Members brennamagill Posted January 14, 2012 Members Report Posted January 14, 2012 Hey all, I've been teaching myself the leather trade. I'm trying to find a local saddle maker to possibly apprentice with, to really learn all the tricks and touches of the trade. Until then, I have a couple books, a couple hides and and a part time job, allowing me time to practice. I'm due to buy some new thread though, and am torn after all of my research. I've got an idea of what I need but then, don't know how to find the right stuff. I 've been stitching with a no. 6 overstitch wheel (sometimes a 5), and have a range of leather sides that are 3.5 - 8 0z. Hand stitching is my method of choice. I'm curious people's opinions on pre-waxed or not, and linen or nylon. And whatever else, like gauge or strand, brand. I've shopped some online, and book binding thread is closest to what I imagine I should have, but I have no clue its strength or quality, cobblers thread seems more like what I should find. Please help me! There are so many options. Its important for me to use the best materials I can, do it right the first time! Quote
Members Spence Posted January 14, 2012 Members Report Posted January 14, 2012 check out mainethread.com I've just started using their .40 and .45 linen thread and I'm liking it. Quote Spence Mendoza, TX, USA
Members katsass Posted January 24, 2012 Members Report Posted January 24, 2012 (edited) Hey all, I've been teaching myself the leather trade. I'm trying to find a local saddle maker to possibly apprentice with, to really learn all the tricks and touches of the trade. Until then, I have a couple books, a couple hides and and a part time job, allowing me time to practice. I'm due to buy some new thread though, and am torn after all of my research. I've got an idea of what I need but then, don't know how to find the right stuff. I 've been stitching with a no. 6 overstitch wheel (sometimes a 5), and have a range of leather sides that are 3.5 - 8 0z. Hand stitching is my method of choice. I'm curious people's opinions on pre-waxed or not, and linen or nylon. And whatever else, like gauge or strand, brand. I've shopped some online, and book binding thread is closest to what I imagine I should have, but I have no clue its strength or quality, cobblers thread seems more like what I should find. Please help me! There are so many options. Its important for me to use the best materials I can, do it right the first time! well guy, I learned to hand stitch a long time ago, with waxed linen thread. After trying some different synthetic threads, I still used waxed linen. I make holsters and items associated with shooting sports and a #6 overstitch is ideal for most jobs. As to stitching my advice is to take your time, concentrate, and make every stitch EXACTLY the same as the one preceding it. Here's a sample of my hand stitching. OH, I just purchase Waxed Linen Thread from Springfield Leather. Mike Edited January 24, 2012 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 Mijo Posted January 24, 2012 Members Report Posted January 24, 2012 check out mainethread.com I've just started using their .40 and .45 linen thread and I'm liking it. Spence - I checked mainethread's website and I don't see linen thread on there. Is that something I would need to call them about, or is it listed on the website and I'm just looking in the wrong place? I saw the cotton thread section but my understanding is that cotton and linen are not the same thing Katsass - Is the waxed linen thread from springfield better than what Tandy offers? Looking at the description of the thread on Springfield's website it appears to be the same. I just started hand sewing myself so I'm also interest in what other people are using. Quote
Members 556guy Posted January 24, 2012 Members Report Posted January 24, 2012 Check out Royalwood Ltd for Irish waxed lined thread. They carry a wide range of colors in 2 ply to 12 ply. http://www.royalwoodltd.com/cat14-17ar.htm Quote
Members Spence Posted January 24, 2012 Members Report Posted January 24, 2012 Spence - I checked mainethread's website and I don't see linen thread on there. Is that something I would need to call them about, or is it listed on the website and I'm just looking in the wrong place? I saw the cotton thread section but my understanding is that cotton and linen are not the same thing Katsass - Is the waxed linen thread from springfield better than what Tandy offers? Looking at the description of the thread on Springfield's website it appears to be the same. I just started hand sewing myself so I'm also interest in what other people are using. It appears that I've mislead folks. I just checked mainethread and the stuff I'm buying is now called "waxed polycord". When I bought the 8 spools originally, I was under the distinct impression it was "waxed linen cord". I don't know what happened, but I apologize. That aside, I'm happy enough with it that I will continue using it. Not too much and not too little wax. The colors that I bought (Earth tones) fit all of my needs. Katsass: Keep in mind that Springfield is a dealership, of sorts, for Tandy. I don't know what their arrangement is, but in all the dealings I've had with Springfield, I've never been disappointed. In fact, I'm almost continually surprised at the level of customer service/satisfaction they display. It takes me back 40-50 years. lol Sorry for the bad info folks. Quote Spence Mendoza, TX, USA
Members jk215 Posted January 25, 2012 Members Report Posted January 25, 2012 I came across this diagram that I have been using as reference for thread/overstitch settings.. Quote http://shop.makesupply-leather.com - Custom and Stocked Acrylic Templates
Members Mijo Posted January 25, 2012 Members Report Posted January 25, 2012 Check out Royalwood Ltd for Irish waxed lined thread. They carry a wide range of colors in 2 ply to 12 ply. http://www.royalwood.../cat14-17ar.htm 556 - Thanks for the link, I was actually looking around for a supplier for colored linen thread. Is ply the same as cord? If it is I noticed that Royalwood doesn't carry 5 cord linen thread and according to the the Art of Hand Sewing when using a #6 overstitch your suppose to use 5 cord linen thread. In this case is it better to go up or down in cords / plys? Spence - No worries. I thought maybe the linen thread was something new they were carrying and their website had not been updated yet. Quote
Members katsass Posted January 25, 2012 Members Report Posted January 25, 2012 Spence - I checked mainethread's website and I don't see linen thread on there. Is that something I would need to call them about, or is it listed on the website and I'm just looking in the wrong place? I saw the cotton thread section but my understanding is that cotton and linen are not the same thing Katsass - Is the waxed linen thread from springfield better than what Tandy offers? Looking at the description of the thread on Springfield's website it appears to be the same. I just started hand sewing myself so I'm also interest in what other people are using. Mijo; Well, frankly, I don't know. I quit using the 'T' place some time ago. They used to be pretty good 30 or so years ago, but my experience is that their quality of goods has diminished since their reorganization. Mike 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.
Scary Leatherworks Posted January 25, 2012 Report Posted January 25, 2012 556 - Thanks for the link, I was actually looking around for a supplier for colored linen thread. Is ply the same as cord? If it is I noticed that Royalwood doesn't carry 5 cord linen thread and according to the the Art of Hand Sewing when using a #6 overstitch your suppose to use 5 cord linen thread. In this case is it better to go up or down in cords / plys? Spence - No worries. I thought maybe the linen thread was something new they were carrying and their website had not been updated yet. The thread from Tandy/Springfield is 6ply/cord. I have used it for awhile and haven't had any problems with it so far. I have the Royal wood thread card and personally if I were going to order from them I'd go with the 7 cord for any heavy duty items and 4 cord for smaller things. This is just my 2 cents. Quote
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