Have you always been attracted by the beauty of custom sewn leather? Leather is one of the most durable and attractive materials out there but it can also be the most difficult to sew.
View the top rated leather sewing machines on Amazon right here.
Leather is very thick and can be a little sticky on the edge so the needle will quickly get stuck if sewing with the wrong machine. If you use the best sewing machine for leather, then you will find that working with leather is simple and as easy as working with fabric.
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Top 10 Best Leather Sewing Machines in 2023
| Picture | Name | Foot Height | Limited Warranty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | SINGER 4423 | Extra High | 25 Years | Click here to see current price. |
 | Sailrite LS-1 BASIC | 3/8 Inch | 2 Years | Click here to see current price. |
 | Janome HD1000 | 1/4 Inch | 25 Years | Click here to see current price. |
 | Tippmann Leather Sewing Machine | 3/4 Inch | 1 Year | Click here to see current price. |
 | Techsew 1460 | 1/2 Inch | Lifetime | Click here to see current price. |
 | Reliable MSK-1541S | High | 1 Year | Click here to see current price. |
| Consew 206RB-5 | 9/16 Inch | 1 Year | Click here to see current price. | |
| Huanyu Instrument106-RP | 5/16 Inch | N/A | Click here to see current price. | |
| Singer CG590 | Extra High | 25 Years | Click here to see current price. | |
| Janome HD3000 | N/A | 25 Years | Click here to see current price. |
Why Do I Need A Leather Sewing Machine?
When working with leather, you need to make sure you know what you are doing. You can’t make any mistakes. If you screw up, then that piece of leather is ruined and you need to start over with a new piece. That is because one wrong stitch will put a permanent hole in the leather which can’t be fixed. That’s what makes it so different than working with fabric.
The edge of the leather can also be sticky which makes it hard to slide through the foot of a sewing machine. While some people will put a piece of tape on the bottom of the foot to help the leather slide easier, it won’t do any good when the leather is too thick to fit under the foot in the first place.
The best leather sewing machines have a higher foot that is designed to let leather slide right on through. These machines will also give you a longer stitch which will make for a better seam in the leather.
Tips for Sewing with Leather
Types of Leather Sewing Machines
When it comes to sewing machines for leather, there are two types on the market which include residential sewing machines and industrial sewing machines. There are obviously pros and cons when it comes to each type and the type of machine that is right for you will depend on your needs.
Residential Leather Sewing Machines: These type of sewing machines are great for smaller leather projects. If you do a lot of sewing with fabric and occasionally work with leather, then you may want to buy a standard sewing machine that can be set up for leather. The drawbacks to a residential sewing machine is that the max stitch length is only 6 mm, the stitching speed is slower and they often can’t handle thick leather.
Industrial Leather Sewing Machines: Industrial machines are very expensive and are not for everyone. It is much easier to sew leather with an industrial machine than with a residential machine. It can stitch faster with longer stitches. It can also handle thick leather with ease. Besides the expensive pricetag, the drawback of an industrial machine is the high maintenance. It needs to be oiled after every use and if it was sitting unused for a few days. The maintenance and high price is worth it if you need to sew a lot of thick leather and don’t want to take weeks to get it done.
There is another option when it comes to sewing with leather – sewing it by hand. Hand sewing leather is a tedious process but it can get the job done if you don’t want to spend the money on a sewing machine just for one leather project. We highly recommend the book The Art of Hand Sewing Leather for more information on how to do this.
How to Choose the Best Sewing Machine For Leather?
When it comes to finding the best of anything, it is important to read good reviews. We provided a few reviews of the best sewing machines for leather below so be sure to read them and then head to Amazon to read customer reviews and order the machine that suits you best. The chart provided above is also designed to help you find a good leather sewing machine. Here are a few things to look for while shopping.
First, make sure the needles included with the machine are made for leather. Normal needles will break or bend when trying to sew through thick materials. Leather needles are designed with a sharper point and are thinner than standard needles so they will slice right through the material.
Second, look for machines with adjustable stitch length. Longer stitches will make the seams of your project much stronger.
Finally, if you are planning on using a special type of thread such as a synthetic thread, make sure that type of thread can be used in that particular machine. Some machines have trouble using thicker threads or threads that are sticky. A sewing machine that is designed specifically for leather should be able to handle thicker threads.
Leather Sewing Machines Prices
Leather sewing machine prices can range from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand dollars. The price depends on the durability of the machine, the features and what it is designed to do. A residential machine will be around $250 more or less and will work great for smaller leather projects. Don’t expect it to handle thick leather or large projects.
