stitching leather

[BrownBear]

...with Irish linen thread....

Speaking of Irish Linen-

Not zackly as "authentic" as rough linen thread for frontier leather, but anyone that wants a little more refined looking stitching ought to have a go at this stuff. It's available in 2-, 3-, 4-, 7- and 12-ply (I prefer 4-ply) and about a bazillion colors as well as natural.

If your aim is finished leather goods for gentlemen rather than rough hewn for woodsmen and mountaineers, this stuff is it- especially for thinner leathers like 2-3 oz. I haven't tried doing 12-point stitching with it yet, but it's ideal for 7-point and 10-point. Incredibly strong, and those spools hold a whole lot for around $16.00. Takes me a couple of months to go through a spool, and I sew a lot.

 

[crockett]

And, Irish Linen Table Cloths with lots of lace are considered delicate however linen itself is a very strong thread. I believe the linen thread is stronger than cotton.

 

[BrownBear]

I believe the linen thread is stronger than cotton.

Waaaaay stronger, diameter for diameter. I'll put it up there with a lot of synthetics, with the added advantage of zero stretch. That means no puckering in leather seams.

 

[crockett]

The devil is in the details. I've always assumed an off white "Natural" color was probably the most common color of linen thread but then again I suppose assuming is dangerous business.

 

[BrownBear]

For muzzleloading stuff I use either the natural, tan or dark brown- depending. But I do lots of other stuff in leather too, and it's kinda fun to have different colors to play with.

I make fly fishing shoulder bags from oiled leather (like a cross between a creel and a muzzleloading shot bag), mostly in brown, and for those I use either tan or dark brown, depending on the leather dye. Mostly matching it up.

Just did an iPad case in bright red (sheesh, but it's for my wife and she wanted red) and the red thread was perfect. Did a shooting bag for my granddaughter, and she wanted purple with turquoise trim (who am I to ask!), and used purple thread throughout.

That handful of leatherworking tools a guy accumulates is good for lots of other projects in between the muzzleloading gear a guy can dream up. All good practice, and no worries about shopping in crowds at Christmas! :grin:

 

[MSW]

it's true ... of all the 'hobbies' I've accumulated over the years, the leatherworking tools still fit in a small fishing tackle box, and I can't think of another gadget without which my life would come crashing to an end.

 

[Robert Egler]

That's a wide open one,,
When you go on a date, what do you prefer? Blonde Brunette or Redhead?

Well, THAT one is easy! Redhead. :grin:

As far as stitching goes, I use two needle stitch with 70 pound test braided white polyester line. Looks very similar to waxed cotton from 5 feet away and just doesn't rot.