needle & thread for handsewing

[Mike]

I handsew wallets and checkbooks. In an old Stohlman book on wallets he mentions 3 cord linen thread and size 4 or 5 harness needles. I have some Osborne size 5. They are small. I noticed on a website that they should be 20 gauge and size 4 would be 19 gauge. This would make the 4's a bit larger.

Has anyone used Barbour's Linen Thread size 3 left twist? If so, what size needle did you use? I would also like to know if you have pictures of the work or a description of it.

BTW, the thread will cost me $42 plus shipping. Can I do better than this?

Thank you,

Mike