Thread/cord For Sewing Skirt To Front Rigging

[sandbagger]

I am working on finishing up a cutting horse saddle that is a full rebuild. My customer wants the saddle rebuilit exactly as it was, since it fit him and his horse perfectly. (I mention this because I know there are some other methods of attaching the front skirts to tree but have to stick with how it was originally done.)

My question is about the type and size of thread/cord I should use to attach the skirts to the front rigging. It has a double drop dee rigging.The front dee rigging extends over the front of the tree bar and then is sewn to the skirt, after the skirts are lined and installed. The original thread/cord is quite heavy and looks alot like linen (fine fibers and not twisted like nylon) but the ends are melted, so I'm assuming it's a type of synthetic.

Any suggestions on thread/cord I should use for this application?

Thanks in advance!

Sandbagger

[TroyWest]

That is simply called waxed nylon thread. Most every supplier carries it. Extremely strong but will not hold a knot well unless you melt it.

[sandbagger]

Thanks Troy for the response!

I actually have a couple spools of heavy (size 554) waxed nylon thread here in my shop but was in hopes there was something better.

I probably need to post a picture of the old skirt/rigging to see if anyone can identify what was used. I haven't found it any of my suppliers catalogs or been able to find it on the net (most likely because I don't know what it called). The thread has a real soft lay to it, large in diameter (even compared to handstitching thread) and is made up very fine fibers that are loosely twisted.

Thanks again for your help and insight.

[JHayek]

Thanks Troy for the response!

I actually have a couple spools of heavy (size 554) waxed nylon thread here in my shop but was in hopes there was something better.

I probably need to post a picture of the old skirt/rigging to see if anyone can identify what was used. I haven't found it any of my suppliers catalogs or been able to find it on the net (most likely because I don't know what it called). The thread has a real soft lay to it, large in diameter (even compared to handstitching thread) and is made up very fine fibers that are loosely twisted.

Thanks again for your help and insight.

It is also called nylon lacing tape; item #3879 in the Hadlock and Fox catalog. Hope this helps

[horsewreck]

The heavy waxed nylon monocord hand sewing thread, as Troy suggested is what everyone uses to resew those bar pockets on with, just remember to burn the tips as the ends can work back out if you don't...... Jeff

[jmace]

I took a Calvin Allen made saddle apart yesterday that was rigged like that. It was sewn through at both the front and back of the bars. I don't know the specific advantages/disadvantages of doing it that way, but I know a couple of cutting horse guys that really like their saddles rigged in such a way.

[sandbagger]

Thanks everyone for your comments and help.

I ended up using heavy 554 waxed poly thread. I doubled up the thread on each needle so that each stitch would have two strands top and bottom, and then saddle stitched the pocket using large 1/2" stitches. Worked out really well, looked nice and pulled the skirts up super tight to the tree. Rear pockets were machine sewn on with 346 nylon.