Leather goods and clothes are never going out of fashion. Handmade rawhide products are especially valuable. There are two ways of making leather clothes: by hand and using special sewing machines. The first method is more challenging but is also far more rewarding.
Many hobbyists who are into leathercraft know that hand-sewing can be a tough thing to do. Besides knowing the techniques and using the right stitches, special equipment is required for this painstaking but interesting hobby.
The most required instruments for hand-sewing and stitching animal skin:
- Special stitching needles for leather;
- Waxed nylon/linen threads;
- Stitching groover;
- Awl;
- Overstitch wheel;
- Silver marking pen.
Other equipment is optional but may also come in handy.
When it comes to buying sewing appliances, it’s preferable to purchase entire sets with all the necessary appliances. Especially if the buyer is a novice in leathercraft and needs to start the first projects from scratch. These sets are versatile and vary in cost, offered appliances, and durability.
10. Leather Craft Tool SIMPZIA 25 PCS — the best leather-sewing set under $50!
This set has 25 pieces, mostly for stitching, including the absolutely necessary needles, special threads, fingerstall, hole punchers, skiving knife, edge grooves, awl, blades and even stamps. It covers the bare necessities of a beginner who is into handmade projects with the use of rawhide. This kit may serve as a great investment in a new hobby for under $50.
| Pros | Cons |
| Made of quite durable and rare Tungsten steel; | There is no printed instructions included; |
| All the instruments are very sharp; | No spare blades for replacement if a person breaks an instrument; |
| Some appliances are offered in a few versions of different sizes; | No sharpener included; |
| Blades on the rotary cutter may be replaced; | There is no storage box; |
| Protective covering bag; | Works only with vegetable tanned rawhide |
| Nine different needles for sewing | – |
It’s a great starter kit for any sewing job.
9. BIGTEDDY Leather Craft Basic Stitching Sewing Hand Tool Set — the universal basic set for stitching animal skin and fabric!
All the instruments of this inexpensive beginner kit will do a great hand-stitching and hand-sewing job with such materials as animal skin, canvas and thick fabrics (like denim or tarpaulin). The set has over 20 pieces and covers any basic needs for a flawless hand-sewing project. A good purchase for any hobbyist who wants his hand-stitches to look like machine-sewn ones.
| Pros | Cons |
| Will do the perfect job for punching and sewing thick fabrics and animal skin; | No instructions are included; |
| Each instrument is made of durable, single-piece (not welded) metal; | Some tools are very small; |
| Wooden handles of appliances are very solid; | A few appliances may be missing, according to user reviews; |
| Does more than just stitching. It can do everything — from hole poking to stamping; | The stamps’ handles are made of soft metal and may bend during the process. |
| Comes with a little sack for keeping all appliances in one place | – |
| Sharp and well-made needles of all popular sizes | – |
It’s a very affordable and impressively durable universal kit, with most of the basic instruments that a crafter requires.
8. Leather Craft Tools Kit 18pcs DIY Tool — the best beginner leather-stitching kit under $100!
This starter leather-sewing kit offers 18 sharp pieces including a chisel, punch appliance, awl, polishing equipment, skiving knife, a set of different needles, etc. This is a simple but effective starter array of basic equipment for any DIY leather goods. The main amenity is the stainless edge bevelers.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight; | Only 18 basic pieces; |
| Really durable, practically timeless — made of stainless steel; | Rather expensive compared to other beginner kits |
| Comes with a nice and practical case; | – |
| Awesome design of tongs; | – |
| Instruments are sharp enough for slicing hard animal skin | – |
This starter package with stainless sewing appliances has everything for a small project.
7. SIMPZIA Leather Working Tools 30 Pieces — great for stitching canvas, animal skin, cloth, and paper!
Another SIMPZIA kit in this review, this time with over 30 pieces on board.
Another SIMPZIA kit in this review, this time with over 30 pieces on board. It still doesn’t cover metal or wood stitching but works fine with pretty much any other material. A few of the kit’s pieces are made of stainless steel, like prong punches for making really neat holes. This basic leathercraft set is good for making a homemade product from animal skin.
| Pros | Cons |
| Over 30 pieces of different tools that are sharp, including curved needles and prong punches; | Sometimes bolsters fall off the handles or pieces are missing; |
| A real flat wax rope is included; | Good only as a beginner kit and most instruments are not very durable |
| Works with cardboard, paper, rawhide, and fabrics; | – |
| Very affordable; | – |
| Includes a rawhide sample to make the first seams with included appliances | – |
A very sturdy starter kit with multiple sharp sewing tools for making handmade items.
