Rough Out Saddle Seat Repair

[Pounder]

Hey Ya'll:

Started my first saddle repair project by replacing a rough out saddle seat and have a few things I could use some help.

I have removed the old seat and the padding underneath, what is your recommendation to replace the padding with? The old padding appeared to be some sort of fiber material with a burlap covering where it was glued to the strainer pad. The owner has told me she has owned this saddle for over twenty years if that helps.

Is there some place to obtain a design for the stitching for the old seat or is this a free hand type thing? I think I can recreate the stitching pattern but the old seat is in very poor condition.

I have been working leather for 30 years and this is my first saddle repair so if there is any other tips or tricks that would help I would be grateful for the knowledge. Already own the Stohlman Saddle series and have worn the binding studying them.

Thanks and look forward to a lot of responses from you who have been where I am.

[dirtclod]

Put some 1/4 neoprene in for the padding. Personally i wouldn't stitch a pattern back in the seat all the holes from stitching is just place for water and dirt to go plus their a PITA to get things lined up and looking right. But if you stitch the seat it's a free hand design you draw on some paper then run a stitch wheel over your lines, lay the pattern on the seat and tap a sock with baby power in it to mark lines to stitch by on the seat.

[Pounder]

Thanks Dirtclod, excellent recommendation just what I was looking for. I agree with the stitching on the seat but the saddle has that satitch design all over it and the customer wants and I am sure you know what that means. Thanks again.