How Do I Keep Stitching Clean?

[MikeCahill]

I look at the superb hand stitching on this site, and then at my own sorry examples, how do you keep stitching clean? I wash my hands, use beeswax to seal and lubricate the thread but after two or three inches the thread is starting to get grubby, after 5 inches it looks like I've been kicking it around the shop any suggestions ?

[lbraider]

I dont do a lot of stitching but I like to use an antique stain on tooling leather.

It looks great and hides a multitude of sins.

I'll be watching here cause I want to know too.

[Romey]

A very very clean work area and making sure my hands arent dirty. Keeping nice white stitching is a struggle

[katsass]

I look at the superb hand stitching on this site, and then at my own sorry examples, how do you keep stitching clean? I wash my hands, use beeswax to seal and lubricate the thread but after two or three inches the thread is starting to get grubby, after 5 inches it looks like I've been kicking it around the shop any suggestions ?

Well, all I can think of is that possibly your leather wasn't totally dry after dying. In some areas of the Country it can take up to 24 hours to completely dry. I always dye my leather prior to assembly, allow it to dry overnight, then assemble, glue as necessary and then stitch. I then burnish my edges, oil lightly, dry. and then apply the finish. Maybe a picture would help us give you a hand. Mike

[steveh]

To much wax can cause the stitch to look dirty. Try burnishing the thread with a canvas cloth to heat the wax deep into the thread fibers, this will remove excessive wax on the thread. See if that helps.

Steve

[lbraider]

Very good ideas. Thank you all.

I just bought the stiching book and I'm going to start stitching with my braids.

[terrymac]

Mike,

Something I have learned the hard way is not cut your stitching groove until after you have dyed or antiqied. The thread completely fills the groove so you don't see the natural underneath. I then finish with Neat Lac after all is done.

Terry

[Rawhide]

Here's what I found...The thread that most people use (usually from Tandy), is the culprit. For one thing the thread has WAY too much wax on it (which you can remove with brown paper bag). What you are seeing with the clean stitching are usually Linen cord. When pulling, the thread stretches, and it tends to look dirty. When you pull the linen, it doesn't stretch, so therefore it doesn't look dirty.

Marlon

[terrymac]

Here's what I found...The thread that most people use (usually from Tandy), is the culprit. For one thing the thread has WAY too much wax on it (which you can remove with brown paper bag). What you are seeing with the clean stitching are usually Linen cord. When pulling, the thread stretches, and it tends to look dirty. When you pull the linen, it doesn't stretch, so therefore it doesn't look dirty.

Marlon

Marlon,

How does linen stack against nylon in terms of strength. I am one of those using Tandy nylon, primarily because once I get it stitched, it isn't going anywhere. I understand what you are saying about the stretching and it makes sense. Is the linen comparable in diameters, or do you need diferent awls and needles? Thanks for the help.

Terry

[js5972]

It is not always practical, but I use Deglazer to clean up the stitching when I can.