Saddle Stitch Origins?

[Basically Bob]

I am curious to know the origins of the saddle stitch. Have searched this forum with no luck .... Is there anyone here that has this info?

Edited June 24, 2013 by Basically Bob

[Les No6]

A saddle stitch is a slanted ////// two dimensional (sits flat on top of the leather in corect form) decorative stitch its use became more predominant with the advent of sewing machines which could initially only sew straight ------ some used the saddle stitch to give a visual indication that the item was hand stitched, hence the popular myth that hand stitching is slanted, I'm unsure what Country or what trade it originated but I suspect it's French it's certainly not traditional English. The traditional English stitch is straight pricked up stitching also in popular western saddlery to this day, pricking up is rounding the stitches to give a three a dimensional pees in the pod look by the correct use of an over stitch wheel or with a pricker by placing the pricker in the stitch hole and rounding the stitches individually hence the term pricking up.

[Mixael]

I can't tell you the REAL origins of what we call the saddle stitch, so I"m gonna make something up.

Some guy, somewhere, had to make a saddle. He stitched it by hand, slowly and carefully. In the end, he had made a thing of beauty, and in the process developed a simply yet attractive stitching pattern. The king liked it so much, he called the saddler to ask what this wonderful method was called. The poor leather goods maker, not knowing what to call it, and VERY nervous, simply said, "It's a saddle stitch, Your Highness." And thus was born a long tradition of hand sewing with angled holes, two needles, one thread, and lots of questions. (Legend and/or rumor has it that the name of the gent that made the saddle was "Nigel", but there is no proof.)

Now, if you ever DO find the REAL story, let me know. Otherwise, I'm sticking with my story

(Do I need to mention that my post is almost all in fun? I really don't know the answer to your question, but my story is as likely as ony other, right? )

[Django57]

I read this to my children and they fell fast asleep lovely bed time story .

[Mixael]

Glad I could be of service.

[Dangerous Beans]

Awesome!

I'm in a bedtime story!!!

[El Zipster]

I think he was refering to Nigel Hawthorne LOL

Cheers

Zip

[WyomingSlick]

I am curious to know the origins of the saddle stitch. Have searched this forum with no luck .... Is there anyone here that has this info?

I am sure that the origins of the stitch are nearly as far back in history as the idea to first use leather to make footwear and clothing. The name "saddle stitch" itself probably dates back nearly to when people first made saddles, and of course that is also thousands of years in the past.

[Mixael]

Oh, WOW! I had forgotten about this thread! AWESOME!

Awesome!

I'm in a bedtime story!!!

^this is correct. At least it is in my made up story

I think he was refering to Nigel Hawthorne LOL

Cheers

Zip

^Nope, was refering to Dangerous Beans.

Take care, guys

[Dangerous Beans]

On a more serious note... I think WyomingSlick has it right, this stitch is as old as saddles.

Much like the bow and arrow, no one culture can clam its invention, and no one person can be attributed to its development.

Skills were very guarded so the secrecy around noteworthy saddlers skills hampered the recording of methods.

I have had many conversations with re-enacters who say that leatherwork was quite crude and the saddle stitch would not have been around in the Middle Ages.

I disagree, having seen some of the work dug up over the years in metal, I think artisans in the Middle Ages had a phenomenal range of skills, we just don't have proof because leather does not last that long. There is no reason do doubt the saddle stitch had been around for a very long time.

I think the development of tools such as the awl and pricking irons which in the scheme of things are fairly recent, and of course the needle have contributed to a more consistent and neater stitch, but only as a progression of an existing method.

But... And more importantly! I'm in a story!

Nige