Old Soldier Sahib Report post Posted April 25, 2010 Can anyone explain how to hand-roll linen thread to make it heavier? There are a few clues in Tim Severin's book "The Brendan Voyage" about the retired harnessmaker John O'Connell rolling single-strand flax thread into 14-strand cord, rolling it on his thigh like a cigar-maker. I can understand it in principle as being somewhat simular to 'laying-up' rope-yarn into cable-laid rope. I've been trying and getting nowhere, likewise with my effort to "break it against the twist with a casual flick of the wrist" but I only succeed in slicing up my hands with the cord.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted April 25, 2010 WAX IT WITH BEESWAX, HOLD ONE END THEN ROLL THE OTHER END DOWN YOUR PANTS LEG. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Soldier Sahib Report post Posted April 26, 2010 WAX IT WITH BEESWAX, HOLD ONE END THEN ROLL THE OTHER END DOWN YOUR PANTS LEG. Cheers - I'll keep at it, then! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Soldier Sahib Report post Posted April 27, 2010 Cheers - I'll keep at it, then! I imagine that this method limits the practical length of the thread to a fathom (one arm-span) or less, and that longer lengths would just 'marl' into a tangle. this shouldn't present a problem, as a fathom is as long a piece that can be used when hand-sewing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TLP Report post Posted April 27, 2010 There is a book "harness Repairing" by Louis M Rohel that has been digitized on Google books for free download. Has 6 or 7 pages on laying up thread http://books.google.com/books?id=VCVDAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq="harness+repairing"&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false Found the link to google books here at Leatherworker, but can not find the thread today. This book also has the same stitching horse plans as the Farm Woodworking book quoted so often in the handsewing forum (same author) hope this helps T Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Report post Posted April 27, 2010 Cool book, thanks. One thing I would add though, is that if you use a steel hook, it may turn your nice white linen thread grey. I wrap it around a piece of hard wood held in a vise. Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
celticleather Report post Posted April 28, 2010 Here's a method from 'Saddlery and Harness-Making', published 1904. It's written in fairly quaint old English, but the method is good! Wax threads.pdf Wax threads.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Soldier Sahib Report post Posted April 28, 2010 Here's a method from 'Saddlery and Harness-Making', published 1904. It's written in fairly quaint old English, but the method is good! There's a coincidence - I just reserved that book in the city library not half an hour ago! Your linen thread won't get stained if you polish the hook first.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Soldier Sahib Report post Posted May 1, 2010 I finally received my copy of the Al Stohlman book and voila! - concise illustrated instructions! ...now to ruin a whole lotta thread as I practice until I've got it down pat..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
