Sewing Faux Leather: Here's What I Learned

[@charlottemccaig578]

Congratulations on a job well done! I've been sewing for nearly 60 years and have seen with pleather a few times...each I swore would be my last, lol! Iv had much better luck with real leather. I would never have thought those sleeves would be that drapery either. This would be so cute with dark wash jeans and a stiletto pump or stappy sandals for a nite out with friends as well as cropped wide leg pants with a boot for the office. A great brand of adhesive is Fusi Web if you need another suggestion. Oh, btw, I really love your necklace!

[@nadejdamishkovsky1881]

I want to re-purpose an old leather garment. Do you recommend Fusi Web for leather too?

[@charlottemccaig578]

@@nadejdamishkovsky1881 No. It can be disastrous to iron leather, even with the best press cloth. You can try but I've had no luck. I think it has something to do with the tanning process. I worry about fumes that can be produced from the heat as well since you never know what chemicals were used in the tanning/dying process...especially in an older garment. The amount of heat you need to melt adhesive will usually damage the leather. I use contact cement (rubber cement) when I work with leather. I make cuff bracelets with old leather garments/purses. When sewing I use the same clips as Christine to hold seams in place, then rubber cement to keep seam allowances open. If I want to topstitch I use Tacky glue to just keep the edges in place, let it dry, then sew. Just tiny dots of glue, it can soak thru the leather if you use too much.

[@SewingandtheCity]

Thank you so much for your encouragement and kind comments, Charlotte! I would love to try real leather someday soon now that I feel like I have overcome the apprehension :-) I love your styling ideas! And thank you for the Fusi web recommendation 💜

[@jacquelineperry5752]

Thanks for the tips!

[@SewingandtheCity]

I'm glad they were useful to you! thanks to you for watching 💜💜💜

[@Pewpawpow26]

Thanks for sharing this tips❤

[@SewingandtheCity]

My pleasure 😊💜💜💜

[@thegirlwithdustonherface]

Seemed liked a major new experience! It’s so awesome to learn new sewing/making skills!

[@SewingandtheCity]

It really is! Keeps life interesting :-D

[@nadejdamishkovsky1881]

Very helpful content, Christine!

[@SewingandtheCity]

I'm so glad! Thanks for tuning in 💜

[@mscalucas]

Christine - would love to see you make a pair of pants and/or skirt with the leatherette! Thank you for the tips. Several years ago I tried making a blazer with it and had the teflon pressure foot. I seem to recall that I still had issues even using the teflon foot.

[@SewingandtheCity]

I kindof regret not making a skirt with the leatherette! So, there's something brewing there. I probably wouldv'e used a teflon foot if I had one...the walking foot was what I had and thank goodness for the stress level that it worked 😀I was thinking of you because I just pulled out my denim wrap vest now that it's getting into fall weather :-)

[@mscalucas]

@@SewingandtheCity - I'm adding a leatherette vest to be list of projects.

[@Shawn-bl5ok]

Link to purchase the tape

[@SewingandtheCity]

You can find the tape in 1$ stores!! I got it from there 💜

[@grahamhughes2025]

excellent info. Thank you

[@SewingandtheCity]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MaesRuth]

I'm not sure how well it would work with that particular type of fabric. I have had luck taking plain scotch tape and putting it on the bottom of my regular presser foot when a teflon foot was called for. I just covered the whole bottom with one piece and then trimmed off the excess.

[@SewingandtheCity]

That is absolutely genius! Thanks for sharing 💜

[@MaesRuth]

@@SewingandtheCity your welcome 😁

[@ellenmazurowski6459]

What is name. Of heat adhesive that you used

[@MaesRuth]

@@ellenmazurowski6459 it was just plain scotch tape from the dollar store. The adhesive is really weak so it makes it easier to remove when done

[@gibraltabago]

That adhesive seems to be a major game changer. What's the name and where did you buy it. I don't live in the US and I buy mostly online so it would be super helpful, thanks.

[@SewingandtheCity]

I got it from a one dollar store! It's indeed a game changer! 😊 I'm sure you can find it in any store or haberdashery 💜

[@neridacross8833]

Where do you get the adhesive from Christine?

[@SewingandtheCity]

Hi Nerida 💜 I found mine at our variety dollar store type of shop but here is one that appears the same: www.minerva.com/mp/1000143/prym-adhesive-leather-tape

[@jeanharrison7460]

Can you serge faux leather?

[@SewingandtheCity]

I think you technically could but it doesn't fray so you it might be more work than needed. You'd only be able to serge single layers due to the slippery-ness of the fabric.