6. Leather Sewing Tools SIMPZIA 24 Pieces — a simple kit for repair and handmade DIY projects!
SIMPZIA surely knows the deal when it’s coming to making beginner kits for leathercraft. This particular set has pressure cloth teeth, a few awls, colors threads, needles, a thimble, scissors, beeswax and a fingerstall — 24 pieces in total.
These hand appliances are capable of coping with sewing, not just rawhide but also paper, cardboard, animal fur, and cloth. This kit is suitable for beginners who seek affordable basic equipment.
| Pros | Cons |
| 24 basic instruments that cover simple DIY projects when one needs to sew and stamp; | Only 3 colors of flat wax rope — it’s more like a sample that will only do for the first few small projects; |
| A handy needle set; | Very small finger cots that don’t fit all finger sizes; |
| An awl which comes with a solid handle; | All stamps are only 6 mm — will only do for very tiny imprints; |
| A groover set for pro-stitching is included; | All appliances are not very solid |
| Great for repair and handmade sewing work | – |
Another pretty solid and basic set of leathercraft appliances for inexperienced hobbyists. It can be used for repair of leather goods.
5. Leather Work Designs 45 Piece Leather Craft Hand Tools Kit — a good entry kit for basic crafting under $40!
To create personalized belts, saddles, wallets and clothes a person can use the beginner set by Leather Work Designs. It includes 45 pieces to cover all basic leathercraft activities: from cutting to sewing.
Made in the USA, this kit offers very solid equipment made of stainless steel. Besides rawhide sewing, the kit is also suitable for small repairs like stitching ripped jeans or adding some decoration to a belt.
| Pros | Cons |
| In addition to basic sewing equipment, the set has premade stamping for making imprints; | A mallet or hammer is not included; |
| Both decoration and stitching equipment is included; | There is no storage box |
| Most advanced instruments are adjustable; | – |
| Stainless steel is used for nearly all included instruments; | – |
| Really sturdy wax threads are suitable for any creative or repair work; | – |
| A separate stamping set with 20 prints and special appliances | – |
This versatile and quality set will be a great gift under $40 to everyone who likes craft. It has basic and advanced instruments for sewing and stamping rawhide.
4. Convenient Leather Craft Sewing Kit by MIUSIE — the most affordable beginner kit under $10!
With 22 pieces and even a sample of animal skin, this very affordable set also covers the bare necessities of any crafter. Buyers shouldn’t expect any advanced pieces or supreme quality, but all included instruments are durable and reliable for their price. The most versatile and reliable low-budget kit for sewing.
| Pros | Cons |
| The most affordable set in this review; | Only basic instruments; |
| Pretty decent quality; | Not durable; |
| A sample of animal skin is included; | More suitable for repairs, not for full-time DIY projects |
| Simple but effective; | – |
| Very compact | – |
The most affordable and multifunctional set of basic equipment that will be a good addition to any household.
3. Electop 27 Pcs Leather Sewing Tools — the most easy-to-use kit for sewing and repairs!
One kit for leathercraft is never enough. This particular 27-pieces set can serve as an additional array of tackle for any hobbyist.
One kit for leathercraft is never enough. This particular 27-piece set can serve as an additional array of equipment for any hobbyist. The Electop Kit can’t be recommended as a primary set because it doesn’t include some basic tools. However, all presented instruments are sharp and may be used for a wide appliance. Simple crafts and repairs are the best tasks for this easy-to-use kit.
| Pros | Cons |
| Inexpensive; | Included threads which are made of synthetic material, while it’s better to use natural nylon or cotton for stitching natural animal skin; |
| Nicely packaged; | Good only for handwork with rawhide; |
| All appliances are sharp | Hood needles may easily break |
This kit is reliable and cheap, great for learning how to make the first stitches on rawhide.
2. Bluemoona 7Pcs Leather Craft Hand Stitching Sewing Tool Kit — the best additional beginner kit under $15!
By no means can this kit be recommended as a primary set for stitching, only if you need to do simple crafts or repairs. It works only with thin animal skin and has just 7 basic appliances. It’s preferable to buy this set only as an auxiliary one, though for such a price it does a fantastic job.
| Pros | Cons |
| Adjustable groover; | Only one color (green) of waxed thread; |
| Very affordable; | Only for thin animal skin or paper; |
| Great for repairs | Only a single type of needles |
A great addition to any collection of crafting tools but lacks the pieces to be used a primary set.
