Leather Sewing Thread

Leather as a durable material is always processed into bags, shoes, accessories, sofas, and jackets. Strong sewing thread is a necessary choice for being incorporated into the leather to support daily use. Moreover, leather products always symbolize quality and fashion, which demands a clean and polished look for the stitch line, especially when decorative stitch patterns are required. The even stitch and neat seam mean the sewn-in thread must be lint-free, abrasion resistant, and non-breakable. The Rongdu thread is quality enough to meet all the above requirements.

Type of thread to use for leather

When sewing leather, it is important to use a thread specifically designed for this purpose. Leather is a thick and durable material, so it requires a strong and durable thread that can withstand the demands of sewing through the leather. Here are some type of thread for leather:

Polyester Thread: Polyester thread is a popular choice for sewing leather due to its strength and durability. Sewing polyester thread has good tensile strength and is resistant to abrasion, making it suitable for handling the thickness and toughness of leather. A polyester thread is also available in a wide range of colors, allowing for versatility in matching or contrasting with leather.

Nylon Thread: Nylon thread is another suitable option for sewing leather. It is known for its excellent strength and resistance to abrasion. Nylon sewing thread provides good stitch integrity and is capable of handling the demands of sewing through thick leather. It is available in various thicknesses and colors, making it versatile for different leather projects.

Bonded Nylon Thread: Bonded nylon thread is a specialized type of nylon thread that is even stronger and more durable. It is made by bonding nylon filaments together, resulting in a thread with superior strength and resistance to abrasion. Bonded nylon thread is commonly used in heavy-duty leather sewing applications, such as upholstery or leather accessories.

Waxed Thread: Waxed thread is a type of thread that has been coated with wax, providing added strength, durability, and resistance to water. This makes it particularly suitable for sewing leather, as the wax coating helps the thread glide through the material and creates a stronger seam. Waxed embroidery thread is commonly used for hand-sewing leather, especially in leathercraft and saddle stitching.

Linen Thread: Linen thread is a natural fiber thread that has been used for centuries in leatherwork. It has excellent strength and durability, making it suitable for sewing leather. Linen thread is often preferred for traditional or hand-stitched leather projects, such as handbags, wallets, or leather shoes.

When choosing a super strong thread for sewing leather, it's important to consider the thickness, strength, and compatibility with your sewing machine or hand-sewing techniques. It is recommended to use a thread specifically labeled for sewing leather or heavy-duty applications. Additionally, selecting a thread color that complements or contrasts with the leather can enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your finished leather projects, such as black sewing thread, white sewing thread, red sewing thread, blue sewing thread, pink sewing thread, green sewing thread, and gold sewing thread, etc.

Why Choose Heavy Thread for Sewing Leather

Choosing heavy thread for leather working offers several advantages that contribute to the overall strength and durability of the stitched seams. Here are some reasons why heavy duty thread is preferred for sewing leather:

Increased Strength: Leather is a dense and sturdy material that requires strong stitches to hold it together. Heavy duty thread for sewing leather, typically made of durable materials like polyester or nylon, provides greater tensile strength and can withstand the stress and tension that leather may exert on the stitches over time. This helps prevent thread breakage and ensures the longevity of the sewn seams.

Enhanced Durability: Leather items, such as bags, belts, or shoes, often endure significant wear and tear. Heavy strong thread for leather is more resistant to abrasion and can withstand the friction that occurs when leather items are used or rubbed against surfaces. It reduces the likelihood of the thread fraying or wearing out, contributing to the overall durability of the finished product.

Better Stitch Visibility: The thicker nature of heavy duty thread for leather makes the stitches more visible on the leather surface. This can be desirable when creating decorative stitching or highlighting the craftsmanship of a leather item. The stitches become a prominent feature, adding visual interest and accentuating the design.

Improved Seam Integrity: Leather can put stress on seams due to its weight, flexibility, and the nature of its use. Thick sewing thread for leather has a higher resistance to pulling apart or loosening, ensuring that the seams remain intact even under strain. This is particularly important for items that require strong and secure stitching, such as leather bags or saddlery.

Complementary Aesthetics: The choice of heavy thread for sewing leather can also be an aesthetic preference. Thick threads for leather provide a distinct, bold look to the stitching, giving a more rugged or rustic appearance that complements the texture and character of leather. This aesthetic appeal is often sought after in leathercraft projects, adding to their overall charm.

Tips for Sewing with Heavy Duty Thread for Leather

Use a Leather Needle:

Choose a needle specifically designed for threads to use for leather, such as a leather needle or leather point needle. These needles have a sharp point and a stronger shaft, allowing them to penetrate the leather smoothly without causing damage.

Adjust Stitch Length:

Opt for longer stitch lengths when sewing thick sewing thread for leather. This helps prevent excessive perforation of the material and reduces the risk of weakening the leather. Longer stitches also provide better tension distribution, resulting in stronger seams.

Employ a Walking Foot or Teflon Foot:

Consider using a walking foot attachment on your sewing machine or a Teflon foot to help feed the leather evenly and prevent sticking. The walking foot ensures that the layers of leather and leather sewing thread move together, minimizing the chances of uneven stitching or skipped stitches.

Use Wonder Clips or Binder Clips:

Instead of traditional pins, which can leave visible holes in the leather, opt for wonder clips or binder clips to hold the leather pieces together. These clips provide a secure hold without damaging the material.

Test Stitches on Scrap Leather:

Before starting your actual project, it's crucial to test your stitch settings, thread tension, and needle choice on scrap pieces of the same leather material. This allows you to fine-tune your machine settings and ensure that the stitches are even and secure.

Backstitch at the Start and End:

To reinforce the seams, always backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam. This helps secure the heavy duty thread for leather and prevents it from unraveling over time.

Consider Hand Stitching:

In some cases, hand stitching may provide more control and precision when working with leather. If your project allows for it, you can use a heavy-duty hand-sewing needle and strong thread for sewing leather to create strong and durable hand-stitched seams.

Practice Patience:

Sewing type of thread for sewing leather requires patience and a steady hand. Take your time, especially when guiding the leather through the machine. Slow and consistent stitching will yield better results and reduce the chances of mistakes.

What Thread To Use For Leather

Heavy Duty Bonded Nylon Thread

Leather thread is used for joining pieces of leather together. Bonded nylon thread is a superb choice to sew leather, and it comes in a variety of weights that pair well with different weights and thicknesses of leather. Bonded nylon is a strong thread, and the bonding process adds strength and reduces friction, making smooth and continuous stitches neat and even seams.

Tex 45 and Tex 70 Bonded Nylon Thread

Soft leather, such as that for a wallet, can be sewn with tex 45 bonded nylon thread or tex 70 bonded nylon thread. These two thicknesses are on the lighter weight scale and are typically used when stitches are meant to be close together or decorative in nature.

Tex 90 Bonded Nylon Thread

When sewing on a little thicker leather, we suggest sewing with bonded nylon tex 90. If the sewn leather will bear a load or be used for furniture, then a tex 135 thread could be considered. Tex 135 thread is also made for a decorative reinforcing thread when used to accent the seam.

Tex 210 or Tex 270

For heavy leather, a thicker thread like tex 210 or tex 270 is recommended. When the two sizes are applied, the stitch length should be lengthened to help create even spacing.