Members katsass Posted October 15, 2011 Members Report Posted October 15, 2011 (edited) OK,from the old grumpy guy; I've read many of the replies here and have a few comments. First off, I learned to stitch leather from an old WWI Cavalry soldier (that gives you an idea of how old I am) and it sounds like many of you feel that stitching leather should be almost as simple a Granny sewing an apron .... it ain't. Many want their stitching to go as quickly as hand sewing cloth ... it won't, but will speed up some with practice. Good stitching requires attention to detail, concentration, and patience. It also requires a good, sharp awl. (notice that I totally ignore the use of any sort of punch) The only alternate way of making holes for stitching, that actually works well, is the use of a Dremel type tool to drill your holes. Now, many folks will use a Dremel type tool to drill their holes for stitching. To the purist, this is heresy, BUT it can be done with good results ..... if done properly. The biggest mistake is to use too large a drill bit. Most will start with a 1/16" bit, find that they cannot pull the thread through by hand, and go bigger. If you are going to use a drill, best results will be had by using a 3/64" bit to make an initial little bitty hole hole. Follow that with an awl to make each stitch. It will allow you to insert your needles, after opening the hole with your awl, and pull them through with a small pair of pliers. NOTE; If you can pull the needles through by hand, your hole is waaay too big. After the first needle is pulled through and the thread is pulled tight, you insert the second needle from the opposite side .... either on top of, or below the first thread. It is necessary for you to do each stitch exactly the same way each time, to have good even stitching. As to why I indicate that the second needle must always go over or under the preceding thread, just make three stitches, making sure that they all either go one way or the other. Now, make the next stitch the opposite, followed by a couple done as the original ones. That one stitch will stand out because it is different, and a final go over with the overstitch will not rectify that. Now, you should be using a stitching pony, it will allow you to build speed and uniformity in time. Poke your awl, stick the needle in, pull through and back towards yourself, inset the second needle ..... on top of or below the first thread, pull through and pull tight. Go on to the next hole. I suggest this method if drilling holes because, in time, you will be able to graduate to just sticking the awl into and through the dimple made by the overstitch which marks the stitch placement, and not need to use the Dremel and dinky drill bit. Some have mentioned something about crossed needles ........ frankly, you'll never get good stitching that way. Now, these are the ramblings of a grumpy old man, that has hand stitched everything he's made for over 50 years. Take from my comments what you will, you didn't pay a dime for them.To me, good stitching will enhance your project and show off your abilities ... poor stitching will also reflect on your abilities. Good stitching takes time, practice and effort ..... just as anything worth doing does. An example of my stitching done with an awl and pliers. Mike Edited October 15, 2011 by katsass Quote NOTE TO SELF: Never try to hold a cat and an operating Dust buster at the same time!! At my age I find that I can live without sex..........but not without my glasses. Being old has an advantage.......nobody expects me to do anything in a hurry.
Members hosscomp Posted November 27, 2011 Author Members Report Posted November 27, 2011 OK,from the old grumpy guy; I've read many of the replies here and have a few comments. . . . Wow! Nice work katsass. And thanks for your frank advice. I am getting much better now. Next I am going to make myself a stitching pony. Ron Quote
Members hosscomp Posted November 27, 2011 Author Members Report Posted November 27, 2011 ]I got about half of the 8" seem sewed. I finally took some pictures of the final product, a shuffleboard weight case that holds four red and four blue weights. This one shows how I covered the bad stitching on the bottom. Quote
Members hosscomp Posted November 27, 2011 Author Members Report Posted November 27, 2011 I finally took some pictures of the final product, a shuffleboard weight case that holds four red and four blue weights. This one shows how I covered the bad stitching on the bottom. Sorry. I am trying to find Help on posting images. I'm getting them way too large and running out of "global upload quota". Now it seems I am unable to delete or edit my own post. Ron Quote
Members Toolingaround Posted November 27, 2011 Members Report Posted November 27, 2011 Hi Hosscomp Wow I love the case! The braided handle is a nice touch too. I am glad you did not give up when the stitching got tough. I am only doing non sewn projects right now until I can afford a decent awl and some punches. Sorry I can't help with the photo problem. I have not had the courage to post any pics yet myself. Great job, love it! Cheers, Tooling around Quote
Members hosscomp Posted November 27, 2011 Author Members Report Posted November 27, 2011 (edited) This is a correction to a previous post. I finally took some pictures of the final product, a shuffleboard weight case that holds four red and four blue weights. This one shows how I covered the bad stitching on the bottom. Ron Edited November 28, 2011 by hosscomp Quote
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