So What Do You Do After Cutting Off Your Thread?

[rmr]

So after backtacking a few stitches and cutting the thread off flush with the leather I usually add a drop or two of super glue to the stitch holes to "weld" the thread together so it wont pull out in the future. I wipe off any extra glue almost immediately after its applied. So far this has worked quite well for me- but I had another leatherworker tell me this is a bad idea - didn't explain why just said was a bad idea.

So what do you do???

I have not tried using a "hot" cutting knife to singe the end of the thread but have wondered how effective that technique is. I have seen enough items that nothing was done and over a period of time stitches start pulling apart and the ends of the thread start sticking out from the end of the project.

RMR

[Red Cent]

I also drop a drop of liquid (not gel) glue but only on dark leather. Light leather or suede is a no-no for me. Looks bad no matter what. I use a small hand roller to flatten out the area after wiping off any excess glue spot. Then I clean up anything left with a grill lighter.

[REN]

If you use linen thread, cut and glue. If nylon or polyester, burn and apply force. That's what I know. Sometimes I hide the thread between the leather

[Boriqua]

I cut it about 1/4 inch and then take a lighter to the thread and when its melting nice I press it with my thumb making a nice mushroom cap. Its probably overkill but Its not going anywhere.

[Black Dogg]

Hi rmr,

I second the "bad idea" with the super glue: when it dries, super glue gets really hot for a short time and after it is fully cured is brittle. My concern with the heat is that it could melt the thread (when using nylon or poly) and once it is dry will make the thread (nylon, poly or linen) brittle as well. If you have the ending in an area that will flex when in use, the thread could then break and pull out. Also, it will probably leave a small stain unless you're really fast with the wiping off part.

I usually backstitch three stitches, four on heavy duty items, and cut the thread off as close to the leather as possible. Then I go over it with overstitch wheel. The backstitching itself is enough to lock the thread in place. I have never had even the first one come undone yet. Melting with a lighter sounds like a good idea; I use mostly linen thread but on my machine I have poly and will give that a try.

Black Dogg

[TwinOaks]

With any stitching, I hand sew the lock. With nylon I pull the stitch tight, snip close and melt the thread end then press it into the other thread. With linen, I make sure that final two passes of the lock go through the other threads in the hole, not beside them. Then, just pull snug...pull a little more snug...and cut close. The tension on the stitch pulls the cut end back inside the hole and the wax keeps it in place. Ideally, there's no real pressure being exerted on the lock stitches, as the regular stitches should be taking all of it.

[DavidL]

One way I secure the last 2 back stitch is to loop the needle twice around the loop (casting the thread) to create a knot set in-between the leather. Trim the ends short and tuck into the stitch seam w/ white glue.

I can't get the loose ends secured in between the seams permanently, the results are so-so, it looks it will unravel like a shoelace. Casting the thread twice does permanently secure the threads for items that need strength, but not for the loose ends.