Best Type Of Pliers For Hand Stitching?

[Lippy]

Pliers aren't the best solution. Try smaller needles and remember to taper the thread ends. If done correctly it's easy to fit a 5 chord thread in the eye of an Osborne #4 needle.

[lwm803]

Not that I do a lot of sewing, but when I do, I generally grab these Xelite bent needle nose.

[Matt S]

Pliers aren't the best solution. Try smaller needles and remember to taper the thread ends. If done correctly it's easy to fit a 5 chord thread in the eye of an Osborne #4 needle.

This. Pliers have a place but in humble opinion if you're using them a lot, something is wrong.

Edited April 30, 2013 by Matt S

[UnionCraft]

Agreed. I was taught that using pliers, means you're doing something wrong. You have to find the balance of getting the right sized awl, needles, and thread. This is taught by many master craftsman.

[shtoink]

So, there's something wrong with using brute force...?

Man, I must be doing nearly everything wrong.

Edited May 2, 2013 by shtoink

[Lippy]

Shtoink,

It's a discovery thing. Ya' just gotta try a lot of different combinations like awl sharpness, thread size, needle size, tapered thread ends, etc and then, at least for me, there was a moment when everything just clicked. The best moment was finally conquering awl sharpening. So many issues with leather can be solved with sharp tools.

Slight confession . . . sometimes on doing the ending back stitches and trying cram the threads back through the holes that already plugged with a couple o' threads pliers can be useful.

Cheers!

[mmn]

HA!! Please, do tell!

Really?... Ok, then.

1) Sitting comfortably hold the piece between your knees

2) Pull the needle through holding it wrong with the pliers

3) Let the piece slip

4) Reflex action with the knees to catch the piece while the needle is not entirely clear

Made myself a stitching pony after this experience.

Regards

Michael

[Beewoman]

So, there's something wrong with using brute force...?

Man, I must be doing nearly everything wrong.

Hahahahahah me too,

THankyou all for the replies, I have bought a small pair of pliers and that has made life MUCH easier but I will look into smaller needles too (when I work out what size I have hahahahaha) should a smaller needle work even when you are stitching through 0.6cm??? I guess I will have to read much more about sewing and tool selection hahahahaha

[Matt S]

Hahahahahah me too,

THankyou all for the replies, I have bought a small pair of pliers and that has made life MUCH easier but I will look into smaller needles too (when I work out what size I have hahahahaha) should a smaller needle work even when you are stitching through 0.6cm??? I guess I will have to read much more about sewing and tool selection hahahahaha

The smallest harness needles commonly available are John James no4. They are commonly available through reputable dealers like Abbey and Le Prevo. (Tandy are not, in my humble opinion, reputable.) No2 needles are a bit trickier but will work with 18/3 linen thread if you haven't got the hang of tapreing or rolling threads. A thickness of 6mm is no issue.

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

I don't use pliers to pull except in extreme cases like the end of a run when I purposely make the hole smaller and work back a couple of stitches to end the run. Mostly I get the wax on my fingers from the thread till they are "sticky". This helps me get a grip on the needles, wish it was that easy to get a grip on other things I need to!

Bob