Thread And Knots For Hand Sewing

[CCPhotog]

I've yet to discover the perfect type of thread for hand sewing. The Al Stohlman book recommends cotton or linen, waxed. I bought some waxed linen thread from Tandy, and the problem is, it breaks all the time. About every 8 to 10 stitches, in fact, it breaks right at the eye of the needle. It gets very, very frustrating having to stop every 5 minutes and rethread my needle, especially since the thread gets a few inches shorter each time.

I looked around and found "synthetic sinew," which appears to be waxed nylon. The good thing is, it doesn't break. The bad thing : It's so slippery that knots won't hold. With the waxed line, I used the method of piercing through the thread with the needle, then bringing the end of the thread around to the eye and pulling it through. This makes a larks head in the middle of the thread around the needle. That holds the waxed linen in place, but the synthetic sinew just slips out. I've tried almost every knot I can think of, from a few half hitches, overhand, square knot, etc, and any knot that's strong enough to hold is so big it doesn't go through the holes.

Sewing is turning into the part of any project that I dread, and I find myself procrastinating. I love how the finished product looks, but these problems are making sewing an exercise in frustration. Any tips? What thread do you guys prefer, and what knots do you use to hold it in the needle?

[mlapaglia]

I use waxed linen No problem with needle breakage. Dont use sinew for normal stitching. It really isnt a good thread for most things.

1: Which needle are you using the large eye needle from Tandy?

2: How are you making your needle holes in the leather? with an awl or a punch?

I use 3-5 cord linen with a diameter of 0.52-0.83 mm's with a harness needle of #0. I know people that use other thread and #3-4 harness needles. I cant remember the last time I broke a thread at the needle while sewing. I have a machine but I still do some holsters by hand. I enjoy it.

Try this as a sample. I use this all the time. It works well for me. Make sure you are not pulling the string tight by the needle. Wrap the thread around your finger when you pull so it doesn't pull at the needle. If its breaking at the needle your most likely pulling the thread too tight with the needle or pulling it through the hole by the needle and not the thread once the needle gets clear of the leather.

FYI when you make the larks head on the thread at the needle pull the not so its up against the needle

Try a different thread. Get back to us on the answers to the two questions. I know we can help you.

Here is an example of pulling the threads not the needles to take up the slack and tighten it up.

(Ignore the knot at top its for starting with two threads instead of one long one.)

Michael

Edited April 20, 2012 by mlapaglia

[CCPhotog]

I am using a dremel to drill holes, with a 3/64" drill bit. I own an awl, and I've tried using it, but after stabbing myself deeply in the hand and fingers a few times, I decided that modern technology is a good thing.

The needle I'm using is a Tandy Harness needle.

It's not pulling the thread tight, with the linen, that breaks it. It's pulling the thread through the hole. It breaks before the thread ever gets to the other side, right at the eye. I'm going to take some pictures to explain what's going wrong, perhaps that will help.

I use waxed linen No problem with needle breakage. Dont use sinew for normal stitching. It really isnt a good thread for most things.

1: Which needle are you using the large eye needle from Tandy?

2: How are you making your needle holes in the leather? with an awl or a punch?

I use 3-5 cord linen with a diameter of 0.52-0.83 mm's with a harness needle of #0. I know people that use other thread and #3-4 harness needles. I cant remember the last time I broke a thread at the needle while sewing. I have a machine but I still do some holsters by hand. I enjoy it.

Try this as a sample. I use this all the time. It works well for me. Make sure you are not pulling the string tight by the needle. Wrap the thread around your finger when you pull so it doesn't pull at the needle. If its breaking at the needle your most likely pulling the thread too tight with the needle or pulling it through the hole by the needle and not the thread once the needle gets clear of the leather.

FYI when you make the larks head on the thread at the needle pull the not so its up against the needle

Try a different thread. Get back to us on the answers to the two questions. I know we can help you.

Here is an example of pulling the threads not the needles to take up the slack and tighten it up.

(Ignore the knot at top its for starting with two threads instead of one long one.)

Michael

[mlapaglia]

I am using a dremel to drill holes, with a 3/64" drill bit. I own an awl, and I've tried using it, but after stabbing myself deeply in the hand and fingers a few times, I decided that modern technology is a good thing.

The needle I'm using is a Tandy Harness needle.

It's not pulling the thread tight, with the linen, that breaks it. It's pulling the thread through the hole. It breaks before the thread ever gets to the other side, right at the eye. I'm going to take some pictures to explain what's going wrong, perhaps that will help.

It may be that you have some thread that is old and starting to rot. That or the hole is too small. I have never broken a thread at that point. Pictures will help.

If you want to try the awl again, I think it makes a better looking stitch, Get a wine or champagne cork and hold the flat side on the back of the leather. Then push the awl through the leather into the cork. It gives you a good backing for thick leather and you don't stab yourself. I learned that trick here and it really helps.

Michael

Edited April 20, 2012 by mlapaglia

[CCPhotog]

I have tried three or four different spools of thread, from two different retailers.

What knot do you use to hold the thread in the needle?

It may be that you have some thread that is old and starting to rot. That or the hole is too small. I have never broken a thread at that point. Pictures will help.

Michael

[mlapaglia]

I have tried three or four different spools of thread, from two different retailers.

What knot do you use to hold the thread in the needle?

I use the same knot as you use I think. I just make sure its against the edge of the needle and not any space between the needle and the knot.

One question. How many layers and what weight is the leather.

Edited April 20, 2012 by mlapaglia

[ChuckBurrows]

Try Barbour's unwaxed linen sinew in 5 cord from campbell-bosworth an then wax it yourself - not initally cheap but much cheaper in the long run..

Edited April 20, 2012 by ChuckBurrows

[TexasJack]

I've found that Chuck's advice is usually worth it's weight in gold. I bought a spool of Barbour's linen and found that it was a lot easier to work with than the junk I was using before.

[CCPhotog]

The Barbour's only comes in natural. Do you guys dye it for other colors? Will Fiebings dye it?

I've found that Chuck's advice is usually worth it's weight in gold. I bought a spool of Barbour's linen and found that it was a lot easier to work with than the junk I was using before.

[ChuckBurrows]

The Barbour's only comes in natural. Do you guys dye it for other colors? Will Fiebings dye it?

Yes and Yes - dye before waxing - cut off a length dip in the dye, let hang to dry, rub it down with a cloth to remove excess dye, wax or wax/pitch, then burnish with a piece of brown paper bag - I put a loop in one end, place the loop over a hook, the rub it hard enough to get it warm....