jk215 Report post Posted August 9, 2013 Coming from the world of handstitching Im used to neatly tucking the ends of my finished thread and now getting used to machine stitching. I do a lot of natural veg tan and white thread and not really loving the "burnt end" of using a lighter to finish. Does anyone do anything differently for a nice neat finish? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted August 9, 2013 You can do the same as with hand stitching if you want. Leave tails long and thread a couple needles. Can tie and tuck. Can use super glue, but it darkens light leather. Can back-stitch at the start and at the end. The starting stitch gets trapped nicely. But the end still needs tied or glued or whatever to keep it from loosening. I pull on the bottom thread and pull the top thread through so both are on the bottom. If it will be hidden, a drop of super glue, if not, tie and use a machine needle to push the ends inside. All depends on appearance and what will be visible after. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted August 9, 2013 I back stitch (number varies somewhat) and cut as close as I can to the leather after cutting the threads about 3 or 4 inches long, . . . and doing the tug, pull, tug, pull thing to get that final knot seated in the middle. My sharp little pointed scissors goes down as close as I can, . . . SNIP, SNIP, . . . and I'm done. The dye and Resolene usually hide the little short ends well enough for me. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KandB Report post Posted September 29, 2013 I backstitch, but then I'll leave long tails, and when I finish sewing I'll pull the tails through to the inside (the space between the two pieces of leather I've just sewn together) using an awl or a very small screw driver, and tie the knots in there - then cut and lightly melt - you can't see them so the 'burn' isn't visible, and it keeps the thread from fraying and causing the knot to undo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerry895 Report post Posted October 14, 2013 I am just a beginner, bought an old Juki LU-55 this machine doesn't have reverse. Should I hand tie the start and end of my sewing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TXAG Report post Posted October 14, 2013 (edited) I am just a beginner, bought an old Juki LU-55 this machine doesn't have reverse. Should I hand tie the start and end of my sewing? You could do that or you could turn the piece around (leave the needle down, raise the foot, turn piece 180°, lower foot) and go back over it that way. Edited October 14, 2013 by TXAG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
