mlapaglia Report post Posted October 17, 2011 I just got some linen cord 4 ply Black and White 0.62 thickness. I grabbed a piece of scrap and made a long pocket, like a giant comb holder. Since I wanted to try the cords and I didn't feel like making 2 different stitch lines I put half black and half white in a saddle stitch. Starting with white on one side and black on the other. Its an interesting effect. Maybe not for a holster but I can see it on a sheath. The photos are of the front, which is gouged. The back with is not. Also a closeup of the corner and a closeup of the gouged area in the middle. The stitching could be better. It was a fast test, not intended for use. The surprising thing is I broke the white thread 3 times. twice at the second to the last hole and once as I made the back stitch at the needle. The breaks at the hole happened right at the surface of the leather. It was only about a 12 inch stitch total with a decent awl and a #0 harness needle. I got some brown from the same people, same type of cord, and it broke at the surface once on me too. Either Im pulling too hard which I do not believe I am, or the thread is wearing out as its pulled from hole to hole. The breaks are always near the needle or at the needle so its the area that gets the most use. It could be thread rot but I don't think so. Anyway I like the black and white effect in the saddle stitch. Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billsotx Report post Posted October 17, 2011 I just got some linen cord 4 ply Black and White 0.62 thickness. I grabbed a piece of scrap and made a long pocket, like a giant comb holder. Since I wanted to try the cords and I didn't feel like making 2 different stitch lines I put half black and half white in a saddle stitch. Starting with white on one side and black on the other. Its an interesting effect. Maybe not for a holster but I can see it on a sheath. The photos are of the front, which is gouged. The back with is not. Also a closeup of the corner and a closeup of the gouged area in the middle. The stitching could be better. It was a fast test, not intended for use. The surprising thing is I broke the white thread 3 times. twice at the second to the last hole and once as I made the back stitch at the needle. The breaks at the hole happened right at the surface of the leather. It was only about a 12 inch stitch total with a decent awl and a #0 harness needle. I got some brown from the same people, same type of cord, and it broke at the surface once on me too. Either Im pulling too hard which I do not believe I am, or the thread is wearing out as its pulled from hole to hole. The breaks are always near the needle or at the needle so its the area that gets the most use. It could be thread rot but I don't think so. Anyway I like the black and white effect in the saddle stitch. Michael Did you try different needles? ...did it always break on the same needle? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mlapaglia Report post Posted October 17, 2011 Did you try different needles? ...did it always break on the same needle? Since it happened during the same stitching session it was the same needle. It only broke on the needle that once. But I am thinking the same way you are. I am going to set that one aside and see if a replacement helps. Thanks for confirming what I was thinking. I should have waited to mention the cord, since what I really wanted was comments on the color combination of the stitching I did send a letter to the vender to see what they say. Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted October 18, 2011 Interesting idea as far as the colors go. One thing with the thread I dont think it should break at all. I know my borbours 6cord I cant hardly break it unless it has been cut down to one or two threads. If I was getting the linen thread I would definetly get borbours if you can. Other then that maybe check also that you are waxing the thread before you start stitching. It will keep it from getting frayed and such. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mlapaglia Report post Posted October 18, 2011 (edited) Interesting idea as far as the colors go. One thing with the thread I dont think it should break at all. I know my borbours 6cord I cant hardly break it unless it has been cut down to one or two threads. If I was getting the linen thread I would definetly get borbours if you can. Other then that maybe check also that you are waxing the thread before you start stitching. It will keep it from getting frayed and such. It's not barbours that much I know. I got an email back from the vender and they are a sending replacement. They did say that the break strenght on this was only 12.75 lbs. I think that is a little light. It was prewaxed cord so I didnt wax it before I used it. Any idea what the diameter of the barbours is? I have the best luck with 0.7mm or smaller thread. At least when it comes to threading the needle on a #0 harness. I know about using a blade to thin it out. Maybe I need more practice at larger threads. Thanks for the info. Michael Edited October 18, 2011 by mlapaglia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted October 18, 2011 I gave up on the pre waxed stuff for my hand stitching. The barbours comes unwaxed and I would basically do it the old school style, thin the edges which is really easy once you get a hang of it. Just a razor straight across the thread at the end. Then I would wax it myself. Its so much easier to get a nice thinner coat of wax on it that way. Then twist the ends up and they make a nice very tapered end to thread the needles with. I am pretty sure I use the "0" hanress needles with this method. Would have to double check on that. The wax I use which I made one batch of a long while ago is pretty much equal parts of bees wax and rosin with some neets foot oil (maybe a couple tables spoons for a roughly 3 cup batch). This stuff is amazing for hand stitching. The rosin mix gribs really nice both for your fingers and the stitch itself. Once your stitching is pulled tight its there to last. It sounds kind of like a pain in the butt, however once you make the stuff up and get use to waxing the thread it really goes very quickly and painlessly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VGJ Report post Posted October 19, 2011 I just got some linen cord 4 ply Black and White 0.62 thickness. I grabbed a piece of scrap and made a long pocket, like a giant comb holder. Since I wanted to try the cords and I didn't feel like making 2 different stitch lines I put half black and half white in a saddle stitch. Starting with white on one side and black on the other. Its an interesting effect. Maybe not for a holster but I can see it on a sheath. The photos are of the front, which is gouged. The back with is not. Also a closeup of the corner and a closeup of the gouged area in the middle. The stitching could be better. It was a fast test, not intended for use. The surprising thing is I broke the white thread 3 times. twice at the second to the last hole and once as I made the back stitch at the needle. The breaks at the hole happened right at the surface of the leather. It was only about a 12 inch stitch total with a decent awl and a #0 harness needle. I got some brown from the same people, same type of cord, and it broke at the surface once on me too. Either Im pulling too hard which I do not believe I am, or the thread is wearing out as its pulled from hole to hole. The breaks are always near the needle or at the needle so its the area that gets the most use. It could be thread rot but I don't think so. Anyway I like the black and white effect in the saddle stitch. Michael It could be an interesting contrast to an exotic skin, like a black and white snake. I think the contrasting thread color would either blend in real well, or even being indistinguishable amongst the varied black and white pattern of the skin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mlapaglia Report post Posted October 26, 2011 The vender replaced the white cord for me and the new one is great. Must have been a bad batch. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