A heavy duty sewing machine will be able to handle thick leather and will have longer stitching. These machines can still handle other sewing projects and are priced around $500.
If you are going to be doing a lot of leather sewing, then you will probably want a machine that is designed specifically for leather. These high end leather sewing machines are expensive and you can expect to pay at least $1,500 online on a site like Amazon.
Top Rated Sewing Machines for Leather in 2023 – Reviews
SINGER 4423 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine Review
With a durable stainless steel bedplate, an extremely powerful motor and a quick sewing speed, the SINGER 4423 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine can sew through even the thickest fabrics.
It is the perfect sewing machine for leather as it has an extra high foot which will allow thick leather to easily flow underneath. It comes with four types of presser feet – an all-purpose foot, a buttonhole foot, a zipper foot and a button sewing foot. A leather foot is not included but may be purchased separately. Other features include an automatic needle threader, a fast 1,100 stitches-per-minute sewing speed and online help tutorials. If you are searching for a reasonably priced residential sewing machine that can sew leather, then consider the SINGER 4423 Heavy Duty Sewing Machine.
Janome HD3000 Sewing Machine Review
The Janome HD3000 Sewing Machine looks like a standard residential sewing machine but it is much more than that. It allows you to complete a wide variety of sewing tasks including leather sewing. It is made of heavy-duty aluminum and has 18 built-in stitches. The stitch length and width adjustments are conveniently found on the front of the machine.
The reason why the Janome HD3000 is one of the best sewing machines for leather is that it comes with needles specifically designed for leather. It also comes with an extra high pressure foot that is smooth enough to allow leather to be fed underneath. The free arm makes it easy to sew large pieces of material. Overall, we highly recommend the Janome HD3000 for anyone looking for a leather sewing machine.
Sailrite Ultrafeed LS-1 BASIC Sewing Machine Review
The Sailrite Ultrafeed LS-1 BASIC Sewing Machine was specifically designed for sewing heavy materials such as denim, upholstery, canvas and leather. It has a straight stitch walking foot that will easily allow the needle to easily cut through the leather creating beautiful stitching.
This sewing machine also comes with a Power Plus Balance Wheel which will provide double the power of a traditional flywheel. The extra wide pressure foot is also extra-high allowing an 3/8 inch clearance for thick materials. The stitch length is adjustable up to 6 mm. When you purchase the Sailrite LS-1 BASIC Sewing Machine, you will receive top-notch customer support along with a full-color guidebook, a 2-year limited warranty and a Set-Up, Use and Maintenance DVD.
Tippmann Boss Leather Sewing Machine Review
If you are looking for a heavy-duty sewing machine that was designed to tackle thick materials, then look no further than the Tippmann Boss Leather Sewing Machine. It can sew through the toughest leather, up to 3/4 inch thick. It can also sew through other tough material such as sheepskin, nylon, denim, canvas and plastic.
The unique thing about this machine is that it is completely self-sufficient and does not require any cords, outlets or electrical hookups. When you are ready to start sewing, just pull on the handle. Each time you pull the handle, you’ll create a perfect and precise stitch. The length of the stitch is adjustable as is the tension, thread size and needle size.
The Tippmann Boss Leather Sewing Machine was designed to be durable and rugged. It will handle many years of abuse and is made of a rugged cast-aluminum housing. This machine comes with a one year warranty as well as a 30 day money-back guarantee. No matter what type of leather project you are working on, the Tippmann will deliver professional results.
Techsew 1460 Leather Industrial Sewing Machine Review
For a high-end industrial sewing machine, consider the Techsew 1460 Leather Industrial Sewing Machine. This lightweight machine was designed for leather, vinyl, upholstery and canvas. It is most commonly used to create auto and marine upholstery, leather goods, camping equipment, sports equipment, awnings and luggage.
While this machine is mostly used in business, it can be purchased and used for residential purposes. It comes with a compound walking-foot that allows you to easily feed thick materials through. The reverse feed provides you with reinforcement stitching. The automatic lubrication system is usually not found on industrial sewing machines and is a lifesaver when it comes to maintaining this machine. When you purchase the Techsew 1460 Leather Industrial Sewing Machine, you’ll recieve a complete table, thread stand, motor, lamp and accessories. Everything you need to complete the most complex leather sewing projects. The Techsew 1460 Leather Industrial Sewing Machine could easily be considered the best sewing machine for leather in 2023.
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