New English saddle seat - using a seam turner

[siggery]

I am fitting my first new seat and skirts to an English saddle and the book says I need to use a "Seam Turner". I have one coming in the mail but I'm wondering if it is going to be obvious how to use this tool or am I going to need some guidance?!

Has anyone used one? Can anybody advise?

Thanks

[oldtimer]

I am fitting my first new seat and skirts to an English saddle and the book says I need to use a "Seam Turner". I have one coming in the mail but I'm wondering if it is going to be obvious how to use this tool or am I going to need some guidance?!

Has anyone used one? Can anybody advise?

Thanks

It is pretty obvious how to use the tool when you see it. You work the seam from the backside of the material to make it "turn".

/ Knut

Edited September 3, 2009 by oldtimer

[barra]

http://www.abbeysaddlery.co.uk/product_detail.cfm?id=FD024

You will notice on the metal end of the tool that it has a smooth channel. Lightly moisten your seam and place the seam that has been formed when you have joined the seat, welt & skirt into this channel of the seam turner. by rubbing back and forward along the seam it makes the seam turn or lie flat and makes the welt pop (makes everything sit right)

Alternatively you can lay the seat on your bench with the seam uppermost and gently tap it with a light hammer to make the seam turn. Make your taps progressively harder until you turn the seam. Don't attack it with excessive force from the on set.

Barra

[siggery]

http://www.abbeysadd...il.cfm?id=FD024

You will notice on the metal end of the tool that it has a smooth channel. Lightly moisten your seam and place the seam that has been formed when you have joined the seat, welt & skirt into this channel of the seam turner. by rubbing back and forward along the seam it makes the seam turn or lie flat and makes the welt pop (makes everything sit right)

Alternatively you can lay the seat on your bench with the seam uppermost and gently tap it with a light hammer to make the seam turn. Make your taps progressively harder until you turn the seam. Don't attack it with excessive force from the on set.

Barra

Ah, this is starting to amke some sense now! Still waiting for the tool to arrive to have a go with it, I have much more of an idea now. Thanks to all, big help.

[Kevin]

Ah, this is starting to amke some sense now! Still waiting for the tool to arrive to have a go with it, I have much more of an idea now. Thanks to all, big help.

When I used to do seats and skirts, sometimes I had to turn the seam with pliers before I could use the seam turner. I don't know if I didn't skive the skirt enough or didn't get it wet enough, but it was pretty tough to get it turned the way I wanted it sometimes. Every once in a while when I was putting the seat back on the tree, I'd feel the seam working back up under the seat and have to take it off and work it some more. Don't get too frustrated if you have trouble just keep at it and you'll get it. New seats were my favorite part of working on saddles.

Kevin