Sewing leather

[VerityBrulee]

I bought a hide on Etsy, and it has just arrived, I'm very excited!

I'm planning on making a small bag with it, but I've never worked with leather before, so any tips would be much appreciated

Here you go...

1. You need leather thread, which is a slightly thicker waxed thread that helps stop normal thread cutting through holes in the leather when sewn.

1. To last - Seams need to be both sewn & glued - ie sew - fold the seam open, glue the seam down & then if its a lightweight leather glue a thin strip of it over the seam - this stops any tension on the seam ripping it apart -

with heavier leather you can - fold both sides of the seam back in one direction & glue both pieces down

1. Usually leather is sewn on a special machine, but it will depend on how thick it is & what machine you use - most modern lightweight machines won't handle it wel, if at all -

if you have an old more solid type of machine & its a lighter weight leather, you can usually get away with treating it as you would Denim, but do sew with a LONG stitch - then use heavy gauge needles, light weight on pressure foot etc - (see machine instructions for heavy cloth).

If you don't have a machine thats suitable, or its thick, then sew by hand, but use a "Bradle" - which it basically a spike with a wooden handle - use the spike to make a line of holes to sew in & our of - you'll find it impossible otherwise - sew with a leather, or upholsterers needle & use occasional silicon spray to help ease it through - same as above, keep stitches quite long & glue to strengthen seems

HTH

Brilliant advice, thanks so much

This maybe the start of my bag making career

my pleasure

& good luck with your new career