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From: PinkFlamingo
Date: 01-31-2006, 02:11 PM (1 of 5)
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Hi never used this forum before, this is my first time. could do with some advice. sorry if this is a repost for some reason i cant use the search function. think im thinking over my head with this project. I want to retrim (seats) and im planning on using faux leather as it is cheaper than real leather. I havent used either though and have no idea how to go about sewing it and what thread to use or which stitch to use or needle on my sewing machine ( the material im looking at obviously isnt as thick as leather, but this i have been its pretty thick ). I have ordered some samples to have a test but still dont know where to start. Any information and help would be much appreciated, thankyou in advance. |
User: PinkFlamingo
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: carman
Date: 01-31-2006, 02:33 PM (2 of 5)
i am sure some one on these boards will be able to help, i just wanted to welcome you here and glad you found us 
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User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
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From: paroper
Date: 01-31-2006, 04:56 PM (3 of 5)
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It has been a while since I have sewn on this stuff. When I was in high school, we were all wearing false leather. Nasty stuff, nasty clothing. Anyway, yours should be just a bit heavier than that was. If the back is bonded you may not have much trouble with feeding it through your machine. If it is not, leather type products tend to stick to the feet and cause problems like slippage or non-slippage as the case may be. There are special feet for using with leather. Usually they have some sort of roller to help feed the fabric. I've seen them with a roller across the front, something like a combine (if you are a farmer) and I've also seen them with a little narrow wheel off to one side or in front. I think that you could also use a teflon foot...since I sewed leather in the pre-teflon foot days, I'm not 100 percent sure. I don't think that a walking foot would do as well, you'd just have to try it. I think it will stick. You can also encase the leather in paper or tissue paper strips to help feed it through which is what I did because we sure couldn't afford special feet, if they were available. You'll need to lengthen your stitches. Fine stitches and tight tension can cut the fabric. If you have to rip the stitches out, you'll need to carefully place your needle so that it tracks in the exact same needle points as before or it will show and it could also cause the fabric to cut. Since this is a seat, you might want to consider a heavier thread or double sewing your seams to make sure taht they are extra strong. Heavier thread presents its own problems with tension. If you use it, be sure and mark you tension on the bobbin AND write down your best tension on the top. Not all machines are leather/fake leather friendly so take a few moments before you purchase to sew on the fabric you have to see if you can handle it with your machine. If you have an older machine it actually might do better than some of the new ones, depending on the brand and style of your machine. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: PinkFlamingo
Date: 01-31-2006, 08:09 PM (4 of 5)
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Thankyou for the welcome carman. Thanks for the great advice paroper, things to think about got a few feet with my sewing mashine just wasnt sure what they were coz i dont use them and put them back in the box lol probably not the best way to do things. will have a look what i got ect, it is a modern Toyota sewing machine. will look at the manual and see if it mentions med/heavy fabrics, and weather i got a foot to use. I have now ordered some samples to have a test with before i buy the fabric just incase i cant sew it i wont bother wasting my money if i cant. the threads the key issue as i know they will need to be strong, not used to working with thick fabrics like this. not sure what thread to use but im sure my local shop can help me out, would prefer to use a heavier thread, im sure they will point me to the right thread. thanks again for the advice very useful |
User: PinkFlamingo
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-31-2006, 08:40 PM (5 of 5)
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You're welcome.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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