1. DIY Leather Craft Tools Kit — the best quality and most durable set under $15!
If the previous item can be called the best choice for an auxiliary kit or entry point to leathercraft, then this affordable box of basic set is perfect as a primary set for any beginner. At only under $15, this 13-piece kit offers the basic appliances of perfect quality. They will help to create unique designs and patterns even if a person has never dealt with crafts.
They will help to create unique designs and patterns even if a person has never dealt with crafts.
| Pros | Cons |
| Made of durable metal and wood that is hard to break; | Good only for beginners; |
| Good for stitching rawhide, denim, really thick fabrics (even carpets and mattresses), upholstery, tents, tarpaulin, and other DIY; | No storage box or bag |
| May also serve as a basic stamping kit to make any handmade item more personalized; | – |
| Really long and solid flat wax rope (50 m); | – |
| Inexpensive | – |
The best leather-sewing set in this review boasts a very affordable price for a really durable and quality basic set of equipment.
Buying guide to sewing/stitching sets for leather
1. Materials
The majority of the above-mentioned sets consist of instruments with stainless blades and wooden handles. It’s preferable to use the appliances of the blades, which can be sharpened. The best material for any crafting appliance that deals with thick rawhide or fabric is forged steel. Such equipment can easily serve a lifetime.
2. Basic tools
A beginner leathercraft set should contain basic tools for stitching jobs — awl, beveler, needles, groover, wax thread, scissors. Other appliances are optional but it’s awesome if a manufacturer puts spare details (like changeable blades) or the same tools of different sizes. Another great bonus for novices is if a sample of natural animal skin is included, for practicing.
3. Packaging
Since some equipment in such sets is rather small and sharp, it’s very important to keep it organized and intact out of children’s or pets’ reach. Consider choosing a set that has some sort of a box, container or bag for storing all appliances in one place. A beginner will also need detailed instruction about how to make perfect seams on leather goods.
4. Price
All 10 sets covered in this review are under $100. Professional crafters who constantly deal with tannery may say that it’s more reasonable to buy more expensive instruments for everyday use. Pro-sewing appliances may cost up to $20 per a single item — the average price of a simple beginner kit up to 20 pieces. Surely, the quality of more expensive tools will be better but if a person just does a few beginner projects, a cheaper set will be more preferable.
Sewing Stitching Sets for Leather FAQ
What needles should you use for leather?
Most experts recommend picking the R point Groz-Beckert needles for leather sewing.
As long as it is under 4 ounces, any R point Groz-Beckert needle could be a fine needle for leather sewing. The R needle is called “sharp” and can very easily punch through materials of all sorts. Experts recommend using the cutting point needles for sewing on tougher pieces of natural leather.
A sewing machine may fail if you want to stitch a leather piece with a standard110 needle. Thus, these devices would be able to stitch quicker by using a special leather needle.
Alternatively, you can use heavy-duty needles designed to quickly pierce leather with a special tip. And if you break a needle when stitching dense places, don’t be surprised, so be sure to have extra needles nearby.
Choose the needle size fitting to the thickness of the leather piece that you are stitching. There will usually be a needle size of 14 -18. For instance, the leather needles manufactured by Schmetz and Klass (distributed by Hemline in the US) brands of leather needles can be selected and have often had excellent results.
Who makes the best leatherworking tools?
So many brands – small and large manufacturers – produce great leatherworking tools. For example, you may consider the tools made by such brands:
- Bagerla;
- Electop;
- Simpzia;
- Caydo;
- Dorhui;
- Mayboos;
- Tandy Leather;
- Joypea;
Awls, bevelers, burnishers, gouges, cutters, glues, groovers, mauls, punches, skivers, stickers, sewing pieces, and a cutting mat – this is the necessary leather working equipment you may need when sewing leather pieces. Experienced DIYers may need even more tools and accessories for complicated leather projects. Specifics would rely on the design.
What kind of sewing machine should you use for leather?
Thick leather is typically compatible with any heavy-duty (called industrial) sewing machine that provides long and sturdy stitches. Industrial machines for leather sewing cost a lot. Other leather sewing projects can also be done with the assistance of commercial or handheld machines (the price is less than $500).
