While it's true that there are specialized, industrial machines often used for leatherwork, you can, in fact, sew light to medium-weight leather with a regular household sewing machine. Here are a few important things to keep in mind: 1. **Type of leather**: Lighter fabrics like pigskin and lambskin can be handled by a household sewing machine. On the other hand, thicker leather materials like cowhide might prove challenging and potentially damage your machine. Always test your setup with scrap pieces of the same leather first. 2. **Needle and Thread**: Use a needle designed specifically for sewing leather. They are generally much stronger and have a slightly different shape at the tip (a wedge point) to help penetrate the leather without tearing it. Threads also matter; Synthetic threads such as nylon or polyester are recommended since they are more durable than cotton and can cope with the toughness of leather. 3. **Tension and Length Control**: You may need to adjust the thread tension and stitch length on your sewing machine. Leather requires a longer stitch length (about 3mm to 4mm) compared to standard stitching on fabric. For tension, if you notice that the top thread is showing on the bottom side, your tension might be too tight. Conversely, if the bobbin thread is visible on the top side, you'll need to tighten it. 4. **Leather Presser Feet**: Regular presser feet tend to stick to leather, causing problems with consistent stitch lengths and straight lines. In order to avoid this, you may want to use a walking foot, a roller foot or a Teflon foot. These are all specialty presser feet that can make sewing leather a smoother experience. 5. **Avoid using Pins**: Unlike with fabrics, you can't use pins to hold pieces of leather together, as they will leave permanent holes. Instead, use binder clips, paperclips, or special double-sided tape for leather. 6. **Regular Maintenance**: Sewing leather can put extra strain on your sewing machine, so regular cleaning and maintenance become paramount. In conclusion, while you can sew leather with your regular sewing machine, it's important to understand that not all machines will be able to handle the rigors of this material. Always perform tests prior to sewing important projects and refer to your machine's user manual to see if it's suggested or not. If you're planning a lot of leather work, you might want to eventually consider investing in a heavy-duty machine designed for that purpose. But for occasional jobs, adjusting your practices and equipment as discussed can allow you to achieve good results on your general-purpose machine.