Hand Stitching with Bonded Nylon

[Hydra]

Hello!

Previously I'd only hand-stitched stuff with waxed thread but decided to try bonded nylon. I like how this project turned out aesthetically, but I have two questions.

1) How do I keep the thread tight? I stitched the bracelet but when I bent it (copper core), the bottom thread appeared loose. Do I just need to try to sew with a lot more tension? Thicker thread, smaller stitch holes? (The thread I used is 277.)

2) Any suggestions for keeping the thread knot from unraveling from the needle? Because the thread is so slippery, it doesn't hold a knot very well, and I constantly have to re-tighten the knot. 

[fredk]

Smaller stitching holes, these keep the thread tighter. Pull each stitch real tight

Have you tried the pierced-thread way of putting your needle on?

[chuck123wapati]

you may have to bend it first too, or your stitches will look loose no matter what thread you use. Once bent it's a shorter distance between each hole than when straight.

so does the copper still work under leather? I hate washing my wrists three times a day lol.

[TomE]

Most of my hand sewing is using #207 bonded nylon that I wax.  If fact, I always re-wax waxed thread before use because the wax is usually dry and flaky.  I use a cobbler's wax that is a mix of beeswax and pine resin.  After waxing I burnish the thread with a piece of heavy brown wrapping paper to even out the wax.  

[Hydra]

9 hours ago, fredk said:

Smaller stitching holes, these keep the thread tighter. Pull each stitch real tight

Have you tried the pierced-thread way of putting your needle on?

I will try that next time, thank you! I'd forgotten about piercing the thread, thanks!

 

4 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

you may have to bend it first too, or your stitches will look loose no matter what thread you use. Once bent it's a shorter distance between each hole than when straight.

so does the copper still work under leather? I hate washing my wrists three times a day lol.

I think you may be right! I will try bending it first on the next bracelet. Since the copper is sandwiched between two pieces of leather, the copper never touches your skin. I've never had any issues wearing them. Here is a link to the video where I learned how to make them. 

 

3 hours ago, TomE said:

Most of my hand sewing is using #207 bonded nylon that I wax.  If fact, I always re-wax waxed thread before use because the wax is usually dry and flaky.  I use a cobbler's wax that is a mix of beeswax and pine resin.  After waxing I burnish the thread with a piece of heavy brown wrapping paper to even out the wax.  

Interesting! I'll give this a go, thank you!

[Klover]

Just an update if anyone is interested:

I used the same size stitch holes (I'd already had two other bracelets pierced), and used the same size thread (277).

Knot on the needle was coming loose: I pierced the thread with the needle and knotted it, and I had a much easier time keeping a tight knot on the needle during stitching.

Stitches were loose:  I waxed the bonded nylon thread (tied it to a shelf on one end and held it taught with my left hand and ran a wax stick over the thread length about a half-dozen to a dozen times back and forth, top and bottom), and I pulled each stitch much tighter than before. The stitching, even after bending, feels firm and set.

Thank you for the help!

(Oh, I realized the other night I had accidentally created a second account some years ago! Klover = Hydra.) 😅

Edited 6 hours ago by Klover