Ow My Fingers!

[Cosmoline]

I've been doing some basic leather sewing lately, just small projects like a pipe pouch. I've got leather needles and the fake sinew, but I'm having a heck of a time getting the eye end of the needle through the leather. Do I need to pre-punch all the holes even in suede? Or is there some trick to this? Maybe wetting it? Tips would be appreciated, and I couldn't find this on the search feature.

 

[rice1817]

I take it that you have the glover's needles which have a diamond-shaped cross section. They are a little light to push through any but the softest, lightest leather like rabbit or goat. I generally use a leather thimble and push the needle through by grabbing it between padded thumb and forefinger.

If you are using saddle-stitching needles, which are blunt, then you will have to punch each hole with a diamond-shaped awl before pushing the needles through in opposite directions.

 

[El Lobo]

A really good guide to traditional leather work is T.C. Albert's Recreating the 18th Century Hunting Pouch. His website is good, too. It is at www.thehuntingpouch.com. Good luck with your projects.

 

[dodgecity]

I'm an amateur, although a persistent one, when it comes to leather working. I would suggest, as has been mentioned, to make sure you are using the proper needle (a glovers needle), and that it is of a proper size. Buy a block of bees wax to lubricate the needle. If there is still too much resistance, use an awl to punch a guide hole for the needle.

 

[Cosmoline]

Thanks! It was the beeswax I was forgetting.

 

this might help, my full-time business is handsewing leather and this is the method I use..... http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_leatherstitch.html

 

[akhawkeye]

You might also give this site a look-see...
http://www.leatherworker.net/forum/

Lots of good info on there.

Colin

 

[paulvallandigham]

My first needle was only about 2 1/2 inches long, and really was hard on my fingers. Then, I found a suttler that was selling glover's needles with a very long shank- about 8 inches long. I bought one. BOY, does that make it easier to sew leather by letting me grab the needle with my 4 fingers and thumb, rather than just one finger and thumb.

I have seen these long shank needles in some of the supplier catalogs, but can't remember which ones off-hand. They are also known as upholstery needles, and any furniture shop that does re-upholstery can probably find you a supplier for them.

 

[BillinOregon]

When Gray Wolf speaks, Bill in Oregon listens.

 

[mazo kid]

I have two good buddies who are veterinarians and rendezvousers and I get the suture needles from them (you could probably order on-line). These needles have a small radius 90 degree bend near the eye end and they make sewing pipe bags, leather breeches, etc. very easy. They come in several different lengths and sizes.

 

[JamesG]

You can split fake sinew into servara piece.

 

[Charles D. Prokopp]

Thonging or stitching chisels are handy for punching a row of slits for hand-sewing. Another useful item is a type of needle that's sort of a flattened "S" shape. It has an alarmingly sharp, diamond-shaped tip, and comes in several sizaes from Leather Factory. The odd shape makes it easy to get a grip on and gives you quite a bit of leverage when piercing a hide.