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Leather may seem like the white whale of all fabrics when it comes to sewing – how are you ever supposed to figure out how to make that tough little fabric conform to your designs? Luckily, the sewing machines of today have the capacity to handle strong fabrics such as leather.
Read on to learn more about how these machines can change the game.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Sewing Machine For Leather
- OUR TOP PICK: Janome HD3000
- RUNNER-UP: SINGER 9960
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Singer Heavy Duty 4423
Comparison Chart of the Best Sewing Machines For Leather
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Can Any Sewing Machine Be Used For Leather?
Leather is one of the toughest fabrics to sew, and not just for the reasons you are thinking. Yes, leather is a thicker fabric that can jam up a machine, but it can also be too thick for the needle to even pierce.
The needle would then skate on top of the leather and end up stretching and ultimately ruining the fabric. So it is best to work with a machine that is specifically designed to be able to handle leather, often a machine that includes a particularly engineered sewing foot.
How to Choose a Sewing Machine for Leather
Even with the specifications required of a sewing machine for leather, there are still many product options out there. Here is what to look for:
Durability
If a machine is advertised as being able to sew leather, it had better be tough. Look for machines with primarily metal parts, or at least with a metal interior frame. Stainless steel is also a good option for work area plates.
Ease of Use
This quality is important with all sewing machines, but we find it especially important when trying to sew leather because you will likely need to switch out the machine’s stock foot with one specifically designed for working with tougher materials. You do not want to have to spend longer on this process than you need to.
Speed
Just because you are working with a tougher material does not mean you need to be spending all day on it. Like with any other sewing machine, look for how fast it can stitch.
Review of the Best Sewing Machines for Leather
Now that you have a better idea of what to look for with these machines, let’s check out some actual products:
Best Overall:
Janome HD3000
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love the extra high presser foot on this model. The added height allows the machine to be able to work with multiple layers of leather, and any extra space can be used for clips or binders to keep your fabric secure while you are working.
Why it Stands Out to Us
One of the most important aspects for working with a tough fabric such as leather is machine stability. This model is heavy enough to remain stable no matter how many layers of leather you are working with.
Who Will Use This Most
People looking to work with many different layers of leather stitching will love the ease of operating this machine. And it can do more than just leather - this machine is tough enough to handle pretty much any kind of fabric.
Bottom Line
The Janome HD3000 is an amazing product option with an impressive ability to work with multiple layers of leather and other tough fabrics, thanks to its extra high presser foot. It is not particularly versatile, though, and while the heaviness of this model adds to its stability, it also makes it fairly clunky.
Runner-up:
SINGER 9960
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are blown away by the vast amount of stitching options available on this model. It has six hundred different built in stitch options, with one hundred three utility stitches, five different fonts including four hundred fifty stitches, thirteen button hole options, and thirty four decorative stitches.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We have included this machine on our list specifically for sewing leather, but there really is not much this model would not be able to handle. It comes with an included extension for the work table to make the already sizable area even bigger for larger projects.
Who Will Use This Most
Because this machine is so high capacity and so complicated to operate, it should only be used by expert sewers. It is not recommended for beginners or those who are not tech savvy.
Bottom Line
The SINGER 9960 is a fantastic product option and our choice for runner-up to best overall, mostly due to the mind blowingly impressive amount of stitches it can handle. It can be confusing to work with, though, and a lack of labels does not help.
Best for the Money:
Singer Heavy Duty 4423
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers appreciate that when they purchase this machine, it includes access to the Singer Sewing Assistant app. This app is great for answering any questions users may have, sharing their advice and learning from the advice of others, and watching a variety of sewing tutorials.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We had some trouble believing that a machine from a reputable brand such as Singer could be bought for such a low, low price. But it is true! This machine is a steal of deal.
Who Will Use This Most
Anyone who wants a tough machine that can really go the distance should invest in this Singer model. Its high quality construction of heavy duty metal essentially guarantees that it will last for as long as you need it to.
Bottom Line
The Singer Heavy Duty 4423 is an amazing product option that you will not be able to believe you can buy for as low a price as they are selling. Just know that if you are a beginner sewer, this may not be the best choice for you.
Honorable Mention 1:
Brother ST371HD
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are stoked about the six included different presser feet, and especially about the two feet that are specifically designed for working with tougher materials such as leather. These include the non stick foot and the spring action zigzag option. Other feet allow for processing less intense fabrics as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are a number of details on this product that make it a great choice for working with leather. It includes specialty needles, including a needle just for sewing through leather, and its metal needle plate allows for thicker materials to be quickly and smoothly processed.
Who Will Use This Most
If you intend on working with other tough fabrics beyond just leather, this machine is an awesome option for you because it is specifically designed for such sewing.
Bottom Line
The Brother ST371HD is a great product option for sewing multiple kinds of fabrics, mostly because of all of the different options available in the presser feet! Just keep in mind that you may have to make more repairs on this model.
Honorable Mention 2:
Singer Sew Mate 5400
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers say that this is an excellent option for beginner sewers in that it has a good range of stitch options, but not so many that it becomes overwhelming. It includes sixty built in stitches: eight built in stitches, eight stretch stitches, forty decorative stitches, and four button holes.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We like the combination of weight and durability present in this model. Not a lot of manufacturers can strike a balance between a machine that is light enough to carry around easily, yet still tough enough to last, but Singer has done it.
Who Will Use This Most
As mentioned above, this machine is a great option for beginner sewers. If you are an older sewer who requires maximum light in order to take advantage of limited eyesight capability, you will also likely appreciate this model thanks to its awesome LED lighting options.
Bottom Line
The Singer Sew Mate 5400 is a fantastic product option that can go the distance for you in multiple ways - it is tough enough to last, and light enough to literally go the distance if you need to take it along while traveling! It is smaller than many of the other options on this list, though.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Let’s reiterate the Brother difference here. When you choose a Brother model over a lesser quality option, here is what you get:
Weight
When working with a tough material such as leather, it can be important to have a heavier machine to increase stability. But, on the flip side, a heavier machine is more difficult to move and transport. You should weight these two qualities carefully against each other.
Work Space Illumination
It is particularly important to pay attention to what you are doing when sewing leather in order to make sure the needle has not started to stretch out the material. Find yourself a machine with a bright LED light so you can always see what you are doing.
Versatility
You are going to want to use your machine for more than just sewing leather (we are assuming). Invest in a machine with a wide variety of available stitch patterns so that you can work on every project you could ever desire.
Conclusion
Leather can seem like an insurmountable obstacle to a sewer, but with the right machine, anything is possible. Invest in a machine that will best suit your needs and you can wave goodbye to ever worrying about leather. We promise that any machine from our list here can tackle leather with ease.