I have a Consew walking foot - I understand those are what people use for sewing leather - they have a nice long stitch and a strong needle bar and feed the material through evenly. That said - they cost a lot and take up an incredible amount of room. I think you are using light enough weight leather that it isn't going to bend a needle shaft. I would for sure use a leather needle - better piercing and easier to sew (possibly easier on the machine) If I were to use any home machine I think it would be a Japanese 15 - I have considered that those would sew heavy duty stuff better than anything other than an industrial. If it bends a needle bar - you can always find another one. I would also want a some what long stitch so you aren't just making perforations that would tear off later. If all else - go look GW or any other store for some leather thing of the size and what you are looking to make and look at the stitching. What thread and what stitch length did they use?