Janome Excel 5018

[NathalieBlanche]

Hello

I own a Janome Excel Decor 5018, and would like to do some non conventional work with it, such as sewing on Leather and tick canvas. I would like to buy a WALKING FOOT device (design for that kind of works),install it and try out some stiches. But, i'm affraid to do so because it is not an industrial machine and the motor won't probably support it. Can anyone help me out with this? What i should do?, buy an industrial machine to do the work?

Thanks

[Mom of Six]

Welcome!
I have sewn leather & canvas with my regular machine. I don't know anything about your particular machine but as long as it isn't a lightweight or you are not sewing multiple layers i would think you should be OK. A hint for leather is lay some tissue paper duner the fabric to keep it from sticking to the throat plate.

[plrlegal]

I have no idea what kind of needles your machine requires, but Schmetz makes a leather labeled specifically for leather. My local Hancock's carries them.

Patsy

[MartySews2]

My Pfaff machine uses a teflon foot for working with leather. Just remember there is no ripping out stitches on leather without tragic consequences. The once or twice time I've sewn on leather, I glued the pieces together, let it dry overnight, and then stitched. My Pfaff even let me embroider on balsa wood as well as TP. It's an amazing home sewing machine.
Marty

[Here_Fishey]

Hmm, well, I don't have a Janome, but they seem to do pretty well. I would seriously look at any after-market device to install on any machine that I used. (I would research reliability, and possible damages to my machine caused by using one. Also possible warranty issues, etc.)

And I would also check with at least one dealer for my machine to see what they recommend for sewing on what I am wanting to try with the machine. They may actually have something that works well, and recommendations on how to sew the item.

BTW any machine worth its weight will sew on leather with the right needles and foot. (a leather needle is not an option, you HAVE to have one! and a teflon foot, or use the tissue paper under the foot)

[LeapFrog Libby]

I made a suede vest out of cowhide suede 40 or so years ago with my Singer 221 and a leather needle.. It was still in good shape when we divorced some years ago.. I have a leather needle I bought for my Janome Memory Craft 4000 that I used on some heavyweight denim to make a laundry bag.. They were out of the jeans needles that day and I couldn't wait.. It worked great.. I now have jeans needles for next time.. BTW I did not have any trouble with the suede not moving correctly.. I did not use any paper.

[HeyJudee]

Here are some links I found with info on how to sew leather....hope this helps.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2038402_sew-leather-standard-sewing-machine.html
http://www.howtodothings.com/hobbies/a3740-how-to-sew-leather.html

[got2bjennyg]

A walking foot won't hurt your machine at all as long as it is the proper shank size and has the correct width needle opening for your machine.

Your Janome is a low shank machine with a slightly wider zz width. Be certain to get a walking foot specifically for the horizontal/drop-in bobbin Janome machines, or it won't line up properly with your needle plate opening.

A walking foot simply reduces the resistance between the bottom of the presser foot and the top layer of fabric. This keeps the top layer from "growing" and helps prevent shifting when sewing multiple layers.

Now- as far as industrial machines, they are intended for high volume production work as one might find in a factory. Some are made to just sew shirt weight fabric, not heavy stuff, but they can do it well at a lightening fast speed for multiple 8 hour shifts every day, week after week. They are most commonly more task specific than our home machines which are "jacks-of-all-trades" in comparison. So, if you want an industrial machine for sewing heavy materials, be certain to get one made specifically for that. An example would be a Tacsew T111-155 http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp03801.html?ppc=cjpdt Not just any old "industrial" will do.

Leather- any decent home machine can sew CLOTHING weight leather (think of a skirt or pants) with the proper needle, presser foot and sewing techniques.

As far as sewing canvas, it would depend on the number of layers and the weight of the fabric. My daughter hems jeans regularly with her Janome 4052LX and as long as she presses the thick seam well, uses the proper needle and keeps the presser foot level approaching and over the "hump", she has no problems. Now, if she was doing this for hours every day, it would take it's toll on the machine in no time. Once every few weeks- no problem.