JakeDiebolt Report post Posted January 13, 2014 Hello awl Does anyone have any tips on how to do a butt-stitch with only a straight awl blade and needles? I know that most people use a curved awl blade but the only ones I can get are from Tandy Leather and I have found their awl blades to be sub-par at best. (Yes, I can get them sharp enough to work, but they don't seem to hold an edge worth a darn and the last ones took hours of work to get them sharp enough). I have a Bob Douglas awl blade and haft and I am supremely happy with them. I hope that they can somehow be used for this method. Any tips, tutorials or videos would be very helpful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted January 14, 2014 Are these pieces inline with each other or perpendicular? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JakeDiebolt Report post Posted January 14, 2014 They are in line with each other, edge to edge. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted January 14, 2014 (edited) I'm assuming you can't get at both sides when stitching? What is the application, how thick is the leather? http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3429/3208004209_3be7f99fd3_o.jpg Edited January 14, 2014 by Tree Reaper Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JakeDiebolt Report post Posted January 14, 2014 (edited) I haven't started a project with this kind of stitch yet, but there are couple I'm interested in doing so I'm trying to get a feel for the technique. This would be for something like stitching a cylinder as shown in the Stohlman hand sewing book under sewing with curved needles. There are apparently some stitching lines in shoes that require it as well (esp historical reproduction shoes, which I may get into). Below is a link to an image of the type of stitching I'm talking about. I'm pretty sure leather thickness would be in the 5-8 oz range. http://home.earthlin...9/butt-down.jpg The baseball stitch you posted would work as well, I think. From the stohlman manual it seems that is best done with a glover's needle? Would that be your experience as well? Edited January 14, 2014 by JakeDiebolt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted January 14, 2014 You can use a straight awl to make your holes but it helps to use a curved needle to complete the stitch. I'll make the holes then put the pieces together and stitch with a curved needle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TXAG Report post Posted January 14, 2014 I don't know if this will help, but you can get curved needles here... http://www.paragear.com/products/10000169/S7210/ Unfortunately, they have a $25 minimum order...but they have some other things leather workers will find useful...(sewing palms, thread, etc...) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted January 14, 2014 I just heat up a straight needle and bend the end. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TXAG Report post Posted January 14, 2014 Yeah, I don't feel like doing that, so I just buy them already made that way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JakeDiebolt Report post Posted January 14, 2014 Thanks a lot guys! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tannin Report post Posted October 18, 2014 (edited) I've bent several leather needles (esp. JJ 002's) by accident, so I already have several that might be suitable :D I just heat up a straight needle and bend the end. Yes, Al Stohlman's book (with "The Art of..." or the tool one, I forget which) suggests doing exactly that if you have trouble finding curved needles/awls. His drawing shows a match (or possibly a candle?) being used as the heat source*. Apparently it works for awl blades as well as needles. *I expect some leatherworkers already have a heat source available for tools such a crease/double-crease. BTW what do folk generally use for that, a small spirit lamp/candle/bunsen burner/lighter/...? Edited October 18, 2014 by Tannin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