Here are a few things to look for while shopping any sewing machine for leather:
- Leather needles should be specifically designed for this machine. When attempting to stitch through dense materials, regular needles may snap or bend. Leather needles are built to be sharper and thinner than normal needles such that they bite through the substance directly;
- Look for equipment with adjustable lengths of stitching. Longer stitching will make the project’s seams even stronger;
- For usage on that specific device, the desired form of thread should be permitted. Other devices have difficulty utilizing heavier, sticky threads or loops. Thicker threads should be able to be treated by a sewing machine made especially for leather;
- You ought to use separate stitching needles and presser feet for sewing real leather or imitation leather. And you should realize that not every sewing machine that can sew these fabrics is worthy of doing so. These rough materials can quickly be sewn on industrial sewing machines;
Some of the best leather sewing machines under $400 are:
- Singer 5532;
- Singer 4432;
- Janome HD3000;
- Janome HD1000;
If you can pay up to $2500, consider buying an industrial leather sewing machine. Some of the best models under this category are Juki DNU 1541S and Juki DNU 1541.
What is the easiest leather thing to sew for beginners?
There are so many leather-sewing ideas for beginners who need to test their theoretic skills. A few examples of simple leather items you may sew even with the basic skills:
- A portable first-aid kit;
- A zipper pouch for makeup tools or pencils;
- A simple sunglasses case;
- Easy, one-compartment clutch;
- A simple apron;
- A non-slip headband;
- A few leather napkins;
- A pillow cover;
- A keychain holder;
- A laptop/tablet/smartphone case;
How should you make DIY sewing patterns?
When you choose to make your sewing designs, there really are just 5 strategies that you can pick from:
- Drafting with your own body proportions / measuring guide from scratch;
- Trace an actual clothing piece that suits perfectly, which really copies your chosen clothes;
- Deconstruct an established garment piece that suits well and build a template out of it;
- Modify a professional sewing pattern that is well-fitting;
- Draping 3D to generate a 2-dimensional design;
The easiest way to make your sewing pattern:
- Think of a pattern, according to your leather sewing project;
- Cut out a piece of bubble wrap and add it with pins to your dress/accessory shape;
- Then pin where there may be seams or darts, and take a sharpie or marker to draw it on the dress/accessory shape;
- Change a pattern as you like. Your imagination is the only limit at this point. Make sure you have enough space for the seams;
Is it possible to sew on the leather without a pattern?
It is much better to sew without a template if you understand how to sew in the first place. A few tips for sewing on the leather without any pattern:
- Practice and perform basic stitching. Try doing accurate and straight seams on the scraps of fabric/faux leather;
- Find yourself a sewing machine with a pre-set number of patterns for stitches;
- Do some sketches;
- Do a flat DIY pattern. You’ve got to see all the pieces of the future leather object break into flat forms. By turning the object inside out and placing a slice of cardboard inside it behind the piece you’re looking at, this can easily be achieved. You’re going to be able to see the part’s flat shape and you can trace it if you want;
- The most critical factor to bear in mind is that you do not want your leather to have excessive gaps. This means – do not use unnecessary pins! To tie the seams intact, apply wonder clips, bulldog clips, or hairpins instead;
- Bear in mind that you should not sew over the same place if you have a mistake and need to pull out your stitches because you can damage the seam with extra holes;
- You won’t be able to backstitch with leather. Pull your thread to the back when you’re finished with your stitch line and hand knot it to protect your stitching line;
- Using low fire, no steam and a pressure pad, natural leather could be gently pressed;
- A hump jumper can make stitching without missed stitches much simpler for bulky places such as seam intersections;
- Use a sturdy polyester string for the seams. Accurate stitches can be created with special nylon threads, but you can also play with upholstery threads;
Video Tutorial: Sewing Leather by Hand
Conclusion:
Most leather-sewing kits included in this review are for beginners. If you are making the first steps into the world of such an interesting hobby as leathercraft, any of the above-mentioned kits will help to make the beginner’s projects. All these sets are affordable, simple to use and relatively durable.
I personally really like the DIY packaging set because it has all of the necessities for a sewing set. I would rather purchase a package which has all of the items I need instead of having to purchase multiple different packages.
This is a great list of the best sewing stitching sets for leather. Tools with a perfect enter point, quality construction, and varying pieces will go a long way toward your stitching efforts. You do not need many tools to get started. I ordered a basic stitching kit online via Amazon initially.
Hello, Jared! Thanks for the comment.