Whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist leathermaker, you’ll need the right cobbler sewing machine if you’re really into sewing. Choosing a suitable sewing machine is critical in deciding whether your leather products will look as good as those you see in stores.
Don’t worry! We’re here to make the buying process easier. We’ll guide you through all the things that go into deciding whether a cobbler sewing machine is good or not.
Furthermore, we’ve got 5 excellent leather sewing machines. They’re no ordinary machines. They’re the best, but don’t let us tell you the whole story. Let’s see why they’re your best option.
Shoes Repair Sewing Machine
The best sewing machine for shoes is the Pumplus cobbler shoe repair machine. This machine can fix various types of shoes, including rubber and leather shoes.
Better yet, this repair sewing machine is relatively easy to use. In fact, it is the go-to for many beginners. So, you won’t struggle with it. The machine is also made of metal, which is pretty good for a sewing machine. It’s pretty resistant, and you won’t destroy it any time soon.
Finally, the most significant advantage this machine has over any other is reaching problematic areas when repairing shoes.
Top 5 Best Cobbler Sewing Machine
Ready to step up your game with the perfect cobbler sewing machine? Without any further ado, here are our favorite ones:
1. FamYun Cobbler Sewing Machine – Best Choice Overall
Leatherworking is fun, but doing stitches is not. Let us make your job easier with this well-made cobbler sewing machine from FamYun.
This gorgeous cobbler sewing machine is popular among leatherworkers for being extremely easy to use. Even if you don’t have that much experience, you’ll still find your way through.
The large stand it includes makes it easier for anybody who wants stability when sewing stitches on leather. What’s more, it is pretty strong, so it’ll be by your side for many years to come.
This brand has gone with a solid build for this model. It is made of metal, and it holds up pretty well to wear in the long run.
The machine is also pretty solid when it comes to sewing thick fabric. You can throw several layers of material, and it’ll pierce through them.
Why We Liked It?
- It’s pretty easy to assemble
- Perfect for leather
- Comes with a foot stand
- Handles thick fabric like a charm
Our Verdict
As far as we can tell, this cobbler sewing machine is pretty solid. We're pretty happy with the build, it gets the job done, and it's relatively easy to assemble.
2. Pumplus Leather Sewing Machine – Premium Choice
Back in the day, sewing was done merely by hand. But now we have plenty of options for this. That said, the best shoe sewing machine you can get is the cobbler machine from Pumplus.
One of the many aspects that have made this model stand out from the others is that it comes with plenty of accessories, including a sewing awl, 20 stamping tools, edge groovers, and much more.
As far as durability goes, we’d say the machine feels pretty solid. This brand used metal for the construction, which is pretty good to prevent damage.
Getting used to this machine is pretty straightforward, regardless of your background. The design doesn’t feel intimidating, and the assembly process is quite simple.
Finally, this machine is on a different level when it comes to repairing leather shoes, leather bags, backpacks, and even canvas.
Why We Liked It?
- Easy to use
- Made of metal
- Perfect for nylon and leather
- Does not make any noise
Our Verdict
This machine makes you feel pretty good with all the features it has. And it's not like they slapped a bunch of features on it just for the sake of it. Overall, we'd say it's a reliable cobbler machine.
3. Seeutek Cobbler Sewing Machine – Best for Ease of Use
Sewing leather shoes is a tremendous skill to have. But let’s be honest, it’s not that easy to get into it, especially since cobbler machines can look pretty terrifying. But that’s precisely when this model from Seeutek comes in handy. It makes things easier.
This model portraits itself as one of the best beginner-friendly machines you can get. The installation process is super simple, and maintaining it is pretty cheap.
Moreover, you can easily disassemble it to carry it around. To do this, you only need a few household tools.
The crank handle of this machine feels pretty solid. It’s nothing to write home about, but it works as intended and does not get stuck when dealing with thick fabric.
Better yet, you can even rotate the direction of the machine. Simply use your wrench and then twist it at the desired angle.
Finally, consumers have expressed how satisfied they feel with the controls. The machine offers a simple yet straightforward foot, which allows sewers to get accurate results instantly.
