Thanks for all the replys!

I am heading to the thrift store tomarrow on the hunt for a pair of really really huge high hose, a jacket that properly fits that I can have altered into a kilt jacket, and a largerer womans' purse ;) / other leather products.

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?

thanks for the comments!
~Casey