Uploaded January 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Unfortunately it's not just a simple answer when it comes to choosing the right leather, cork, or vinyl for your sewing project since there are a lot of factors that come into play like 1) what are you making? A slouchy hobo style bag or a raw edged wallet? 2) what machine are you sewing with and what thickness can it handle? 3) how thick is the vinyl and what kind of temper does it have (temper refers to the hand feel and varies from a soft drape-y temper all the way up to a super stiff temper with zero drape. I tend to think of soft pliable leather as having little temper and stiffer leather having more temper—It makes sense in my mind 😆). Things to consider are the project you're making, the sewing machine you are using, and how thick or thin you need the material to be. Here are my personal tips for selecting the right material for your project and how to determine if it needs any additional interfacing.
Unfortunately it's not just a simple answer when it comes to choosing the right leather, cork, or vinyl for your sewing project since there are a lot of factors that come into play like 1) what are you making? A slouchy hobo style bag or a raw edged wallet? 2) what machine are you sewing with and what thickness can it handle? 3) how thick is the vinyl and what kind of temper does it have (temper refers to the hand feel and varies from a soft drape-y temper all the way up to a super stiff temper with zero drape. I tend to think of soft pliable leather as having little temper and stiffer leather having more temper—It makes sense in my mind 😆). Things to consider are the project you're making, the sewing machine you are using, and how thick or thin you need the material to be. Here are my personal tips for selecting the right material for your project and how to determine if it needs any additional interfacing.
