I've spent the better part of a day trying to figure out how to use a borrowed 'leather stitching awl' It has a bobbin on it that holds the synthetic sinew. The person I borrowed it from has no idea as to how to use it so that's a no go. I've now broken off the needle or awl shaft. So I owe someone a new one. In the process I've messed up my sheath that has taken me days to create. How the #$@%^$##@ do you stitch leather???????????????!!!!!!!!!!! It's real soft and thin leather to boot. It's all I could find. How are you guys doing this?
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I'm furious! How do you stitch leather?
- Thread starter JimG
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I discovered once I stopped using that synthetic sinew and started using waxed linen thread, everything got 50% better immediately. I don't have a stitching awl per se', what I use is something called a speedy stitcher as my awl. I have a bad habit of breaking needles, and they are easily replaced on the stitcher when I do break one so I can keep going. I punch my holes using the speedy stitcher as my awl, then I use a saddle stitch. A saddle stitch is two needles going back and forth thru the same holes all the way down, around the bottom and back up to the top where the two threads end up on the same side and are tied off. The saddle stitch is strong, and you can easily splice in new sewing thread if yours breaks or it gets too short. You can find how to do the saddle stitch by doing a search on the web. Lose the synthetic sewing thread !!
Ohio Rusty
Ohio Rusty
if yer looking fer a stitch that looks like this on both sides of the sheath it's called a saddle stitch....
you use two needles at each end of the thread to sew it like this....
start at an end hole.... leather punch comes in handy here....and just follow the pattern above...............bob
you use two needles at each end of the thread to sew it like this....
start at an end hole.... leather punch comes in handy here....and just follow the pattern above...............bob
Saddle Stitch
Saddle stitch consists of two rows of simple running stitch and is sewn using two needles. This gives a strong and even stitch which is suitable for most leather-working.
Thread a needle onto each end of a long piece of thread. Make a line of holes in the leather using an awl and pass one end of the thread through the first hole (figure 1). Even up the length of thread on each side of the leather. Stitch with each needle using simple running stitch - pass a needle from front to back through the next hole (figure 2) and then pass the other needle from back to front through the same hole (figure 3). Continue along the line of holes. Finish off by passing both needles onto one side of the leather and tying the two threads together (using a reef-knot).
This is the best method I have used and seen. :hatsoff:
Davy
Saddle stitch consists of two rows of simple running stitch and is sewn using two needles. This gives a strong and even stitch which is suitable for most leather-working.
Thread a needle onto each end of a long piece of thread. Make a line of holes in the leather using an awl and pass one end of the thread through the first hole (figure 1). Even up the length of thread on each side of the leather. Stitch with each needle using simple running stitch - pass a needle from front to back through the next hole (figure 2) and then pass the other needle from back to front through the same hole (figure 3). Continue along the line of holes. Finish off by passing both needles onto one side of the leather and tying the two threads together (using a reef-knot).
This is the best method I have used and seen. :hatsoff:
Davy
flm_shooter
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JimG said:
Poorly. :cursing:
I gave up on those speedy awls too.
Guest
Here's three tutorials on doing leather work that should be of help..........
[url] http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_leatherstitch.html[/url]
[url] http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_stitchpony.html[/url]
[url] http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/mexloop/_mexloop.html[/url]
BTW - a "cleaner" more professional way of ending your stitching is by backstitching 3-4 stitches rather than using a knot.....
[url] http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_leatherstitch.html[/url]
[url] http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_stitchpony.html[/url]
[url] http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/mexloop/_mexloop.html[/url]
BTW - a "cleaner" more professional way of ending your stitching is by backstitching 3-4 stitches rather than using a knot.....
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You can get a chisel point needle and that punches right through leather. You can also use an awl and punch holes in advance so your needle, finger or palm doesn't have to bear the punishment. Consider taking a leather sewing class at Conner Prairie's Arms Making Workshop. Master Ken Scott will teach you how to make a hunting pouch and then artificially age it. Jim Weston can show you how to make a portmanteau. Classes are in October and the camaraderie is great. You'll meet some famous gun makers there too.
JimG said:
Scroll down at Site for info & pics on using said tool for making lock stitches.
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:1vSZRKuoZLQJ:www.rd.com/familyhandyman/content/18232+using+stitching+awl&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=3
JimG said:
Hi Jim G.
I use a leather punch awl for the holes and then saddle stitch it. If you are making a knife sheath, I'd highly recommend putting a welt in it.
The welt is just an additional piece of leather put in where the sheath is stitched together. That way the sharp edge of the knife is resting against leather instead of against the stitching you used to put it together. If you don't use a welt, you should expect your knife to cut through your stitching after a while (rivets or copper wire would also protect the stitching)
I'd suggest folding your leather over, putting in the additional piece of leather as the welt, and then punching holes through all three pieces at once. Saddle stitch them together and then trim the welt flat with the other edges of the sheath.
Good luck,
Twisted_1in66 :thumbsup:
What great instructions. Thanks guys! Like JimG, I had become frustrated with stitching too. When I was a kid, I was quite an accomplished leather carver, but trying to sew with those stitching awls with the bobbin soon turned me off on the rest of the craft. I've been trying to get back into it for a long time but had been stuck in the same place. Locally, my only source of information had been Tandy Leather, and I think we all know what that's worth.
Va.Manuf.06
58 Cal.
Gray Wolf said:
Most of the information in this thread is good but best to follow Gray Wolf's advice and great links. Follow them and you can't go wrong. :grin: You'll probably need a new piece of leather, those speedy stitchers really make a mess, they work fairly well on canvas but not on anything heavier than garment leather...
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Capt. Jas.
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I make my awls from a cut nail. Put them on a grinder til sharp. Glue them into a piee of brromstick about 2" long and rounded on top for your palm.
