Sewing Leather - Frustrated!?

Question

I am sewing some box cushion covers in leather and have invested in leather needles and topstitch thread. However i am now finding that although the stitching on top is perfect the underside is looped and uneven, I have adjusted the tension every which way and it isnt helping, I have tried normal thread and that doesnt help either.

I know it is best to buy a leather or Teflon foot but I cant get one delivered before these cushions are supposed to be finished, does anyone know how to stop this happening.

Thanks and sorry for such a dull question!

Answer 1

I just (about a month ago) made a new motorcycle seat cover with a regular size 16 needle and heavy duty thread using my little Brother I got new from Walmart for $90. I was surprised by how well it did. I used the shortest stitch length and went slowly allowing the feed dogs and presser foot pull the leather thru. It took a while and I had to go over some places where the stitches skipped but all in all it was a simple job.

It sounds as tho your top tension isn't quite tight enough.

Sorry that's all I know. Good Luck.

Answer 2

try waxing the thread with proper beeswax.....

Answer 3

you kind of really need the correct foot, unfortunately.

the only thing i can recommend is that you slowly run the panels through the machine to make sure that your threads don't gather up. you are going to have to stop a lot and make sure that everything is coming through okay.

make sure that you use less stitches per inch rather than more stitches per inch. longer stitch lines are easier and faster to sew when sewing leather together.

or, you can hand stitch everything together.

Answer 4

I have recovered motorcycle seats and such...one of the tips I have is to put paper between the feed dogs and leather and even sometimes between the pressure foot and leather. It makes the leather slide through easier and you can choose to leave the paper in or not.  Try it on a scrap....good luck to you!

Answer 5

It's not the tension. There's a good chance the  bobbin thread is being pulled out of its little slot in the bobbin case.

I've never had to use a teflon foot, but I make sure I always use a  fresh needle that's meant for leather, a nice long stitch, and go quite slowly. Switch your machine to the slowest speed if it has an adjustment.

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