Originally Posted by J Miller

I read up and down the list and couldn't decide where this question should be posted. It doesn't have anything to do with quilting at all. So since I'll be using a vintage machine to do it I decided to put it here.

I have a project I'm thinking of. I'm going to make a zippered pouch from dear hide and some kind of soft internal padding. Not sure what that will be yet.

My questions are:
> I have a decent selection of leather needles for my machines, but do I really need them? My husband( he's an upholsterer ) he say's just a heavy needle will work.
> I want a really strong durable thread. What should I use? Brand, size, material? 69 nylon will work well or b 92 in the bobbin also
> Would it be best to use a machine with the needle facing front to rear, or side to side, or does it matter? he say side to side would be better.
> I'm planning on a straight stitch to secure the zipper, but was considering a decorative stitch over that to make it look different. Can you do that with deer hide with out ruining it? As long as it's not too close together it should be fine.


Joe