Symmetry in stitch lines

[ThisIsMyFirstRodeo]

Okay, so I know this is a basic technique, but I seem to have regressed back down the learning curve. Or I just had early luck. 

(Working with basic foldover knife sheaths), I cant seem to get the holes for my stitch lines to match up on either side. To be clear, I have successfully made several in the past, which is why I’m even more frustrated. 
 

I’ve made templates from multiple kinds of paper and from EVA foam, and I’ve tried directly on the leather as well (sometimes I get brave). 
 

I’ve used edge-guided groovers, rotary spacers (the little wheel that pricks the leather as it rolls), wing dividers, punching the welt and using it as a template, overlapping the prongs of my punches, and even my drill press, and I’m still failing. 
I’ve tried punching them flat, punching them folded, even punching with the welt glued in place. 
 

It really does feel like my first rodeo again. Please help. 
 

Thanks,
AZR

[chuck123wapati]

1 way punch your holes on the front of the sheath only, or with the welt glued onto the front piece punch both, glue up the sheath with the welt in place, then use an awl to push through the back side and sew it up.

2. if you punch all three pieces separately, use small nails or brads to align the pieces for glue up, usually one in the top hole, a couple along the middle, then the last hole at the bottom of the sheath. 

Remember if you use stitching chisels to be sure and punch from the same side when folded as in the front is punched from the front side or outside of the sheath and the back of the sheath is punched from the inside of the sheath, or the angled slots will be reversed and won't line up they will make an x shaped hole. i also use a round awl for the top and bottom holes to help with a nice alignment and clean finished look, always starting my chisels from the same end of the piece, top or bottom.

Another thing that makes your stitching wonky is crossing your stitches as you sew, always one needle, either the left or right, depending on the slot angles, goes in the front. I sew toward myself, so i place the left needle in the slot farthest from me and the right needle closest to me.

[PastorBob]

12 minutes ago, chuck123wapati said:

1 way punch your holes on the front of the sheath only, or with the welt glued onto the front piece punch both, glue up the sheath with the welt in place, then use an awl to push through the back side and sew it up.

2. if you punch all three pieces separately, use small nails or brads to align the pieces for glue up, usually one in the top hole, a couple along the middle, then the last hole at the bottom of the sheath. 

Remember if you use stitching chisels to be sure and punch from the same side when folded as in the front is punched from the front side or outside of the sheath and the back of the sheath is punched from the inside of the sheath, or the angled slots will be reversed and won't line up they will make an x shaped hole. i also use a round awl for the top and bottom holes to help with a nice alignment and clean finished look, always starting my chisels from the same end of the piece, top or bottom.

Another thing that makes your stitching wonky is crossing your stitches as you sew, always one needle, either the left or right, depending on the slot angles, goes in the front. I sew toward myself, so i place the left needle in the slot farthest from me and the right needle closest to me.

+1

[fredk]

 

+ 1 more

[AlZilla]

Chuck nailed it, as usual.  My biggest issue with hand stitching has been when I don't hold the stitching chisel exactly straight up and down. The side I punch from will be a nice straight line and the other side will wander the opposite of whatever way I leaned the stitching chisel.

Some pictures would probably help.

[ThisIsMyFirstRodeo]

Chuck, thank you for the advice. I’ll definitely be giving those techniques a try. 
 

Al, I’ve noticed the same with the chisels. Makes me wonder though where I’m going wrong with my drill press…

[Northmount]

Moved to Sewing Leather

[chuck123wapati]

57 minutes ago, ThisIsMyFirstRodeo said:

Chuck, thank you for the advice. I’ll definitely be giving those techniques a try. 
 

Al, I’ve noticed the same with the chisels. Makes me wonder though where I’m going wrong with my drill press…

just my opinion, but you won't get as nice-looking stitches with round holes due to the angle of the chisel or awl slots makes for the appearance that folks are used to seeing. Plus, the slots will seal back up and hold the stitch tighter, drilling holes loses some leather in the process, whereas slots don't.

To make sewing easier, as you pass the needle through the slot, wiggle it/them up, down, and sideways rather hard to enlarge the slot, making it a simple process to pull through, it will shrink back down, then lightly set the stitch with a hammer when you are done sewing.

[Dwight]

For straight holes . . . hands and punches will be hard pressed to beat a drill press.

Remove the drill bit . . . put a needle in it's place . . . unplug the machine . . . and punch your holes.

If you really . . . REALLY . . . want them to look good . . . punch them from the top first . . . into a piece of hard wood . . . with the drill press stop set 1/8 of an inch below your bottom edge of the sheath.

Then turn the sheath over and punch from the back side all the way thru.

Makes right real pur-teeee holes for stitching

May God bless,

Dwight

[dikman]

Or, if you've got a spare awl bit put that in the drill press and use that to punch your holes. I made a fitting using an awl bit to attach to my arbor press to do the same thing.

[fredk]

No problem with symmetry when using these;

If you punch one side of the sheath first with them, then glue up and use them again the sewing holes will match in direction. This will go thru about 4mm of leather, and even if they don't they leave a hole deep enuff on both sides for an awl to finish off