I'm a Bro and I Sew... Who else is with me?

[Beer_Money_Props]

Just bought my first machine (A Janome HD3000)...I'm sure it's a bit of overkill for a first timer, but I intend to use the ever loving crap out of this thing.

Dunno if it's worth the price tag, but the but the YouTube videos I saw sold me on it.

 

[Bigdaddy]

Just bought my first machine (A Janome HD3000)...I'm sure it's a bit of overkill for a first timer, but I intend to use the ever loving crap out of this thing.

Dunno if it's worth the price tag, but the but the YouTube videos I saw sold me on it.

Looks like a fine machine, thumbsup

 

[NormanF]

Just bought my first machine (A Janome HD3000)...I'm sure it's a bit of overkill for a first timer, but I intend to use the ever loving crap out of this thing.

Dunno if it's worth the price tag, but the but the YouTube videos I saw sold me on it.

I actually wanted that machine but ended up with a digital instead.

Sent from my Etch A Sketch.

 

[Bigdaddy]

:lol I'm working with an old educational model I bought about 15 years ago, but it's still going.

 

[Beer_Money_Props]

Looks like a fine machine, thumbsup

I hope so. For an absolute rank amateur, I needed something that would hold up to my amateur-ness, as well as work for years to come on whatever I throw at it. I honestly don't intend to buy another machine for a good long while.

I actually wanted that machine but ended up with a digital instead.

I considered a digital machine (A Singer), but reconsidered after I came to the decision that having anything electronic AND mechanical would just cause me to constantly fiddle with the thing trying to make it better or do something it probably wasn't designed to do.

I watched the machine I bought breeze through 13 layers of denim, run completely off the fabric, back onto it again, and back over the 13 layer section without so much as hiccuping or snagging up in the bobbin hole (I don't know what that is actually called, so it's a bobbin hole until I do). THAT'S what I call Gary-proof!

 

[thejakemoore]

What kind of machine do you guys recommend for sewing leather? I've been using a Brother CS-6000i, but it's starting to crap out on me. I think I need something older and more rugged.

 

[Bigdaddy]

What kind of machine do you guys recommend for sewing leather? I've been using a Brother CS-6000i, but it's starting to crap out on me. I think I need something older and more rugged.

I've sewn a whole lot of buckskin with my cheapy and the proper feeder foot and needle, but I wouldn't ask it to do anything heavier.

 

[thejakemoore]

Yeah, I work with heavier weight leather, mainly making accessories for Super Sentai suits. I'm thinking I'll probably need something industrial level.

 

[wiIIiam]

I recently learned to thread a sewing machine (took nearly an hour of fiddling and googling instructions) but i shall persevere!

 

[Sulla]

I recently learned to thread a sewing machine (took nearly an hour of fiddling and googling instructions) but i shall persevere!

Hey, that's awesome! It's not the easiest thing to learn for sure, keep on truckin', er, sewin'! Ask away if you need any advice or help.

 

[cresap]

Yeah, I work with heavier weight leather, mainly making accessories for Super Sentai suits. I'm thinking I'll probably need something industrial level.

You might want to check thrift stores and craig's list for a Singer 66. Mine is an early 50's model and it will sew through just about anything. They are usually less than $50. They are easy to work on and maintain and it is the straightest stitch you will get. I have seen them sew through thick saddle leather. If the needle can take it the machine can push it through. Here is a picture of mine, I got it and the table for $25 off of craig's list.

 

[SMP Designs]

I'm a classically trained tailor and have been drafting and designing for 20 years. I also started out in theatre and cut my teeth on period design. Moved on to modern apparel and specialized in menswear but always was heavily involved in theatre and opera. From there, moved to media, advertising and film/video. I've only just started playing with fabrication (foam armor, worbla, casting, etc) and, as fun and interesting as it is, I'll forever be a tailor.

 

[fleefromme]

I'm looking for a good 'how to' sewing pattern book. Suggestions?

 

[SMP Designs]

Yeah, I work with heavier weight leather, mainly making accessories for Super Sentai suits. I'm thinking I'll probably need something industrial level.

I use a Singer 20U109 industrial. It's totally worth the money to just invest in an industrial if you can, especially if you're working on leather. For leather, you'll also want a teflon foot so that you can sew without the foot sticking to and pulling the leather.

 

[SMP Designs]

I'm looking for a good 'how to' sewing pattern book. Suggestions?

Look on Amazon - there are hundreds of books on sewing, patterning and design there. For a general overview, check out some of the books in the Singer sewing library. Most of them are geared to working with women's patterns, but the basics are all the same no matter what. Also, search books about period costumes and theatrical costumes. A lot of those books will have slopers (basic patterns that can be used to create more elaborate designs) that can be blown up as well as historical information and construction techniques.

 

[bigluelok]

I need to get a sewing machine as there are some things i want to try to make.

 

[thejakemoore]

I use a Singer 20U109 industrial. It's totally worth the money to just invest in an industrial if you can, especially if you're working on leather. For leather, you'll also want a teflon foot so that you can sew without the foot sticking to and pulling the leather.

Thanks! This is exactly the kind of suggestion I was hoping for

 

[SMP Designs]

Thanks! This is exactly the kind of suggestion I was hoping for

Awesome, glad I could help!

 

[NormanF]

I'm looking for a good 'how to' sewing pattern book. Suggestions?

"Sew Everything Workshop" by Rupp has info on sewing and comes with patterns.

Sent from my Etch A Sketch.

 

[Darth Mule]

Glad this old thread is still kicking! And I can't agree more with what SMP said. My main machine is a mechanical Bernina 1008 and it does garment weight leather just fine. Anything more and I need to get on an industrial with a teflon foot. If it's fairly thick, or many layers of anything heavier, I opt for the industrial walking foot. It just depends on what you want to work with.