Thank you for watching Judy. This test was done with just the standard needle. You should see what it can do with a leather needle and a walking foot, weeee...
Thanks for a great video. I’m currently looking to purchase a Singer 404 and need to know if it will sew through vinyl and leather. Beautiful stitch on this machine.. can you please advise what tension you would need to sew through a few layers of vinyl..??
I have sewn thru vinyl and some leathers. Keep in mind it is not an industrial model. Vinyl was easy to sew thru as well as garment leathers, canvas, duck cloth, heavy denims, etc. Using the correct size/type of needle is important with leather. Leather needles and denim needles have heavier shanks and the leather needles have more of a "knife" point to slice the leather. You can download a free copy of the manual for model 404 from Singer Support at the bottom of this page: www.singer.com/search/support?title=404 The manual has a list of needle/thread sizes for different fabrics. Each machine is different and different thread sizes will need different tensions, so there is no "certain" tension for sewing anything. If the tension assembly is clean and adjusted they you just try sewing a sample of the material until you find the best looking stitch and use that tension. Too see another 404 sewing video using several layers of heavy material see this video: ua-cam.com/video/iHfMa-8SQmk/v-deo.html Here is a 56-video Playlist of of the full restoration of a model 404, including the tension, if you discover the machine you buy has a couple of problems: ua-cam.com/play/PLsCOZgzzaiKIB4kvIHCfHYuyLMUp5A4UI.html BTW, I once cut apart a coke can and sewed through it!
@@andytubesewing1953 .. Thank you so much for your in-depth advice. Very much appreciated. I’ve just purchased a German Singer 404 G. I’m so pleased with this machine. It’s a beautiful model and I’m in my happy space figuring it all out. Looking forward to watching more of your informative videos.
@@dianeperkins9294 it sounds great! Congratulations! The German models have very slight differences here and there of the US models, but the video should still pertain. So happy for you. Take care
Welcome. I usually test sew with a Singer size 14 needle. There are specialty needles for leather. I used a Singer Jeans Needle size 16 for my upholstery project. (Covered my sofa in denim) Follow this link to my slide show of the original needle chart for the Model 404, and have fun at your class! ua-cam.com/video/VPu4pnMIqa4/v-deo.html
Yes to both. Walmart, JoAnns and fabric stores. If you tell them at a craft store what machine you have and what you will be sewing, they will recommend the best choices. If you know what you need, therre are dozens of sellers on eBay for needles, and hundreds of online sellers.
Absolutely! The 404 has a heavier main horizontal shaft, needle & presser foot bars, and much larger/heavier crank than the 301A. The 404 also weighs more and has a bigger body. The 404 has front drop-in bobbin with a horizontal rotary hook; so easy to use. You can also lower the feed dogs with a simple lever on the front right corner of the bed for free hand sewing and custom design. Think of the 301A as a portable, strong, enduring machine built for finesse. The 404 as more of a bench model, built for power and strength! Keep in mind these are Domestic Machines, not Industrial or Commercial. As a Fashion Designer the 404 would be a good fit for you. If you want to make many copies of what you design, then go for A Commercial Model. Special needles to sew leather are readily available and inexpensive. I would also spend a couple of dollars on a roller type presser foot. You can go to Singer website and enter the model numbers and download free instruction manuals with more detailed info about capabilities and attachments. Here: www.singerco.com/support/instruction-manuals After you craft with leather, we would love to see it on your page. If you do use either model please lets us know your opinion.
Bought a 404 in 1959. I made hundreds of dresses, coats, suits, curtains, even swimsuits!....But, I never considered sewing on leather. OMGoodness!
Thank you for watching Judy. This test was done with just the standard needle. You should see what it can do with a leather needle and a walking foot, weeee...
That’s amazing ❤
It is a very versatile machine for sure. My favorite vintage singer heavy duty straight stitch sewing machine. Thank you for watching.
Thanks for a great video. I’m currently looking to purchase a Singer 404 and need to know if it will sew through vinyl and leather. Beautiful stitch on this machine..
can you please advise what tension you would need to sew through a few layers of vinyl..??
I have sewn thru vinyl and some leathers. Keep in mind it is not an industrial model. Vinyl was easy to sew thru as well as garment leathers, canvas, duck cloth, heavy denims, etc. Using the correct size/type of needle is important with leather. Leather needles and denim needles have heavier shanks and the leather needles have more of a "knife" point to slice the leather. You can download a free copy of the manual for model 404 from Singer Support at the bottom of this page: www.singer.com/search/support?title=404
The manual has a list of needle/thread sizes for different fabrics.
Each machine is different and different thread sizes will need different tensions, so there is no "certain" tension for sewing anything. If the tension assembly is clean and adjusted they you just try sewing a sample of the material until you find the best looking stitch and use that tension. Too see another 404 sewing video using several layers of heavy material see this video: ua-cam.com/video/iHfMa-8SQmk/v-deo.html
Here is a 56-video Playlist of of the full restoration of a model 404, including the tension, if you discover the machine you buy has a couple of problems: ua-cam.com/play/PLsCOZgzzaiKIB4kvIHCfHYuyLMUp5A4UI.html
BTW, I once cut apart a coke can and sewed through it!
@@andytubesewing1953 .. Thank you so much for your in-depth advice. Very much appreciated. I’ve just purchased a German Singer 404 G. I’m so pleased with this machine. It’s a beautiful model and I’m in my happy space figuring it all out. Looking forward to watching more of your informative videos.
@@dianeperkins9294 it sounds great! Congratulations! The German models have very slight differences here and there of the US models, but the video should still pertain. So happy for you. Take care
Thanks! This will do great then for an upholstery class I am taking! What brand and size needle are you using here.
Woops nvm. Its a reg. 14 size needle.
Welcome. I usually test sew with a Singer size 14 needle. There are specialty needles for leather. I used a Singer Jeans Needle size 16 for my upholstery project. (Covered my sofa in denim)
Follow this link to my slide show of the original needle chart for the Model 404, and have fun at your class!
ua-cam.com/video/VPu4pnMIqa4/v-deo.html
Wow thanks. Could I buy them online or at any major craft store?
Yes to both. Walmart, JoAnns and fabric stores. If you tell them at a craft store what machine you have and what you will be sewing, they will recommend the best choices.
If you know what you need, therre are dozens of sellers on eBay for needles, and hundreds of online sellers.
you said you would use this one for leather over the 301a?
Absolutely! The 404 has a heavier main horizontal shaft, needle & presser foot bars, and much larger/heavier crank than the 301A. The 404 also weighs more and has a bigger body. The 404 has front drop-in bobbin with a horizontal rotary hook; so easy to use. You can also lower the feed dogs with a simple lever on the front right corner of the bed for free hand sewing and custom design.
Think of the 301A as a portable, strong, enduring machine built for finesse. The 404 as more of a bench model, built for power and strength! Keep in mind these are Domestic Machines, not Industrial or Commercial. As a Fashion Designer the 404 would be a good fit for you. If you want to make many copies of what you design, then go for A Commercial Model.
Special needles to sew leather are readily available and inexpensive. I would also spend a couple of dollars on a roller type presser foot.
You can go to Singer website and enter the model numbers and download free instruction manuals with more detailed info about capabilities and attachments. Here: www.singerco.com/support/instruction-manuals
After you craft with leather, we would love to see it on your page.
If you do use either model please lets us know your opinion.