Fredo Report post Posted October 4, 2010 Hi ya'll, I'm wondering if anyone has any tricks or tips for keeping my hand stitching straight? I am trying real hard to take my time, I'm carful about setting my punch in the pregrooved stitch line etc. However when I'm done I still see obvious flaws. I can post a pic or two when I get home form work if that helps. Thanks in advance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbusarow Report post Posted October 4, 2010 I don't know that there are any "tricks". Just practice. Keeping the awl holes in the stitch groove is just the first step. You also need to make sure that the angle of the awl (the angle one of the flats on the awl makes with a line paralell to the stitch groove) remains the same for every hole. And you also need to make sure that each hole is punched perfectly straight (perpendicular) through the layers. I think this last one is the hardest to get right. I'm getting better but I still really need to concentrate on this one. Once you have the hole stabbing down then you can start working on improving the consistency of the stitches themselves. Dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rawhide Report post Posted October 4, 2010 Hi Fredo, I had the same problems myself when I first started. The thing is to be ABSOLUTELY CONSISTENT with how you do each hole. If you punch a hole and start with the left needle first, then you have to start with the left needle for every hole thereafter. My initial advice is to get Al Stohlman's book, The Art of Handsewing Leather.This is the definitive work on hand sewing. But don't do like I did and skim it to get the basics. Actually read it step for step and you'll see vast improvements. Also, I prefer to use linen cord instead of the nylon or poly threads at Tandy. I think it just looks better. The idea though is to place the awl, needles, everything, it the the exact same position from hole to hole. Marlon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete Report post Posted October 4, 2010 One important factor that you need to know- Start your first needle from the back, then pull gently towards you as you push the front needle through on top of (in front of) the first thread. This will keep the stitch looking good as the second needle and thread will pull the hole closed when you tighten. Think of poking a hole through a piece of leather from the back side. Leaves a ragged looking exit in the front doesn't it? pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fredo Report post Posted October 5, 2010 (edited) Thank you gents, I guess one problem I'm having is trying to take the easy way out. I do not use an awl, I'm using a multi tanged punch from tandy. Tonight I will try the stab method and take care to make sure I remain constistant. All your advise and help is greatly appreciated. Fredo Edited October 5, 2010 by Fredo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katsass Report post Posted October 5, 2010 (edited) Thank you gents, I guess one problem I'm having is trying to take the easy way out. I do not use an awl, I'm using a multi tanged punch from tandy. Tonight I will try the stab method and take care to make sure I remain constistant. All your advise and help is greatly appreciated. Fredo My first advice is to get rid of that punch. Then, get a decent stitching groover, a diamond shaped stitching awl....not a common scratch awl, also get an overstitch tool. A #6 is about right for most stitching. Groove, run the overstitch to mark your spacing then do as has been advised by all here, but take....your....time. Finally, when done, dampen the leather slightly and run the overstitch.......you got it....over the stitching. See the pics. Just some suggestions from the grumpy old man. Mike grove: overstitch to mark Edited October 5, 2010 by katsass Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