Why We Liked It
- Sturdy design
- Easy to operate
- Has a 360-degree enclosure
- Well-made user controls
Our Verdict
We genuinely believe that this is the best machine for starting out. Everything feels pretty smooth, and you won't spend hundreds of hours getting used to a couple of settings.
4. ECO-WORTHY Leather Sewing Machine – Best for Portability
Nothing comes close to a standard-sized sewing machine for bags and shoes— well, apart from a portable one. And that’s precisely what we have here. This leather sewing machine from ECO-WORTHY is your best bet when it comes to portability.
If anything, this machine is known for being extremely efficient and easy to use. Sewers can figure out how to use it in just a couple of minutes.
Apart from that, this model offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to fabrics. It can deal with thick materials, leather shoes, high heels, and much more.
You’ll have to set it up on your own. But it’s relatively easy. Even if you can’t figure it out on your own, there are plenty of videos out there showcasing the assembly process.
This model is also pretty durable. It is made of solid metal, so you won’t have to worry about it getting damaged after a few weeks.
Finally, they’ve also been nice enough to add a couple of accessories, including a few nylon coils, needles, and a shuttle.
Why We Liked It?
- Holds up pretty well
- Quiet performance
- Can reach difficult areas
- Easy to set up
Our Verdict
This model is an excellent mix of portability, ease of use, and performance. That said, this is the ideal choice if you're willing to spend money on a reliable cobbler sewing machine to grow your skills.
5. YUEWO Leather Sewing Machine – Best for Durability
The struggle of finding a durable cobbler sewing machine is real. Most people struggle with it, so don’t feel bad. But it won’t be anymore with this model from YUEWO. Finally, this journey has come to an end.
While many other competitors struggle to withstand external damage, this one holds up like a charm. It is made of heavy-duty iron for extra safeness. What’s more, it makes no noise when sewing.
Another feature that makes this model so attractive is that you can reach difficult areas. Simply adjust the arm, and you’re good to go.
Like the other models shown in this guide, this one can also sew different thick fabrics. Whether it be shoes, leather bags, or backpacks, this one has you covered.
What’s more, it also includes a stand, though some sewers would rather take it off and make their stand.
Why We Liked It?
- Made of heavy-duty iron
- Super easy to sew stitches
- Gorgeous build
- Perfect for leather
Our Verdict
After carefully comparing it with other cobbler sewing machines, we can safely say that this is the best option for durability. And to top it off, it has premium features any sewer needs to get stunning results.
What is a cobbler sewing machine?
A cobbler sewing machine is specially made for stitching leather and heavy fabric. Unlike a regular sewing machine, a leather one does not have a motor.
Instead, you have to turn the handle for the machine to work manually. The cobbler sewing machine also has an advantage over the sewing machine because it is portable and quiet.
Using a leather stitching machine is pretty simple, and the results are outstanding compared to hand stitching. Simply thread the machine, turn the handle, and you’re good to go.
Cobbler Sewing Machine Purchase Guides
We know how daunting and time-consuming it is to read cobbler sewing machine reviews to find a good one. However, with our tips, you’ll make the right purchase. Just keep them in mind when getting one, and you’ll be fine.
Stand
Most cobbler sewing machines come with some sort of stand. So, you should be good in that regard. However, the stock might feel clunky.
We’ve seen consumers point out that the stand wobbles a lot when they move the handle, which is rather annoying. Instead, they end up getting their own custom stand.
Sewing Kit
You’ll also need to decide whether you want to get extra accessories with your cobbler sewing machine. For the most part, leather machines include leather accessories, such as sewing awls, stamping tools, and waxed threads.
Of course, high-end leather sewing machines offer more accessories than others. But it’s up to you if you need that many. Overall, it’s nice to have them around in case you ever need them.
Construction
Similar cobbler sewing machines can differ drastically in durability. So, you might end up getting a weak machine even though it is from a well-known company. To prevent that, get a leather machine made of metal or iron. Those two materials are pretty good for a leather stitching machine.
Avoid cheaply made cobbler machines. They’re not suitable for intensive work, and you’ll spend more money down the line.
Portability
Getting a portable cobbler sewing machine is an excellent investment if you travel a lot. Think of it this way: a heavy cobbler sewing machine is pretty hard to carry around. It’s not the best when it comes to flexibility.
