My 'new' old stitching horse . So versatile!

[SUP]

I bought this yesterday from Facebook marketplace. Love it! The stitching arms are  detachable from the seat and just long enough to use when sitting on a chair.  So very easy to use, on or off its seat.

There is a wooden lever to control the arms and hold the leather in place.

I am loathe to do anything to it but I need to attach some leather to the insides of the arms to protect the leather being stitched. I plan to do so with some water soluble glue because I do not want it to be permanent.

In case anyone wants to buy one, there are at least 3 other sellers offering similar items on Facebook marketplace as of yesterday. I was lucky that this was being offered close to where I stay else shipping might be a bit of an expense.

[Tugadude]

Glad to see it go to someone who obviously will treasure it.  I've never even sat on one, but it seems to me that it would be cool to have one.  I consider stitching one of the most satisfying, really the most satisfying component of leatherwork.  And I find it easy to lose myself in the process and just enjoy the repetition.  

Thanks for sharing!

[SUP]

Yes that is so true! It is relaxing and satisfying.

[Klara]

How does it work? I can't see a hinge, so how do the jaws open?

[tsunkasapa]

The lever opens the jaws. It is made such that the jaws are in a closed position until levered open. Pull down on the handle and the cam will force the jaws apart.

[SUP]

Thank you, tsunkasapa. Yes. It opens with the wooden lever, Klara. You push the lever down and the jaws open. Push it up parallel to the ground and the jaws close and hold tight.

[Hags]

Neat! Wish I had the room for one.

[SUP]

Yes. It does take a bit of space but it is so convenient to use. I like to use chrome tanned leather and that I cannot stitch holding it in my hand. Anything larger than a tiny coin purse does not fit in the tabletop stitching pony, and that, with difficulty.

You know, earlier, I made one for myself, using a pair of steel tongs to which I attached some flat pieces of wood with leather on the surface. The tongs were not the type to use on food but on utensils - I got them from an Indian store - we use them to get vessels out of pressure cookers these days - called 'pakkad' in Hindi. It can be easily held between the knees when stitching. I stopped using it because again, it was a little small, but if you find larger tongs, that might work and not take up so much space. Mine looks something like this. The jaws need to be forced apart or closed, so no need to hold the jaws together actively.

Before that, I used plain wooden tongs with again, flat pieces of wood with leather attached. Got the tongs in Ikea. Those I held together with my knees. rather like French clams - also helped me decide against French clams once and for all! Tiring to actively hold the jaws together for long periods.

Unfortunately, I dismantled both, so cannot show them being used as stitching ponies.

[Tugadude]

The photo link seems to be broken.  It is best to paste photos or images directly into the post because many "disappear" over time when people change hosting sites, etc.  And when the pictures are lost, many threads don't seem to make much sense anymore.

[SUP]

Thank you for letting me know that, Tugadude.

Pasting the pictures again.

 

Finally, the tongs I used to make a temp stitching pony.

I hope these remain!

Edited April 4, 2023 by SUP