Needle for leather: understand the point before sewing.
Leather needles use a cutting point. That changes the material risk: a point intended for leather can leave permanent holes in ordinary fabric. Check the material and exact machine instructions before use.
United Kingdom edition. The manufacturer’s point and system codes are retained. Check product availability and machine instructions for the UK model you own. UK terminology and label notes.
Manufacturer facts, kept separate from fit advice
SCHMETZ Leather family page reviewed October 19, 2026.
- 1
System
The household Leather family is labelled 130/705 H LL. Confirm that your specific machine manual allows that system.
- 2
Intended material
SCHMETZ lists leather and hard synthetic leather. The product page says the cutting needle is not for textiles.
- 3
Published sizes
The listed range is NM 70 through NM 120. This is a manufacturer range, not a recommendation to choose the largest size or to use it on every leather thickness.
- 4
Test and stop safely
Follow the material supplier and machine-maker instructions. Test a small scrap if appropriate, protect the work, and stop if the machine binds, the needle deflects, or the machine contacts an accessory.
Why the caution matters.
A cutting point makes a slit rather than simply parting textile threads. Unlike a reversible test mark, a leather puncture can remain visible. The word “leather” also covers different constructions; this page does not certify a material, machine capacity, needle size, or stitch quality.
Leather needle questions.
Can I sew faux leather with a leather needle?
Do not assume so. SCHMETZ specifically warns that soft synthetic leather may be damaged. Check the material maker’s guidance and test only in a safe, inconspicuous area if the manual and material guidance permit.
Can I use a leather needle on woven fabric?
SCHMETZ says the cutting needle is not for textiles. Choose a documented textile family instead and confirm its system against your machine manual.
Does the size range tell me the right size for a specific leather?
Not on its own. Singer’s starting point is 14/90 or 16/100; SCHMETZ’s leather family runs NM 70 to NM 120. Neither source gives sizes by leather thickness, so test on a scrap of the same leather and stack. Thick or multi-layer leather may be beyond a household machine; check its manual.
Source and decision boundary.
- Singer: Choosing the right machine needles — fabric chart: leather, suede, buckskin with a wedge-point needle, 14/90 or 16/100, checked October 20, 2026.
- SCHMETZ Leather needle — system, point, intended materials, sizes, and cautions.
- SCHMETZ needle anatomy — size notation.
Starting sizes are printed as Singer gives them. They are a first needle to test, not a machine-specific fit recommendation.