Saddle Stitch Is This Correct ?

[Invasion]

I'm trying to perfect my saddle stitch today. I seem to have trouble;with the back looking the same as front.

I would love my stitching to look like Nigel Armitage's, and that is the goal, I have set myself. Nigel's workmanship just amazes me and is totally outstanding!

I am using Tiger thread and John James harness needles. I think the front is correct just not sure about the back ?

I have attached two photos so you can see the front of the stiching and then the back any suggestions ???

[prc77ro]

If you are using an awl, it looks like you don't have the angle quite right, also a groover will make a big difference with helping your front stitches lay neatly in the front.

[EricIsaiah]

You know, I have the same "problem." Though I don't really mind it too much, since the way the back looks isn't bad, just different. It can be a bit annoying when doing things like wallets, when the back of the stitch is meant to be exposded as well. Any info/opinions on this would be appreciated.

Personally, I prefer the staggered look to the stitches, like you've acheived on the front, which is why i don't use a groover. The groove makes the stitches align more and eliminate that cool staggered look.

[Invasion]

If you are using an awl, it looks like you don't have the angle quite right, also a groover will make a big difference with helping your front stitches lay neatly in the front.

Hi, I used a Dixon pricking iron and then obviously the Awl. I didn't want the stitches to lay in a groove; I can do that.

I was after the the traditional English saddle stitch like Nigel Armitage does

Thanks for your input

You know, I have the same "problem." Though I don't really mind it too much, since the way the back looks isn't bad, just different. It can be a bit annoying when doing things like wallets, when the back of the stitch is meant to be exposded as well. Any info/opinions on this would be appreciated.

Personally, I prefer the staggered look to the stitches, like you've acheived on the front, which is why i don't use a groover. The groove makes the stitches align more and eliminate that cool staggered look.

It's driving me mad. If that's the way it was meant to be that would be ok

I really like the staggered look like you say it is much nicer looking. I have tried putting in the knot like Nigel does on some work and also I have tried when starting with right hand putting left needle on top and under before passing left one back through ???

[cloverpatch]

Why do you think that the back should not look like yours does. Mine looks that way too and I think it is because the front stitch is on the top and so pushes the stitch coming out of the back down. Another factor, I think, is that the flesh-side hole is not on the slant as it is on the grain side. I don't know if this is a correct analysis, but that is what I think so far.

Cheers.

[Invasion]

Why do you think that the back should not look like yours does. Mine looks that way too and I think it is because the front stitch is on the top and so pushes the stitch coming out of the back down. Another factor, I think, is that the flesh-side hole is not on the slant as it is on the grain side. I don't know if this is a correct analysis, but that is what I think so far.

Cheers.

Your analysis would make sense.

I'm sure, on a video Nigel had done on saddle stitch, when he showed the back it was the same as the front side ?? I may be wrong though.

I will go and have another look. Maybe I'm wrong and my stitching is perfect

[Fowlingpiece]

I am trained in the traditional English saddler style like Nigel. As long as you are repeating the same loop and placing and pulling your needles the same every time you will be fine. It appears from your pictures you are already doing that. If so, then I would be looking at the angle in which you are using your awl. Not just the tilt to match the prick angle but making sure to push exactly perpendicular to the job every time.

Hope this makes sense.

James Rogers

[Fowlingpiece]

Also....keeping the stitch line close to the clam edge and the clams upright helps this.

[gmace99]

When you pull both your threads through. Pull the left one towards the floor and the right one upwards. that should help. The other thing you should do, is when you put your left needle half way through, turn the right thread over the top of the needle. Do that every time and it should work out for you.

Hope it helps. I teach this stuff face to face but it ain't always easy to explain in text.

[Django57]

Hope you find the answer to your question as my attempts are the same as yours , i have followed all Nigel's examples and the only difference is he tends to show his examples with two pieces of veg tanned with the rough side in the middle if that makes sense . This video of a French gentleman doing the saddle stitch is worth watching but again he sandwiches two pieces of leather together but near the end he shows the back which is not quite as neat but he still gets the slant . Nigel is very helpful and he does answer questions if you ask on his videos .