For instance, an extraordinary lightweight machine must weigh roughly 20 pounds. Anything above that number might be hard to carry around.
Heavy-Duty Fabrics
Keep in mind that not all sewing machines are designed for thick fabrics. This means that you’ll have to be careful when getting one if you plan to deal with heavy-duty materials, including leather shoes, leather bags, and so on.
Cobbler Sewing Machine Parts
Finding spare parts for your Chinese cobbler sewing machine can be the beginning of a long journey. They’ve gotten a lot better over the years, but they’re just like cars. You’ll need to get new parts eventually.
Companies like Pumplus and many others offer plenty of replacement parts for your machine. Other third-sellers offer these spare parts, but you’re better off getting the stock ones from the same company unless you can’t find them from the same seller.
There’s also this company called “Bantam Saddle Tack,” which sells plenty of spare parts if you can’t find one on Amazon and eBay.
Electric Cobbler Sewing Machine
Chinese Electric leather sewing machines are pretty efficient and cheap. However, most of them are hand-cranked machines. There’s no motor, which is rather inconvenient if you don’t like using a handle.
But it’s pretty simple to slap a motor on these machines for roughly $50-120. That said, get a motor for the machine, a polyurethane belting, a pulley, an offset light bracket, and some oil to grease the new engine.
You can also slap a heavy-duty motor on the machine if you need more power. But those are somewhat expensive and defeat the whole purpose of getting one of these cheap machines.
Needles of Cobbler Sewing Machine
The size of the needle is always going to change depending on the leather you want to sew. Let’s go with anywhere from 3 to 5 ounces just for the sake of it.
The needle size that is recommended for that can be anywhere from 14 to 18. But if you were to work on bigger projects like a 6-to-8-ounce leather, you would need a 21 needle. For really thick threads, anywhere above 22 would be perfect.
Most modern cobbler sewing machines come in various needle sizes. Whether it be lightweight or thick leather, they always include one for that kind of job.
Cobbler Sewing Machine Threads
For sewing leather, a bonded nylon thread is the way to go. This type of thread for sewing leather is recommended as it’s quite sturdy. Typically, bonded threads are covered in a protective shield to increase resistance to abrasion, heat, and even frying.
What’s more, this type of thread is relatively smooth. For example, when the thread is going through the layers of leather and rubber, it’ll be much easier and more efficient.
Another excellent option for sewing leather, rubber, and vinyl is the monofilament thread. This is usually the thread most cobbler sewing machines come with.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For more information about cobbler sewing machines, check this out:
A regular sewing machine is going to have a hard time sewing upholstery. Instead, use a cobbler sewing machine.
Get needles designed for leather. 90/14 and 100/16 needles are pretty good for most leather projects.
The machine is intended for other materials, but you can still use it to sew leather. That is, as long as you get heavy-duty threads and needles for sewing leather.
Our favorite choice for the best sewing machine for shoes is this well-made leather stitching machine from FamYun. When choosing a shoe-sewing model, there are many reasons why this one is an excellent purchase.
First, you can use this machine for rubber, leather, trousers and much more. And the results are just gorgeous.
Second, it is pretty easy to use. Seriously, there’s nothing strange about this machine. There are no fancy electronic features or anything of the sort. Simply set up the machine, hand-crank the handle, and you’re good to go.
If you’ve been hand stitching leather, you’ve probably asked yourself whether you can use your standard sewing machine for this. And the answer to that is, yes, you can totally use a regular sewing machine for sewing leather bags and shoes.
But you can’t just use a regular thread as it will not end up well for you. Instead, pick up a heavy-duty thread or get an upholstery thread.
After that, get leather sewing needles. They are designed to pierce through leather perfectly. Regular needles do not work for sewing leather bags, and you’ll only mess up your project.
Conclusion
Sewing and repairing your own leather shoes feel fantastic. But the process behind choosing the best cobbler sewing machine can be rather time-consuming.
We also know how easy it is to go on Amazon and choose the best-selling one, and while you might get away with it, there’s a high chance you’ll end up with one you don’t like or does not work as expected.
We did a lot of research on this topic and figured that only 5 machines were good enough for a review. That said, any of these machines will help you achieve fantastic results.
Very interesting información about that kind of machine, I have one, and I am glad about things about thread and middles. Thanks for that.