Smaller Stitching

[Gurkirand]

nice stitching, and thanks for the tip i will definitely look into it.

[Jax]

I regularly stitch 3.5-4mm thick leather 10 per inch with an awl, no problem at all, I have in the past stitched similar weight at 12 struggled to find an awl blade fine enough though. I use Dixons pricking irons, I do ask to have the teeth made finer when I buy them as sometimes they seem a bit big to me, especially when using finer thread I dont like to see it getting lost in the pricking mark.

I have seen some really old English harness the stitching on that is so fine its amazing, about 14 per inch, may have been more on some, & if its been well cared for is still very useable.

[Matt S]

Sheridan leather have a few vintage pricking irons, up to an amazing 18SPI. Don't think i can see that fine let alone stitch! Prices are pretty decent but i held off due to a hefty import tax. No affiliation.

[Summings]

Depending on the leather, SPI and thread size as you increase your holes, you drop the awl and harness needles and switch to glovers needles.

The smallest I go is 9 stitches per inch and for light leather i use a John James 11/2 glovers needle.

This is too small for the Tiger thread I like so i switch to 2 ply waxed linen.

Hello, I know this is an old thread, but I'm hoping to create a handbag using a 9spi overstitch wheel. If you're still on this forum, are you referring to Irish 2ply waxed linen thread?

And on John James website I haven't been able to find 11/2 glover needles. Is this a size they do not carry anymore? If so, do you possibly know what needles and size would be comparable? Thank you