Who Does This?

[Klara]

Jo from JH Leather does it as well, I've learned it from her. I feel that the stitch helps to pull the straps together behind the buckle.

[TomE]

Thanks to everyone for your comments and ideas.  I'm reconsidering whether to routinely add a side stitch to buckle turns. It is more popular than I realized.  I enjoyed reading your viewpoints. 

[chuck123wapati]

it is so the two pieces dont or cant be pulled apart and create extra stress on your first stitch. 

[Doc Reaper]

Ok, I have never used that side stitch. I keep all stitching in-line and if that one or two threads becomes severed, it all unravels. Go thru the first hole, then thru the second, the. Come back up thur the first hole and continue on down. That side stitch is just aesthetics, it really doesn’t do anything other than give it some certain style that probably the men in GQ probably would like to see on their belts. To me it’s just a wasted stitch!

[jcuk]

On 8/29/2022 at 7:12 PM, TomE said:

Does this side stitch on a buckle turn serve a purpose other than exposing the thread to wear and breakage?  What is the stitch called?  I added it to this replacement bridle cheek piece to match existing.  On my own work I stitch straight up against the buckle and skip the side stitch.  Am I missing something?

 

I do this on all the tack i make and most i repair, if a piece of tack does not have it i will do like for like. This maybe of interest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmgxmtkvISs

I  don't stitch back one i go through the first stitch mark then cross the threads and make the stitch don't pull tight then put my fixed loop butted up against the crossed thread stitch use my awl on the second stitch mark, put the needle into the second stitch mark through the loop leave it in and then pull the crossed thread stitch tight then make the full stitch and carry on stitching. And it does pull the turn nice and tight around the buckle being used. This is how i was taught by two Master Saddlers when i did my training. And things change from time to time but i am pretty certain most English style tack will have this method i am for certain the tack made in the UK will.

Hope this helps

JCUK

[sbrownn]

I think the appearance of thread overlapping the edge is unattractive.  I usually just continue my stitch across the belt below the buckle slot and back down the other side.

[TomE]

Thanks, @jcuk.  So the sole purpose of this stitch is to gather the turn tightly around the buckle?  I normally place the fixed loop 2-3 stitches away from the buckle end of the stitch line.  Is it better to place it closer to the buckle as in your description?  Always interested in refinements.  

@sbrownn, I've read that stitching across a strap may cause it to tear along the perforations.  Perhaps more of an issue with horse tack than for a belt.  The bridle cheek piece in the picture is a replacement for one that was torn by a naughty horse.  Are you jumping from one edge to the other or continuously sewing across the width of the strap?  

Edited September 5, 2022 by TomE

[jcuk]

18 minutes ago, TomE said:

Thanks, @jcuk.  So the sole purpose of this stitch is to gather the turn tightly around the buckle?  I normally place the fixed loop 2-3 stitches away from the buckle end of the stitch line.  Is it better to place it closer to the buckle as in your description?  Always interested in refinements.  

@sbrownn, I've read that stitching across a strap may cause it to tear along the perforations.  Perhaps more of an issue with horse tack than for a belt.  Are you jumping from one edge to the other or continuously sewing across the width of the strap?  

Thats how i was taught and when i see them done the way you describe it always looks odd to me, its much more tidy the on the first stitch and tighter less play. Yes  to stitch across the strap will weaken the strap i use to ride race horses for a living and i can tell this i would not ride a horse where the reins have been stitched across the strap and yes i seen this and said the same just because you get away with it does not make it right. 

Try it and see what you think.

Hope this helps

JCUK 

Edited September 5, 2022 by jcuk

[sbrownn]

2 hours ago, TomE said:

Thanks, @jcuk.  So the sole purpose of this stitch is to gather the turn tightly around the buckle?  I normally place the fixed loop 2-3 stitches away from the buckle end of the stitch line.  Is it better to place it closer to the buckle as in your description?  Always interested in refinements.  

@sbrownn, I've read that stitching across a strap may cause it to tear along the perforations.  Perhaps more of an issue with horse tack than for a belt.  The bridle cheek piece in the picture is a replacement for one that was torn by a naughty horse.  Are you jumping from one edge to the other or continuously sewing across the width of the strap?  

Continuously but only for belts not for any horse stuff. 

[nrk]

On 8/29/2022 at 10:12 PM, TomE said:

Does this side stitch on a buckle turn serve a purpose other than exposing the thread to wear and breakage?  What is the stitch called?  I added it to this replacement bridle cheek piece to match existing.  On my own work I stitch straight up against the buckle and skip the side stitch.  Am I missing something?

 

some crafters do like this.

I haven't seen this stitching being broken till the time, so you can give it a try