Start And Stop On Holster Question

[cleanview]

So got the new cowboy 3200 yesterday and got it set up and lots of practicing and it is simple but then again a lot to figure out.

The biggest frustration is the look of the backsticing which brings me to my question.

If I am going to stop at the starting point that is wind up having done a circle. Can I start without any locking of the stitches and when I close the circle just go over the first three stitches and then back up three and have locked them up tight?

And for a beginner how do you know the stitches are right? I mean not going to unravel? If they look good and you cant pull them, is that all I can do?

[Denster]

To answer your question on the stitching. You would not need to lock the stitching at the beginning and at the end would only need to overstitch three or four with no backstitching. If you backstitch in addition you are stuffing a lot of thread into those holes and they will look nasty.

[Red Cent]

Depends on the stress placed on the leather. Especially if you are going to wet form the leather and it is snug. If possible I always tie off if the knot cannot be seen. Most all my holsters get a tiny drop of super glue in the last two or three stitches on the back to lock the stitches.

Look for the places the back stitch will not be seen. Say the buckle end of a belt. If you are doing a pancake holster, you need to backstitch. Customers will not mind if you do it right. The 3200 should be able to perfectly backstitch and the only thing will be double thread that is not really noticeable or unattractive.

What are you backstitching?

[cleanview]

Thanks.

Denster - I gues my logic was on the right trac just had it backwards, thanks

Red cent ---- I have been stitching practice scraps trying to get it down and I have a work belt that has been ready for some time and it will be the first, then a simple cowboy holster (no welt) then a wingman holster. Do you put the superglue on the back side?

I am assuming (thats all i can do with no experience) the best start place is a straight away and in the most hidden spot as well?

If it all goes wrong and the backstitch portion looks horrible on an actual holster, is there any thing that can be done to fix it? I cant imagine there is but I am swimming new water here.

[snubbyfan]

I determine where the most stress'll be placed on the stitches.

On these knife sheaths, I added "ears" to give me a place to end and double back my stitches. On the off side, I doubled my stitches to give it a balanced look.

On this holster, I started and stopped my stitches at the bottom. I started at the bottom, stitched along the inside, stitched the perimeter then back stitched 3 or 4 stitches after I came back around on the bottom.

Both ends of the thread are at the backside, clipped leaving about 1/8" then melted and mashed down.

Fold over knife sheaths and holsters, I'll start at the top and end at the bottom. Back stitching 3 or 4 stitches.

I do all my stitching by hand so I'm not sure how this'll apply to machine stitching.

I don't use any super glue and none of my stitches have ever come loose.

Edited November 13, 2014 by snubbyfan

[cleanview]

Well here is my best attempt

a start and stop with back stiching each end and then a box with back stitching to start wiht then overlapping three stitches to end with.

Ugly is the only word to describe it

[Red Cent]

"...the best start place is a straight away...."
Not necessarily.
This.
".... in the most hidden spot as well?"
I stitch all the belt. All the way around. Some start and stop just before the buckle. I start at the hidden end/buckle end. I backstitch when I start and when I stop.

Yes, the drop of glue is always on the back. Carefully. Too much and you will get a dark spot. And you do not want the glue to go all the way through the hole. Just a little dab will do ya.

[Red Cent]

I believe you need to adjust the tension some. I use 277 top and 207 bottom and the top will pull into the leather. The needle hole seems to be huge compared to the thread. What size needle and thread?

....

[Splash]

I got the 4500, If I go around like sewing a reinforcement piece, I usually overlap my stitching by 3 or 4 stitches. on the pancakes, like on the picture, by the belt loops, I mostly never start and finish on the same place. I start on the bottom of the holster about 5 stitches from when I am turning up aling the first stitch line. That way, I have about 3 or 4 stitched to go over on my second pass (this will lock my begining stitch line. Then at my stopping point, I'll reverse my machine and do 3 or 4 back stitches. does that makes sence?

[cleanview]

Red cent- The machine came set up and I tightened it some and brought it from 5 per inch down to 6 per inch.

Two needle pacs witht he machine marked 277 and 138 . It had 207 thread in it so I am sure the needle is the package markedd 277 which says size 25

Splash - Are you saying you uses the pass over stiches to lock them in?