Making Holes For Saddle Stitching Your Leather

[Sanch]

ok so I know this probably has been discussed before but I gotta know how many of you hand stitchers make your ALL of your holes before you actually stitch the "product" I would also like to know what kind of professional insight you can share about doing this? do you use an awl to make your holes? why? do you make your stitching holes as you go? do you use a drill press and a very small drill bit? if so why? what scenarios do you use these techniques? ok so here are the questions now for my answers, I have been hand sewing (saddle stitching) since I first started leatherworking and I have done nothing but make my holes as I stitch I use a diamond shaped awl to do so, also I have stitched leather form 2oz all the way up to 6 layers of 12oz (ouch! just to see if I could!) in this manner. I of course have read stitching guides of all types and watched videos etc, etc. I know! I know! if its not broke don't fix it that's not what this is about for me its about sharing professional insight (knowledge)! so again who what when where why, if you would like to include your specific tool types, suggestions and preferences please do so. also include your thread preference! for me I have had good and bad experience with waxed twisted poly cord, from Tandy, and most recently ZW leather. also I know this may be redundant but I feel that when you stop learning and sharing you have limited our art. Ladies and Gentlemen respectfully thank you for your time and participation.

Edited August 23, 2014 by stealfdawg

[DavidL]

I use my pricking iron to go all the way through leather no thicker than 4 ounces, 6 you may be able to get away with. The holes on top will be enlarged but I take my fingers and rub the marks until they go away and stitch without an awl. I've had good consistent results and I stayed with this technique. Many will say its not the right way but even professionals in italy and france I hear do it the same ways. They also do prick the iron half way and do each one at a time depending on the artisan.

[ANeat]

No expert here by any stretch but I think the key for me is to use whatever technique works best on the job at hand. Something thin? probably a good whack with a pricking iron and youre ready to stich, More typical projects, stitch mark (pricking iron) then I normally use a diamond awl as I stitch.

Ive done a few knife sheaths with 5 layer welts and used a diamond awl in a drill press(not running) to punch thru.

Lots of different ways, I think everyone ends up doing what gets the results that they are satisfied with.

I tried drilling on a couple projects and didnt like what I was seeing in the end result, not for me.

Thread; I really like tiger thread, Have a good bit of the thread from Maine Thread but to me it just doeset feel as nice as the tiger thread; at the moment Im using both

Edited August 23, 2014 by ANeat

[Sanch]

I agree on using which ever technique works best for an individual but that once again is subjective to the "product" im just looking for opinions and different views Thank you for sharing yours it is valuable and a professional insight that is shared with everyone is even more so! Tiger thread may be in my future but I cant justify spending so much on a spool and am still looking for a place that doesn't have a $50.00 minimum order! thanks again!

[ANeat]

I hear you on the Tiger thread; I got some smaller amounts on Ebay to try out. Most sell 20 or 25 meters for less than $10 Good way to try a color or size before committing to 500 meter or 1000 meter spools.

Wanting to try some of the Lin Câblé waxed linen myself but havent yet

[JohnD]

I do both depending on what I'm making. On bigger things like motorcycle seats and such, I punch holes first. On smaller items, like wallets and stuff that will fit in my stitching clamp, I punch as I go. I do always use an awl to make my holes, I never punch holes with my pricking iron, just mark the holes with it, if only for the longevity of the tool.

[MonicaJacobson]

Here's a place you can get smaller amounts of tiger thread:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/173847749/08mm-tiger-thread?ref=shop_home_active_1

That said, I get mine from Ludlow Leather, and it's no more expensive than the cheap tandy stuff. It's ten dollars more, but there's more of it. And it's amazing to use!

I use a pricking iron and go all the way around in advance. I have sewed two pieces of 9 oz together in this fashion. Lots of counting holes, though.

When I first started, I used a round awl or a drill bit to make holes, in an attempt to not have to buy so many tools, but they would tear a little bit as you sewed. The diamond shape works really well.

[Sanch]

Monica and JohnD thanks for your responses, and insight JohnD I would like to see some of your seats sir! monica thanks for the link I will be hitting Len up for some Tiger and needles soon!

[TexasJack]

The concept with a diamond awl is to open up a narrow slot that the thread can go through, and then have the leather "set" or close back up that slot so that it holds the stitch tightly. If you make a hole with a pricking iron or drill bit or whatever, that hole will never close up as tight as the one made by an awl.

If you try to make all of your holes with an awl, it's hard to keep from some of them tightening up and making it hard to sew.

So, in my mind, there are two kinds of projects: those that work best with all of the holes made first (as previous posts describe) and those that can be done a few holes at a time. People that do a variety of projects may very well use both techniques.

Then there are those who just don't like using an awl and are going to use one of the other methods, in which case it doesn't matter how many holes you do at a time.

I hope that's not completely confusing.

[Sanch]

TexasJack, thank you for your response! As you can see by my vote I have always made my holes with a diamond awl as I stitch. I have however used a drill press and 1/16" bit one time in attempt to get better results from White thread to no avail, bleeding of dye still occurred. Dye was set for 24 hours and sealed then set for 24 more.