Best Way To Secure A Single Stitch?

[Andrew Chee]

Hello all. I have been making the below straps for some customers. I don't stitch all the way across but rather do a single hand stitch using a waxed linen thread. I was worried that the single stitch would come undone over time and I have been told that they can indeed become undone with use. I don't want to stitch all the way across the strap because it's not the aesthetic that I'm going for. Are there any suggestions as to how I can secure this single stitch so it won't come undone? Thanks.

Andrew

[Macca]

Glue it, dip the end of a round awl in the glue, you can go back in the stitch hole without making a mess

[Ferg]

Andrew,

I love your belts and I definitely like that single stitch. I think the above suggestion with an awl is a good one.

One caveat to this style of stitch. When you have a stitch "over the edge" it is susceptible to extreme wear. I think your single stitch coming loose is the least of your worry.

ferg

[Andrew Chee]

These are watch straps so hopefully extreme wear won't be an issue.

So as for glue, do I finish my stitching, dip the awl in contact cement, run the awl through the hole again, and then cut the thread?

Andrew

[Macca]

no, cut the thread flush then dab some glue on with the awl

have a look at the hermes vid below, about 1:38 in, they finish with a dab of glue

[billymac814]

I do a lot of repairs on this style of belts where they come un done. All 4 stitches are done with one strand of thread. Make your first stitch then go between the straps and do the next, then on a diagonal to the next and then across to the last one. If you leave the ends long you can tie them off in between the straps and glue the knot.