Yes, I did both vinyl and leather. You do need special needle for that. Call you embroidery machine dealer. The other thing is I also thin the stitches because if the stitches are too thick and dense, the edge will seperate. I did not hoop my. I used sticky which is the hoopless stabilizer or the vilene prespray with 505 on it. That way you won't get hoop burn. Hope all these are helpful to you.

Bunnylane,
I do the same as ssarner.
I also use a special needle (for leather)

I agree with ssarner I also use a needle 4 leather & use stickey - you would struggle with a hoop - hope all turns out well xx

If you are making boat seat covers, I would think that the embroidery part would be the easiest part of the job. We have had so many boats over the last 35 years, and not one of them has had an embroidery design on the seats. Of course don't think of hooping your fabric-have you even looked and measured the fabric for a seat? I don't think you have even thought about this question, or you wouldn't have asked. Doesn't even make sense to me. Good luck--let your brother go shopping somewhere else.

Hi Bunny, Sorry I haven't embroidered on vinyl though I have sewn many vinyl items and I always use a ballpoint needle especially made for stitching on vinyl. I know these needles are available for embroidery too.

You can't go past the tutorials on Embroidery Library for the kind of help you need. link below look for faux leather.
Hugs n roses, Meganne