Best Thread For Saddle Stitching?

[BanjoMan]

I am fairly new to leatherwork and am mainly focusing on making holsters, wallets, etc. I pretty much have the saddle stitching method down and am happy with the results, but I am wondering if I am using the most durable type of thread for my applications. I am currently using artificial sinew that I purchased from Tandy. Does anyone have any suggestions or input? I like the way the sinew stitches, but I am concerned about how well it will hold up over time.

[Cobra Steve]

I am fairly new to leatherwork and am mainly focusing on making holsters, wallets, etc. I pretty much have the saddle stitching method down and am happy with the results, but I am wondering if I am using the most durable type of thread for my applications. I am currently using artificial sinew that I purchased from Tandy. Does anyone have any suggestions or input? I like the way the sinew stitches, but I am concerned about how well it will hold up over time.

Hi BanjoMan, are you hand stitching, or using a sewing machine? All of my customers use a sewing machine and bonded nylon thread. It is durable, and makes a nice stitch. Thanks, Steve

Edited December 23, 2010 by Cobra Steve

[BanjoMan]

Cobra Steve, I am currently hand stitching and probably will be for a while. At this point, my leatherworking is just a hobby and I don't think I will be able to afford a sewing machine any time soon. I don't mind the handstitching even though it is more time consuming because it makes me appreciate the stitching process just as much as anything else and I enjoy learning how it was done years ago. I would just like to know what type of thread I should be using for items such as holsters, wallets, badge holsters, etc. Things like this will probably be worn on a daily basis and exposed to all kinds of things and I would not want an item to be retired early due to an inferior thread when the leather itself has years of use left. I know they offer several different options in thread for hand stitching, I just need some advice. Thanks!

[Ferg]

Cobra Steve, I am currently hand stitching and probably will be for a while. At this point, my leatherworking is just a hobby and I don't think I will be able to afford a sewing machine any time soon. I don't mind the handstitching even though it is more time consuming because it makes me appreciate the stitching process just as much as anything else and I enjoy learning how it was done years ago. I would just like to know what type of thread I should be using for items such as holsters, wallets, badge holsters, etc. Things like this will probably be worn on a daily basis and exposed to all kinds of things and I would not want an item to be retired early due to an inferior thread when the leather itself has years of use left. I know they offer several different options in thread for hand stitching, I just need some advice. Thanks!

Linen seems to be a favorite among hand stitchers.

ferg

[BanjoMan]

Thanks Ferg! I'll try it out.

Edited December 23, 2010 by BanjoMan

[alb]

My mentor in saddle making used artificial sinew to hand stitch everything. I have had saddles come back into the shop that he built 20 years ago and the stitching looks great. He taught me to coat with beeswax, do a tight twist, then rub with deerskin to create a twisted thread from the sinew before stitching. I have been meaning to find out what the sinew is made from. It certainly is a much more comfortable material to hand stitch with than a waxed nylon or poly. I tend to use linen on things I handstitch, though sometimes go back to the artificial sinew. I would be interested to know the long term durability of the various threads.

Ann

I am fairly new to leatherwork and am mainly focusing on making holsters, wallets, etc. I pretty much have the saddle stitching method down and am happy with the results, but I am wondering if I am using the most durable type of thread for my applications. I am currently using artificial sinew that I purchased from Tandy. Does anyone have any suggestions or input? I like the way the sinew stitches, but I am concerned about how well it will hold up over time.

[BanjoMan]

Thanks for the advice, Ann. That makes me feel better about using artificial sinew. I really like the way it feels and have been very satisfied with my results so far, but I am new to this and none of my projects have been put to the test of time. I just want to be sure that the thread that I'm using is going to hold up. I may still expiriment with different materials such as nylon and linen, but I think I will continue to use sinew as well. Thanks again for the info!

My mentor in saddle making used artificial sinew to hand stitch everything. I have had saddles come back into the shop that he built 20 years ago and the stitching looks great. He taught me to coat with beeswax, do a tight twist, then rub with deerskin to create a twisted thread from the sinew before stitching. I have been meaning to find out what the sinew is made from. It certainly is a much more comfortable material to hand stitch with than a waxed nylon or poly. I tend to use linen on things I handstitch, though sometimes go back to the artificial sinew. I would be interested to know the long term durability of the various threads.

Ann

[seveneves]

I tried some waxed linen from springfield leather and I had it break on me a couple times. Fortunately I also bought some plain waxed thread http://springfieldleather.com/store/product/4851/Thread%2CWax%2CPureWht%2CHeavy%2C50y/. It looks nice and I've never had it break on my no matter how tight I pull. I think most saddle makers use waxed linen thread around the horn and cantle.

[Rayban]

I used to use the artificial sinew all the time until I tried the waxed thread that Tandy sells. I started using that exclusively, except for when I wanted the rustic look, then used the sinew again.

[reddevil76]

I used to use the artificial sinew all the time until I tried the waxed thread that Tandy sells. I started using that exclusively, except for when I wanted the rustic look, then used the sinew again.

Hi Rayban, do you mind sharing which thread is it? I also have Tandy's, but it is the Tejas waxed thread. It is loaded with so much wax that my stitching holes are a mess of wax after that. I've stopped using it after just one project.