Can You Sew Deer or Buckskin Leather on a Home Sewing Machine?

Can You Sew Deer or Buckskin Leather on a Home Sewing Machine?

One of the questions we hear most often at Distant Drums Leather is:

"Can I sew deer or buckskin leather on my home sewing machine?"

The honest answer is...

It depends.

Whether your machine can sew leather has less to do with the leather itself and more to do with the type of leather, the thickness, and the machine you're using.

Soft Leather Is Different Than Heavy Leather

When many people think of leather, they picture thick vegetable-tanned leather used for belts, holsters, saddles, or knife sheaths. Those projects often require an industrial sewing machine.

Hides like deerskin, buckskin, elk, moose, and sheepskins that are garment weight are much softer and more flexible. Depending on your machine, these leathers can often be sewn successfully on a quality home sewing machine.

That's one reason they're so popular for projects like:

• Clothing
• Bags and totes
• Drawstring pouches
• Medicine bags
• Native American-inspired crafts
• Historical reenactment projects
• Costume work

Not Every Home Sewing Machine Is the Same

Home sewing machines vary tremendously in quality.

Many newer budget machines contain more plastic internal components than older machines. While they're perfectly adequate for fabric, they may not be designed to handle the additional stress that leather can place on the machine.

Higher-quality home sewing machines often perform much better with soft leather.

Success depends on several factors, including:

• The quality of the machine
• The power of the motor
• The thickness of the leather
• How many layers you're sewing
• Using the proper leather needle
• Choosing the correct thread

A single layer of soft deerskin is very different from several folded layers with multiple seams.

Don't Overlook Older Sewing Machines

If you're shopping specifically for a machine to sew soft leather, don't overlook some of the classics.

Older Singer and White sewing machines regularly show up at:

• Yard sales
• Estate sales
• Flea markets
• Facebook Marketplace
• Antique stores

Many of these vintage machines were built with mostly metal internal components, making them surprisingly durable for sewing garment-weight leather.

Another bonus is that replacement parts remain widely available for many popular models, and most sewing machine repair shops are familiar with servicing them.

Use the Right Needle and Thread

Even with a capable machine, using the proper supplies makes a huge difference.

For most soft leather projects you'll want:

• A leather needle sized appropriately for your project
• Quality upholstery or bonded thread recommended for your machine
• Proper stitch length
• Correct thread tension

Before beginning your actual project, spend a few minutes sewing on scrap leather. A small amount of testing can save a lot of frustration later.

When Is an Industrial Machine Necessary?

If you're planning to regularly sew:

• Thick vegetable-tanned leather
• Heavy buffalo or cowhide
• Multiple heavy layers
• Belts
• Holsters
• Saddlery

An industrial walking-foot machine is usually the better choice.

For many garment-weight leather projects, however, a quality home sewing machine is often more than capable.

Our Recommendation

Every sewing machine is different.

Before purchasing leather for a project, or investing in a sewing machine, check with your local sewing machine dealer or repair shop. They can usually tell you exactly what your particular model is designed to handle and recommend the proper needle and thread combination.

When planning a project know that we're always happy to answer questions about selecting the right hide. Choosing the proper leather—and pairing it with the right machine—will make your sewing experience much more enjoyable.