English saddle - removing buttons

[Onsite Tack]

I know Jim and Barra are busy right now, but I want to report I have stitched the new billets onto the saddle. I have not removed the panel fabric, but I have taken out the old stuffing. While waiting, should I go ahead and remove the panel fabric and the lining?

Thanks so much. This is fun.

Kathy

[barra]

Kathy. Have you completely removed the panel from the top part of the saddle IE: unstitched the rear. I'm not sure what you mean by removing the panel fabric "and" lining. What are you calling the fabric and what are you calling the lining?

If you have removed the old stuffing and the panel is completely removed you can "carefully un stitch the old lining (the blue fabric) Unpick the old stitches. I have no idea what the base panel is made from but if it needs a few repair/patches now is the time to do that. Make sure that the stitching holding the front and rear facings onto the base panel are in good order. Using your old lining as a guide, mark out the new lining with chalk (any miniscule residue can later be brushed off).

How do you intend restitching the new lining. By hand or machine?

I had another thought re a suitable lining material if you can not get wool serge. I surfed the net and there are companies who specialise in Civil war re-enacting and make uniforms. The Blue material they make Union uniforms out of is a woolen material called Kersey. Not serge but I think it would do. Kersey is also used to make woollen show horse blankets and saddle cloths.

Barra

[Onsite Tack]

Hi, Barra.

On the panel - I have been confused by the terms, I think. The serge covers the stuffing, which is in-between the base panel and the serge, right? If so, I am still confused by 'lining'. I've been thinking 'lining' is something between the serge and the stuffing. On this saddle, inside the serge material there is a lighter, cheesecloth-like material adhering to the serge material. That is what I have been thinking you are referring to by 'lining'.

Because I started out wrong, I have that serge stitching removed from the front and along the seam line to the back. I have a huge bag of whitish wool flocking I bought awhile back and am planning to stuff with that.

I will be hand sewing everything back together. So, do I stitch it all back together, leaving a space for stuffing?

Am I close?

Thanks. :-)

Kathy

[barra]

Ok. Generally speaking with panels we can break down the parts starting with the material against the tree. Different saddlers will have slightly different methods and names.

1st layer of material will be what I call the base panel and is some sort of chap weight material and can be the same as used for the seat. English saddles traditionally used Basil which is Finished dressed leather made from sheepskin. Sometimes the base panel is lined with canvas.

2nd layer is the stuffing

3rd layer is the serge and this is the lining

If a saddle has ever been counterlined after it has conformed to the shape of the horses back you will have another layer of stuffing on top of the original serge and a new serge lining on top of that. I would not think counterlining would be frequently done on Australian stock saddles much outside of Australia.

Now that you have unpicked the lining (serge) stitching at the front and back facing, there should be further stitching between the front and rear facing (along the sweat flap). The sweat flap is the second large bit of leather under the riders leg and against the horse to protect the main flap from sweat. With all of the old lining removed, the new lining is going to be re sewn to the base panel and both facings, inside out, IE: grain side of both facings facing inside.

I think we will tackle putting in the new lining in the next installment as it can be a bit tricky. You have to cut it oversized to allow room for stuffing. You then have to slowly work in this oversized lining so it is even with no unsightly puckers.

There is a number of ways the new stuffing can be put in. Two of the most common methods are as follows.

Method 1 via a slit on the top of the base panel. This is eventually closed up with big hand sewn stitches eg herringbone

Method 2 via a gap in the lining about mid way along the sweat flap from front to rear facing. (Eventually closed up).

Barra

Edited June 4, 2008 by barra

[Onsite Tack]

Barra, thank you very much. I am away for a week, beginning today (Monday). I will tackle more of the saddle when I return. Your explanation is clear and my understanding grows.

Kathy

[Onsite Tack]

I have found at least one USA source for wool serge. It is a company called Rose Brand and it sells a 24-ounce wool serge in several colors. And, I don't have to buy 1000 yards at a time. Is 24 ounce a weight I can use? Thanks.

Kathy