Any Tips When Sewing 12 Stitch Per Inch?

[chouinardragon]

Hi,

I am practicing sewing with #12 pricking wheel. I can't get straight stitch on the back.

Any tips?

Chris

[amuckart]

The pitch you're sewing at shouldn't make any difference to the technique you use, just the size of awl and thread. There's a few threads on the forum about keeping your stitches even front and back. If the forum search isn't working for you try using google and appending site:leatherworker.net to the end of the search which will restrict the search to just this site.

Absolute consistency is the key, and ensuring your awl is perfectly perpendicular to the surface of the leather in both planes for each stitch.

The Art of Hand Sewing Leather by Al Stohlman is the standard reference people refer to, if you don't already have a copy that'd be a good place to start.

[$$hobby]

Hi,

I am practicing sewing with #12 pricking wheel. I can't get straight stitch on the back.

Any tips?

Chris

iirc, there was an article in LC&SJ by the late Verlane (sp?) on the subject.

[jimsaddler]

Hi

Simply put, "all you need is practise" #12 requires that you use a finer Awl Blade and the right slope so as to keep strength in the stitching. The neatness comes with the way that you throw your back stitch under or over the needle. It you throw the loop over the needle it will give you a stitch similar to the Face of your stitching on the back. If you drop the back stitch loop (as most do) you will get a most uninteresting result. Repetition is the key, when you start to sew automatically (and throw the back loop) you will achieve a better result. For BEST stitching #12 looks very neat front and back. A well sharpened Pricking Iron will be a better quide than the wheel though.

Kindest Regards.

Jim Saddler.

Hi,

I am practicing sewing with #12 pricking wheel. I can't get straight stitch on the back.

Any tips?

Chris

[chouinardragon]

Hi Jim,

Thank you. I can't maintain my posture while sewing. I was thinking if I stabbed the awl not vertically to the leather.

Sometimes I can have the stitches on the back straight, but the stitches seem overlapping. see attached picture. Is it because that I stabbed the awl blade kind of downward?

Chris

Hi

Simply put, "all you need is practise" #12 requires that you use a finer Awl Blade and the right slope so as to keep strength in the stitching. The neatness comes with the way that you throw your back stitch under or over the needle. It you throw the loop over the needle it will give you a stitch similar to the Face of your stitching on the back. If you drop the back stitch loop (as most do) you will get a most uninteresting result. Repetition is the key, when you start to sew automatically (and throw the back loop) you will achieve a better result. For BEST stitching #12 looks very neat front and back. A well sharpened Pricking Iron will be a better quide than the wheel though.

Kindest Regards.

Jim Saddler.

thank you guys for all the inputs. i guess all i need is practice.

[jimsaddler]

Hi

I too have terrible Back problems causing me no end of trouble maintaining posture. 2 solutions have come along. The first is a tablet called Clonac 50, One in the morning allows me 7 hours of Back pain relief. The second is a Spring type Chair (Stool height) with Leather back support and Arms. This has allowed me the support for my back when Hand Sewing that allows me to sew for 90 minutes or more in the same position. Chair cost me $10. at a Welfare store, does a far better job than the $700. special Prescription Support Chair I was using for 20 minutes at a time. It's a 1 1/4" Tubular Steel frame like an "S", The back is stretched between the back uprights. The seat is also stretched between the frame. Works jus fine with my Saddlers Clams that I'd given up on some time ago. My work has improved measurably, thanks to my 2 "Aids"

Yes I'm now able to sew #12 again and get it right on the back, looking like the front. So please persevere and practice and practice and practice, then when you've finished practicing, do some more practice!

Fine Hand Sewing is "the Mark of a Craftsman". I actually get a bit annoyed when I see some hand Sewing at Shows #5 and #6 spi getting prizes, when a lovelly fine sewn article is passed over. One Judge had the temerity to say " that #5 was "lovely and chunky". The Noseband sewn at #11spi was passed over with no Prize. My comment was who called you a Judge?

Kindest Regards.

Jim Saddler.

Hi Jim,

Thank you. I can't maintain my posture while sewing. I was thinking if I stabbed the awl not vertically to the leather.

Sometimes I can have the stitches on the back straight, but the stitches seem overlapping. see attached picture. Is it because that I stabbed the awl blade kind of downward?

Chris

thank you guys for all the inputs. i guess all i need is practice.

[chouinardragon]

hey Jim

Okay, i think there is no short cuts or any tricks.

"persevere and practice and practice and practice"

Chris

Hi

I too have terrible Back problems causing me no end of trouble maintaining posture. 2 solutions have come along. The first is a tablet called Clonac 50, One in the morning allows me 7 hours of Back pain relief. The second is a Spring type Chair (Stool height) with Leather back support and Arms. This has allowed me the support for my back when Hand Sewing that allows me to sew for 90 minutes or more in the same position. Chair cost me $10. at a Welfare store, does a far better job than the $700. special Prescription Support Chair I was using for 20 minutes at a time. It's a 1 1/4" Tubular Steel frame like an "S", The back is stretched between the back uprights. The seat is also stretched between the frame. Works jus fine with my Saddlers Clams that I'd given up on some time ago. My work has improved measurably, thanks to my 2 "Aids"

Yes I'm now able to sew #12 again and get it right on the back, looking like the front. So please persevere and practice and practice and practice, then when you've finished practicing, do some more practice!

Fine Hand Sewing is "the Mark of a Craftsman". I actually get a bit annoyed when I see some hand Sewing at Shows #5 and #6 spi getting prizes, when a lovelly fine sewn article is passed over. One Judge had the temerity to say " that #5 was "lovely and chunky". The Noseband sewn at #11spi was passed over with no Prize. My comment was who called you a Judge?

Kindest Regards.

Jim Saddler.