Girl Report post Posted June 4, 2014 Well, I got my new irons today. I 'think' I'm excited? I'm sure there is a learning curve for EVERYTHING! So...what am I doing wrong? My stitching was nice and straight with my old punch, now it's all messed up? But I'm stitching the same way? The red is the new iron, the white is the old iron. In their pictures Online, it's straight, so...it's got to be me! Thanks for your help! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LTC Report post Posted June 4, 2014 you need to watch Nigel Armitage's saddle stitching in detail video on youtube a couple times or so. you're not doing your stitch exactly the same way on every single stitch. that's why it doesn't look right.your old iron might've masked that your stitching was being done inconsistently. hard to tell since i don't know what you were using for the old one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted June 4, 2014 You are not using the same direction on every stitch. Always the same thread to the left/over the other thread and so on. you are switching up which thread is on which side. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girl Report post Posted June 4, 2014 Yep, your right! I guess I wasn't being careful? It's much better now that I've practiced a bit. . Since these holes are much thinner, can you separate the waxed thread? Like embroidery floss? Or, doesn't that mess up the thread? I don't think the place I get my stuff even has thinner thread? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted June 4, 2014 Most of the time you can not cleanly separate the threads. Just buy machine thread in the size you want and way it with beeswax. Most prewaxed thread has way to much wax on it and many are waxed with paraffin instead of beeswax. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girl Report post Posted June 4, 2014 That sounds like a good idea. Can you buy regular sewing machine thread, or do you have to buy those bigger cone one? I think I will try that next. I have loads of sewing machine thread, but that might be a bit too weak? Thank you...for your help! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted June 5, 2014 Weakness is not the issue, appearance is. One of the biggest issues with buying big thread is that it usually does not come in small spools. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girl Report post Posted June 5, 2014 Ah, okay, great! I will give it a try! Thanks so much!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcobranding Report post Posted June 6, 2014 (edited) I agree with LTC. Here is a direct link to Nigel's saddle stitch video: I've watched it 5 or 6 times at least. Fantastic reference. Much like with sharpening and honing edges, there's a ton of garbage on YouTube related to the saddle stitch. Nigel is the best I've seen.For the record, I really want to get my hands on the Joseph Dixon pricking irons. Hope this helps. Edited June 6, 2014 by dcobranding Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silverwingit Report post Posted June 25, 2014 Here's an updated version of Nigel's saddle stitching video: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites