yober

Thanks for the in-depth write-up. My process is a little different but the gist is you’re pre-punching holes and handstitching, if I read that correctly. I ended up using a “jerk needle,” switching to harness needles with a saddle stitch using the same length of thread, with excellent results. The issue is always not enough room to either run the harness needle, or stitching with my Artisan. It got done.

Ah, didn’t know it was called that. Learned something new.

What’s a jerk needle? Is that like a stitching awl (Awl for All)?

Agreed. I think I may try the stitching awl in my application “for research purposes.”

How do you propose pushing the needle through the backside without punching the inner side of the fold over? That welt is too think for a curved needle.

I’m not sure what this illustrates.

I think the holster pictured is a very early one and it was a custom-made one-off for a specific competitor, which would probably explain it’s relative state. Still, I’d be very interested in how the stitching and order of operations were done in this example as there are many other like applications. I am contemplating using an Awl for All.

Um, no. If the loop is stitched first, the stitching machine is prevented from stitching the edge seam as the flap now covers the stitchline. If the edge seam is stitched first, the holster is now folded and the loop cannot be sewn through the single thickness. Milt Sparks holsters are some of the most exclusive and desired holsters in the world. An 18 month wait is not uncommon.

That is probably how I’ll do it for an upcoming sheath (similar design). I see so many of these with this folded-over design, I was wondering how anyone accomplished this in volume. Seems like you’d need a curved needle at minimum.

These pics happen to be from online sources; some of the “ears” on versions I’ve held in person are much wider than this, so I don’t think they get pulled back. One doesn’t take apart their $400+ milt sparks holster. :-) The different stitching is because on the upper portion of the edge is a full welt, whereas there’s a movable welt in the lower half so the stitching really only goes through the front (and back on the back half), leaving the movable portion of the welt to move in and out to adjust tension. The only solution I can think of is handstitching. I’m willing to be educated though.…. 8^)

Thanks. Yeah, that is some nice stitch work, but the awl coming from the top on a Randall still can’t clear the foldover and go underneath it. Unless somehow the welted edge is sewn first and then somehow the loop is folded over and sewn from inside the holster.

I’ve come across a couple examples of this technique, and I’m trying to get my mind around what exactly the order of operations was. Usually the loop is sewn first and then the edge containing the welt is sewn afterwards on a standard juki-type stitcher. However, in the included pictures it seems that the highlighted stitch line is soon before the loop is stitched in. How is this possible — handstitching? There’s obviously no room to get that stitch tucked underneath the overhanging loop. Apparently somebody has this licked. Something I missed? Would love to know the answer to this. Thanks.

I’ll look into it, thanks.

Did that. I don’t see 1/2” in these options.