Mdolfan

I’ll have to try burnishing the thread a bit more. I got a bit of shearling coming through the first few stitches. Maybe it was just the first couple stitches that are an issue because I’ve not had so much of a problem with the other stitches. I actually tried using a big dollar store bag clip, the kind you use on snack bags, to hold one side (excess off the leather side) of the shearling down. I think, too, using a metal dog comb and pushing it into the other side of the fleece will help keep a clearer path for the needles. But I have to try that as I didn’t have the dog comb when I was at Tandy Leather learning how to saddle stitch. There might be other hair products designed for keeping hair in a bun that might work too. I’m going to go look tomorrow and see if I find anything. And man, I wish I had a stitching horse! Just don’t feel like building one for one saddle. Wonder if I could try 2x4 pieces and C-clamps and just lay the 2x4 pieces on my legs. It would give some support to the piece. I admire you guys who do this for a living!

So now I know I’ll be too old to ride by the time I’m done hand stitching the skirts. On the other hand, I like saddle stitch. Fleece? Not so much! Any tips for keeping the fleece out of your way when you stitch? I conditioned the thread with paper as I read on here to do.

Figured it out, cut the fleece after reading about which direction to go and placement, glued it, and am now punching the holes into the fleece. Now I need to learn how to do saddle stitch. Starting to feel pretty fantastic about this!

Bruce, I’ve not decided how to stitch the skirts yet. Is there a benefit to using two needles rather than using only one? The one skirt is ready, hopefully I’ll be able to make progress on the other tomorrow. It’s been a little slow going. Love the information about the stitching! Now I have to figure out which is the head end of the sheepskin and which is the butt end. apologies for taking so long to reply.

Thanks! I’ve never used ChatGPT before. Will have to look into it.

Is there a reason why someone would have knotted off each individual stitch? The first part where I was removing the plugs was easy to get the stitches out. I’m now having to cut each individual stitch because it’s knotted.

Thank you, Bruce. That’s really helpful information. I appreciate your response.

Would someone kindly explain the purpose of the leather pieces sewn under the fleece onto the leather of the skirting. I’m taking a saddle apart for the first time to refleece it and am curious about what purpose these serve. The only thing I can think of is they provide extra support for the skirt leather where it can rub the most (through the fleece) on the horse’s body. Thanks!

I’m not an experienced leather worker by any stretch of the imagination. Unfortunately, I tend to jump into a craft in the upper intermediary to expert level when I start learning something. The first thing I made with leather was a holster. Decided to do it Sheridan style. Took it to a saddle maker out in Utah when I was there because I couldn’t get the snap to set right. He was pretty amazed it was my first project. Gave me a few tips on my carving to improve it and set my snap for me. That got me buying a lot of leather tools and piqued my interest in leatherwork. Right now, I’m in the midst of taking an old Simco saddle apart (no clue on the age of the saddle) to refleece it. Hoping I didn’t bite off more than I can chew as I’ve never taken a saddle apart like this. Got most of it disassembled and am a little stuck on a few things. Right now I’m having some difficulty getting the skirt with the fleece off the saddle. Can’t tell how the middle of the skirt is fastened on. I don’t want to mess this up, and am seriously looking for some guidance. I’ve researched a ton and keep ending up here with answers. Just got my shearling in the mail today and am super thrilled because it’s gorgeous and so soft! But I’m also a little terrified too. Hoping you guys take pity on me and help me answer the questions I might have! I have Ed Stohlman’s book, which is awesome, but it doesn’t address replacing fleece. Thank you for letting me introduce myself! pics of the saddle are in a video below