Hand Stitching Time

[Lippy]

Note to JIMSADDLER.

Is there any way you could post a few images showing what good traditional hand stitching should look like?

Cheers.

[spooky]

Proper Hand Sewing usually runs at aprox 3 to 3.2 stitches per minute if done with the Awl and Needles being the only implements. That is at #8 per inch. Pre Drilling or punching holes and the like is much slower and inefficient. All good stitching takes is practice and patience.

I used to have Ladies stitching for me who would average up to 30inches per hour at #8spi all day on heavy 10-12mm Harness Traces. Also they were as neat on the back as the front. The secret was loud Church Music! They just did it mechanically while listening to the Music.

240 stitches every hour for 8 hours per day and then do 4 hours overtime after a meal. So come on you Stitchers give it a go, there's only one method that is worth using and that is use the Awl to make the holes and don't put the needles down. It's the fastest way and the best.

Kindest Regards.

Jim Saddler.

I see that you're from Australia... any idea where I can buy a decent pricking iron in Australia? All the new ones that I've seen are waaay too thick. Thanks

[mlapaglia]

Does your clientele pay for this reduced efficiency?

Any input will surely be appreciated. Thanks!

Actually they pay or the increased custom look and feel of a saddle stitch. I've never had a person object to paying more for hand stitching. I have a Tippmann Boss sewing machine and saddle stitch also. Depends on the project, customer and budget.

Michael

[mlapaglia]

Sorry, SQL Error = Double Post

Edited October 28, 2012 by mlapaglia

[jimsaddler]

I couldn't have said it better

"Now, the REASON an awl is preferred over a drilled or punched out hole is that an awl's hole will close up around the thread to keep out dirt, grime, and gunk that can deteriorate the thread. The awl pierces the leather and more or less 'shoves' the leather out of the way....and it'll move back in time to where only a slit marking the width of the awl will be visible. A drilled or punched hole removes the leather from the hole, and while it may close up a bit, it'll never fully close."

I endorse what you are saying as it is a basic reason why Hand Sewing has been arround for thousands of years and hasn't changed basically.

I will try to get some examples of proper Hand Sewing posted if I can get assistance on the Camera.

Kindest Regards.

Jim Saddler.

[Fredo]

I use a combination of two systems for hand stitiching. Some pre punch all holes, some punch each hole as they stitch.

I have a nice stitiching horse with jaws that are about 5 inches wide (or long) I set up my project in the horse and I pre punch with an awl for the length of the jaws. I stitch those and move my work, pre punch and stitich. I like that I can say that I hand saddle stitch.

Edited October 29, 2012 by Fredo

[TwinOaks]

There's already a good number of examples of hand stitching on the site - look at the stitching done by Katsass.

[St8LineGunsmith]

TwinOaks

I cant think of any other person to use as an example for such professional looking stitching

and I think he uses a drill to pre punch his stitch holes.

[Les No6]

Hi all, I've followed many debaters discussing the various merits of hand stitching with an awl, a multi prong punch, or dremel/other prepunching methods. I've been stitching with an awl in a pony for a short while now and I enjoy it but it is slow; at 6SPI I reckon I hit 24"/hour or so.

Is this slow? Can this method get speedy? How fast do you folks using other methods get going? Does your clientele pay for this reduced efficiency?

Any input will surely be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi Strudell I think you are doing well at that speed you will speed up a little in time there is no real short cuts just technique and practice, I do 20mins per foot at 8SPI but I’ve had over 30 years practice. I don’t advocate using a drill (can be useful repairing old tack where the leather is old and hard) it takes longer and produces a poorer weaker stitch.

Yes hand stitching commands a premium, one tip I can give you is if you attach a couple of leather loops to you clamp you have a convenient place to put your pricker and a small pair of pliers.

[Les No6]

Here some of my hand stiching at 8SPI.