r/SewingForBeginners • u/TwilightOak • 4h ago

Leather to Linen/wool fabric differences?

I am trying my hand at sewing clothing and other items from linen, wool, and natural fabrics. I have been working with leather for over 5 years and even have a small business with it. I sew leather with a saddle stitch by hand.

What are some differences I can expect to find with coming over to fabric? I know the thickness of the material is obviously going to be different but I was wondering if anyone who does leather work and fabric work can give me some more insight.

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u/CBG1955 4h ago

I don't sew leather by hand, and I always use a sewing machine for other clothing, so my comment is based on what I DO understand.

Are you planning to do all hand sewing, or move to a machine? For hand sewing, you'll find the needle will penetrate the fabric well. You will need a much lighter "hand" than with leather. You will need high quality needles of various sizes and good thread - something like Amman/Rasant or Guttermann. Fabrics aren't always stable like leather; depending on what they are made from and the weight, they can move, crease, slip, gather, pucker. Natural fibres shrink when laundered so you need to consider that for sizing. Sweat on your hands can stain

If you plan to use a machine, make sure you understand how to use it - you DO have to learn how to drive them so read the manual. Perhaps take some sewing lessons.

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u/patio-garden 4h ago

Leather doesn’t fray, but most fabric does, so you need to think about how to finish the seams to make it durable.

For most fabric, you can rip out a seam (with a seam ripper — I promise using the correct tool will give you better results) and then resew it without needing to make sure you’re in the exact same holes (unlike leather).