Threads per inch for Bridle Leather?

[Tiffany]

Is there a point of diminishing returns with regard to threads/inch between

additional strength and the leather becoming perforated like a postage stamp?

I've been using 12 stitches/inch for 14 oz Sedgewick bridle lined with 2 oz

suede and it seems to hold together nicely.

[esantoro]

Hi Tiffany,

I'm always looking for a good source for 2 oz suede. Where are you getting yours?

Thanks,

Ed

[esantoro]

For that thickness I would do something like 7 or 8 SPI.

Edited February 25, 2008 by esantoro

[Kevin]

Hi, I would say it all depends on what you are making, awl size, thread and needle size. Real English tanned bridle leather can take a pretty small stitch. 9 spi is/was the norm on English tack with 10-12 spi for very fancy work. As long as you don't stitch across anything, go as small as you want. When the stitch size gets too small for the thread, the stitches will look bad and you'll know it. Hope that helps a little, Kevin

[jimsaddler]

Dear Tiffany as long as the Leather is reasonably firm Veg Bridle, 12 stitches per inch has always been used for the Best Strapping! As long as it's well done with a nice fine Awl and say a pair of 4 or 5 needles you wont get a better looking article. As far as strength goes I've never had best work (12 spi) returned for repair. Coarse stitching is not as firm so does on some occasions come loose or get over tensioned and cut the Hide surface, thus needing repair. Please keep at the 12 spi as is the ultimate of hand sewi. An old friend of mine had a 14spi Pricking Iron and used to say it was the ultimate in sewing. But when pressed to produce a quality show Bridle sewn 14 it was not attractive owing to all the Dead Sailors (over tensioned stitches) showing up like a sore thumb. The Leather could not take the strain so it gave way. I might add that the Hide used was best English.

I hope this is of help to you. By the way we used to be able to buy special very fine Awl blades for 12 spi. I've haven't seen them for some 40 years now though so I use Hardened Bicyle Spokes and grind them to a nice flat Diamond.

By the way excuse me referring to Stitches per inch instead of Threads per inch, I was brought up in the Trade this way.

Kindest Regards. Jim.

[TroyWest]

jimsaddler, I've made my sewing awls for years, but never thought of that. Will any bicycle spoke work?

[Tiffany]

Bicycle spokes for awls? That's pretty inventive. I'll have to give that a try.

How do you get the diamond shape...by eye on a sharpening stone?

Now I know what to call those over tensioned threads of mine.

"Dead Sailors". LOL

[Tiffany]

Hi Tiffany,

I'm always looking for a good source for 2 oz suede. Where are you getting yours?

Thanks,

Ed

Hi Ed,

I'm ordering from Siegals right now until I can find something better.

That Tandy stuff just didn't cut it at all.

BTW, what are you using for thread in your Walden bags? Waxed Irish Linen

or synthetic? My husband had some Kevlar thread floating around that I used

to sew up the high stress points on one of my document cases. I used a thin strip

of sole bend with elephant on the outside and didn't notice the thread cutting

through the leather. I'd be a little wary of using it for thinner leather. I saw one

of your posts where you considered using it as well. Yours looks like about 4-5

oz leather...did you have a problem with the Kevlar slicing through?

[esantoro]

Hi Ed,

I'm ordering from Siegals right now until I can find something better.

That Tandy stuff just didn't cut it at all.

BTW, what are you using for thread in your Walden bags? Waxed Irish Linen

or synthetic? My husband had some Kevlar thread floating around that I used

to sew up the high stress points on one of my document cases. I used a thin strip

of sole bend with elephant on the outside and didn't notice the thread cutting

through the leather. I'd be a little wary of using it for thinner leather. I saw one

of your posts where you considered using it as well. Yours looks like about 4-5

oz leather...did you have a problem with the Kevlar slicing through?

Hi Tiffany,

I use 5/6 and 6/7 on most bags. Currently I'm using Coats and Eddington and am growing more fond of the latter. I was curious as to whether Kevlar thread would cut through the leather. I had toyed with the idea of using Kevlar at one time but felt it would have been more a novelty than anything else, unless I was making another bag for a soldier heading off for the Middle East.

How heavy are your bags running with thick bridle leather?

Ed

[ETW Grumpy]

Since you are both making bags, I will ask this question here. I want to make a messenger or attache type bag for my wife. I see from this thread that you guys are using bridle leather for the bags. Is this the same thing as latigo? If not, do I need to buy bridle leather or harness leather, or is there a difference? Any light you can shed would be very helpful.

[jimsaddler]

jimsaddler, I've made my sewing awls for years, but never thought of that. Will any bicycle spoke work?

Troy I just used a spoke from a old racing wheel, and ground it roughly on the linisher, then on the oil stone, then on the Knife board. But keep them short or they bend a bit. Actually Motor Bike Spokes are also quite good for scratch Awls (Seat Awls) I put them in an electris Drill and spin grind them on a Linisher.

Have a good one. jim.

[TroyWest]

Thanks for the reply Jim.

Troy

[DEADEYE]

Hi Ed,

I'm ordering from Siegals right now until I can find something better.

That Tandy stuff just didn't cut it at all.

BTW, what are you using for thread in your Walden bags? Waxed Irish Linen

or synthetic? My husband had some Kevlar thread floating around that I used

to sew up the high stress points on one of my document cases. I used a thin strip

of sole bend with elephant on the outside and didn't notice the thread cutting

through the leather. I'd be a little wary of using it for thinner leather. I saw one

of your posts where you considered using it as well. Yours looks like about 4-5

oz leather...did you have a problem with the Kevlar slicing through?

Tiff, do you have a link to Siegals please?

[RandyScott]

Siegel's of California www.siegelofca.com

[DEADEYE]

Thank you Mr. Scott.