buy a sewing machine with an extension table to get enough space to work on the fabric conveniently.
Stitch Styles
Leather is plain fabric. It needs well-styled stitches to make it eye-catching. It is better to look for a machine with several built-in stitches, as these stitch styles will make your stitching experience more convenient with just one simple click.
I hope the buying guide might have helped you choose the sewing machine to sew leather efficiently and cover all your needs. Most of the above-given sewing machines for leather are loaded with features. You can choose any of them without a second thought.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Some of you might still be confused about a few of the most frequently asked questions. Here you go with the answers to elevate the confusion.
Conclusion
I hope you have got the best sewing machine for leather by now and have learned a lot from our comprehensive guide for selecting a leather sewing machine. See you soon with some more exciting information.
Hello, My name is Malinda Spicer. in my 10th grade, my granny gifted me a mechanical sewing machine. Since then, my whole life revolves around sewing. I made my hobby into a profession by getting a professional degree in fashion designing. I had learned quite well about sewing in the past 20 years. I hope to be of help by sharing these experiences and expert advice with my fellow sewers.