Prefered Sewing Methods?

[Bryan M]

I have some questions. If I'm doing the holes by hand, awl, how do I keep the cuts at 45 deg.? I need to back the awl some how, what is a good way to do that? I don't have a stitching pony, is there a decient subsitute?

My first attempt was a dismal failure. I don't think I did one thing right. It looks a total mess.

[gary]

I sew using a pricking iron to mark the holes - these help keep the right angle. I've also flattened a part of the awl handle where my thumb rests so I get it in the right and same position each time.

A sharp awl backs out easier than a blunt one. If you find you need to put finger or thumb pressure on the leather with the hand holding the awl, make sure you don't dent the leather with your finger nails.

Hope that helps.

Gary

[Matt S]

Bryan, try a wine cork for backing stitches. Champagne type corks fit my hand nicely, even if they're not Dom Perignon!

Sewing clams are quite easy. Take a foot or two of 2x4 and saw a slot 1 inch wide down most of its narrow side. Bevel the top jaws at 45 degrees or steeper and cover the tesulting sharp edges with leather. Add a clamp or bolt for pressure.

[Bryan M]

Ok I'll make a stitching pony then. I've been reading about how here on the site. I have the awl plenty sharp, I think I'll figure out a way to keep that angle consistant. Maybe a drafting triangle for reference with a T-square something like that. If I'm punching the awl straight down with a nylon boad behind it that may work for the hole. I have an over stitch wheel, got that the other day. The spaces are even just not the angles.. its kind of obvious on several of the holes. Is a round awl an option? Or do people just not use them for stitching?

[billymac814]

A round awl won't cut through the leather easy, it'll just push the material out, that goes for hand stitching and machine stitching.

You'll get the hang of the angle with practice, a stitching pony will make your life much easier. They are easy enough to make or they can be bought pretty cheap if you don't have the means to DIY. Also I'll occasionally stich my awl in a cake of beeswax, it makes going in and out a little easier.

When you get the pony done you'll be able to see where the awl is coming through on the backside, if it isn't where you want it pull it back through and push it in again, if your pushing it into a poly board or something you can't see where its punching through.

[ramrod]

bryan - what gary said about flattening your awl handle on one side is a great idea. i used to simply mark mine with a sharpey to "index" it. you absolutely must hold and insert the awl the same way every time in order to make the holes look consistent. it will definitely come with practice.

sounds like you're a willing student who's willing to learn and tackle everything.

good on 'ya.

[Bryan M]

Ok Ramrod, I'm getting the idea I think. I'll get the awl indexed and try to be more consistant. Life caught up to me today and I wasn't able to do anything. I'm trying to learn something that I know takes time to master. I don't believe in half measures. Also, I love to learn new things. I've been blacksmithing for 4 years and love that too. I'm ventureing into makeing knives and sheaths are a natural progression. So thats my basic motivation. But, I also want to do it correctly and well.

[katsass]

FWIW from the grump: Here's a pic of a #1 harness needle, the blade of my 30+ year old Osborne diamond awl and the resultant holes it makes, just to give and idea of relative sizes. Hope this helps. Mike

[Bryan M]

Thanks that picture helps a lot. Now I just need to get my awl sharp enough.

[Bryan M]

Ok so I got a little stitching practice in. On the left side of the picture I used the speedy stitcher, and on the right is some saddle stitching. Its somewhat better than my last attempt. I didn't take pictures of the back.. brrrrr... thats just aweful.

Bryan