Late to answer, but yes. I've sewn several leather purses and bags with my 6570, which is the same line. I've also sewn denim, upholstery fabric, canvas, and vinyl. I always said, if you can fit it under the foot, that machine will sew it! You have to be patient at some of the corners, when you're going through some 6-8 layers, but it doesn't even break a sweat going through two or three. I love Vikings and have collected/rescued many of these old beauties over the years. Those models are all metal--heavy machines, and they certainly do have an accessible hand wheel. They were made in Sweden in the 70s. If you take care of them, they will outlive us all. I've updated to a newer model embroidery machine, but I keep at least 2 6000 models on hand for the heavy sewing. Here' a photo of one of the leather bags I made on mine.