How to Sew Faux Leather With and Without Sewing Machine

By
Jean Chaney
Jean Chaney
Research Writer
Jean is the brains behind her fashion label. She's a whiz with a needle and thread, and has been sewing since she was old enough to hold a pair of scissors. Jean has always read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Isabel Misner
Isabel Misner
Expert Consultant
A professional seamstress. Isabel has her own video blog where she shares her experience about all the aspects of sewing – from choosing suitable materials to step-by-step read more
Last updated: September 19, 2023
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Let’s be honest, real leather can be extremely expensive. Although you may wish that amazing leather bag could be yours, it could have a price tag you’re not wanting to splurge on. Luckily, innovations have allowed the look of faux leather to be very similar to actual leather. And the bonus is you don’t have to pay that hefty price tag. And why buy if you can make it yourself and save even more money?

So, if you are the creative type that wants to start from scratch when it comes to creating a beautiful leather bag or any other accessory you may find learning how to sew faux leather extremely beneficial. You don’t need to go out and buy an expensive piece of real leather to get the look you want. Also, you don’t have purchase a specific piece of equipment to sew faux leather.

Let’s go through the uses of faux leather as well as some tips on how to sew faux leather.

What can you use faux leather for

Faux leather Trusted Source Artificial leather - Wikipedia Artificial leather, also called synthetic leather, is a material intended to substitute for leather in upholstery, clothing, footwear, and other uses where a leather-like finish is desired but the actual material is cost-prohibitive or unsuitable. en.wikipedia.org is basically an artificial form of leather, also known as fake leather and pleather. It is now so widely used that you’d be surprised by how many products are actually faux leather instead of real leather. There are a lot of items that can be made with faux leather such as:

  • Wallets
  • Bags
  • Belts
  • Accessories

Of course, there are many other things you can create with faux leather. Keeping this in mind let’s move on to how to sew leather by hand. If you know how to sew fake leather you can make these items and more for your own use.

How to sew faux leather by hand

How to Sew Faux Leather With and Without Sewing Machine

Learning how to sew pleather—which is also another name for faux leather—is definitely helpful for those who don’t have a sewing machine because you can sew it by hand. Maybe you’ve found yourself wishing you had a sewing machine because you feel as if it’s what you need to sew. There’s no denying that a sewing machine would be great but sewing by hand can be just as efficient.

What you’ll need

How to Sew Faux Leather With and Without Sewing Machine

To sew faux leather by hand there are a few things you’ll need:

  • A cutting mat, preferably one that will last you a long time such as the OLFA Double-Sided Cutting mat as it not only helps extend your rotary cutter’s lifespan but also remains smooth no matter how many times you use it.
  • Rotary cutter.
  • A ruler.
  • Pattern weights.

What you can use instead of pins

I’m sure you’ve noticed that pins were not listed above and this is because they will leave unwanted marks on your piece of material. The material is thin enough that a pin can not only leave a mark but also puncture a hole, ruining the end result.

Instead of pins, you will need pattern weights. The name is pretty explanatory these are weights that hold down your material. This ensures that it is kept in place while you get to cutting.

Sewing process

You’ll first want to measure and cut your piece of faux leather. While weighing the material down on your cutting mat with the weights, use your rotary cutter to cut the shape or design you’re going for. The Fiskars Classic Rotary Cutter comes highly recommended so if you’re struggling to choose which one to buy definitely look into it!

Once you’ve done those steps, you can then start sewing with the sewing technique you’ve chosen. Make sure you have a thick enough needle so it can go through the faux leather without breaking.

How to machine sew faux leather

How to Sew Faux Leather With and Without Sewing Machine

The best part about sewing with a sewing machine is the fact that much of the job is done for you. With the many options out there you’ll be able to purchase a sewing machine that can do simple tasks as well as being able to sew thicker materials. For example, the SINGER Heavy Duty 4432 can do your heavy-duty tasks but can still be used for normal sewing.

These days you can purchase a sewing machine for different types of projects starting from simple hemming to heavy-duty sewing.

What you’ll need

Of course, when it comes to a sewing machine, you need a few pieces of equipment to make sure it works properly and does the job without any issues. This list includes:

  • Teflon footer or wax paper to cover the leather to ensure the metal won’t stick to it.
  • Denim sewing needles. Your usual leather sewing needles won’t work as well as they would on real leather.
  • Sewing clips. You could use glue to ensure that your pieces stay together, however, clips can be easier tools to use.
  • Thread, thicker than what you’d normally use for sewing.
  • Scrap pieces of faux leather to practice on.

Machine setup

After positioning the right needle, changing the stitch length, threading the thread, and changing the footer, your sewing machine is ready to go. There’s not much else you really need to do when it comes to setting up your machine. It’s similar to your usual setup, which is fortunate because you can then get sewing right away.

Sewing process

The main thing to watch for when sewing faux leather is making sure that it stays straight. It can sometimes go a little off track so holding it in place is key. Apart from that, you can just let the machine do all the work for you.

The items you can create are endless. Even upholstery can be an option for you with the right sewing machine.

Final thoughts

When it comes to today’s fashion, sometimes you may not find a leather item that you love or you simply can’t find something that’s in your budget. You want something that you would use as much as possible, but it must suit your pocket too. As we’ve shown, you can buy faux leather and create something unique and completely your own, and you’ll love the cost too!

Knowing how to sew faux leather can be a skill that you can use when it comes to sewing other materials too. Everyone should know the basics of sewing and when you can have the opportunity to broaden your skillset, why not jump at the chance? Sewing faux leather isn’t hard, nor will it be something you’ll struggle with—simply see what you need so the right resources help you get the best possible outcome.

Now go grab what you need and get sewing!

References

1.
Artificial leather - Wikipedia
Artificial leather, also called synthetic leather, is a material intended to substitute for leather in upholstery, clothing, footwear, and other uses where a leather-like finish is desired but the actual material is cost-prohibitive or unsuitable.
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