Quote Originally Posted by cwr89 View Post
now, the question is, is it safe to machine sew the thinner leather that I might salvedge from the thrift stuff? I have an (it is actually my mothers and she just taught me how to use it a week ago) ancient (about 30 years old) Singer Strait Stitch machine, she only has 1 needle for it and it is like a medum needle it works in most all the fabrics I have used. I just don't have the dexterity to make the sewing line up correctly. Or, is it recommended that I do it by hand?
Depends on the machine. As others have said, make sure you get a leather needle: they're stronger, and designed to punch through leather.

I have a 50 year old Singer that can more or less manage leather, but I need to go extremely slowly -- it's almost easier to run the machine by hand (hand turning the drive wheel -- I did mention it's an OLD machine, right?) and just use the motor for a little bit of a boost when I'm trying to get through the material. A lot of newer ones, though, are a lot weaker, and can't really manage it, so you might want to try working your way up to it, starting with a heavy fabric, and working up to leather one step at a time.