Any Leather Embroidery Experience???

[Former_Member]

Does anyone have experience or advice for embroidering on leather? I am going to attempt to monogram a (fake) leather tote bag. I have no clue where to start. It is too thick to hoop. I use the Brother PE770.

[Former_Member]

Maggie - did you ever get any help with this? I haven't worked with leather, but am a part of a FB group for "Brother PE Embroidery" and just saw a member posting there today about stitching on leather boots... on her PE770. So it can be done! Unfortunately, I'm not sure how she does it.

[Former_Member]

I do the headrests of cars. I do hoop. I am using a Babylock alliance but your machine should be able to handle it. after I am done I take off the hoop and steam the item and that takes the hoop marks out. I have never had a problem with getting the marks out. but do not leave hooped. hoop sew and un hoop. make sure you use a good stabilizer. I use the adhesive one.

[Former_Member]

Hi,

I have embroidered on leather (real leather). I used a double run stitch to create the monogram. (link below)
I embroidered the leather, without hooping. I used 'Hoop Tech Clamp System' installed on my 6 needle embroidery machine.
I embroidered the monogram prior to assembly of the leather clutch, so that you wouldn't see the back of the embroidery when the bag is open.
(When the bag was assembled there is also a lining)

This was my first attempt, I believe it turned out very nice :)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EdiesDesigns/updates?ref=shopinfo_shopupdates_leftnav

Edie

[Former_Member]

I embroider on marine vinyl to make book covers. This is not as thick/tough as leather. It sounds like your bag is a vinyl (fake leather) also.

The most helpful thing I have found is to use a titanium coated needle. The ones I use are Organ brand DBXK5 PD. I use them in my 12 and 15 needle commercial embroidery machines. You will need to check if these needles will work in your machine. These needles help tremendously with less friction/heat as the needle penetrates the vinyl repeatedly. They just "slide" through the vinyl better.

I use a medium weight cutaway on the back of the vinyl. I found if I don't use any backing the vinyl can pucker where the design is more dense. I do not recommend using tear away for this reason.

I use fast frames now when embroidering on vinyl. But I used my tubular hoops before I got the fast frames. I won't go back to doing it that way though! The fast frames are the way to go since hooping the vinyl can be difficult due to the thickness. I use the edge of the fast frame to line up the edge of the vinyl and never have to worry if the design is placed correctly. I mark my center before putting it on the machine, line up my mark and go. But I'm working with a flat piece of vinyl (I sew the book cover together after embroidering). Hooping your item may be more challenging!

All of this works well for me. I hope you can use something to help with your needs!
Alyssa Lehmann
www.MissalCovers.com

https://www.etsy.com/listing/245642319/missal-cover-breviary-cover-bible-or?ref=shop_home_active_1

[JaneAtNumber13]

Hi Alyssa - how do you use cutaway stabiliser with the fast frames? I have only used them by attaching sticky stabiliser.

Your book covers are beautiful.

[Former_Member]

to embroider on leather you should use an adhesive stabilizer with a paper-backed release sheet - it helps you to fix the material without setting it into hoops. Different brands name it differently (filmoplast stabiliser, or madeira's Tear away Cotton Fix etc) but the scheme is always same - it has two layers, you cut and set a piece of stabiliser into hoops paper side up, then score and remove the paper layer to expose adhesive. After that you can set the material on it and embroider. The second layer is tear-away so you will release the material from it easily when the embroidery is done.

other way is to use non-adhesive stabiliser and Guniold KK 100 temporary adhesive spray. Set the stabiliser in the hoops, spray the adhesive and set the material on it. It is really temporary so in couple hours adhesive becomes weak and doesn't fix material any more and in a day you won't feel in touch the adhesive at all (to wash it from hoops use soap and sponge)

[Former_Member]

One other thing I forgot to mention when embroidering on the vinyl is to SLOW the machine down! I slow it to 450 stitches per minute.

[KrasoskisKrafts]

I am new to this group . I am a quilter who also loves to embroider. Here is my latest creation.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/385883926/a-veterans-bootiful-bouquet-wall-hanging?ref=shop_home_active...