Members Geneva Posted February 11, 2015 Members Report Posted February 11, 2015 The biggest drawback to machine stitch is the fact that there is twice the thread in a hand stitch than there is in a machine stitch. Machine stitching is ten times faster than hand sewing and only 1/2 the strength but you will not pull it apart. Good luck. Quote
Members Red Cent Posted February 11, 2015 Members Report Posted February 11, 2015 http://www.schmetzneedles.com/learning/pdf/leather-needles.pdf Quote https://www.facebook.com/redcentcustomleather?ref=bookmarks http://www.redcentcustomleather.com/
DarkGoku Posted February 11, 2015 Author Report Posted February 11, 2015 I did try the pulling apart bit, and the saddle stitch vs machine stitch. I found the saddle stitch was stronger but it had taken a lot of effort on both styles. either way ifound they both have there benefits to their application. thank you for the advice because, I feel confident about my options:) Quote Proverbs 90:17 17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. NKJ Singer 15/31, Cobra 4, Tacsew T111, and Walmart $80 Singer thingy
Members ENC Posted February 12, 2015 Members Report Posted February 12, 2015 Geniva, can you explain why there is twice as much thread in hand stitching? I always thought they were about the same. Both methods have threads top and bottom and they both go through the holes twice. The only difference I see is that machine stitching makes a u-turn inside the holes. Thanks, Ray Quote
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted February 12, 2015 Contributing Member Report Posted February 12, 2015 (edited) fact that there is twice the thread in a hand stitch than there is in a machine stitch..... Wait.... what... ? The lock stitch does "make a u-turn" in the hole, and the saddle stitch 'makes a u-turn" on the surface of the leather (or in a groove), so in theory the saddle stitch would have a thread longer by the amount of the difference between the thickness of the leather and half the thickness of the leather twice for each stitch. Tha's hardta say 3 times fast, but I know what I meant Let's try that idea .... Say you stitch a 40" seam of 8 oz leather - just because it's even numbers. Oh, keep in mind it matters how many stitches, so lets say 6 per inch.Both threads start outside the leather. The lock stitch goes HALF WAY THROUGH the leather, AND BACK, so one thickness (1/2 in and 1/2 out). Thus, it 'travels' 1/8" (8 oz) plus 1/6" to get ready for the next stitch. That's about .292" each thread, so 2 threads is .584" per stitch. 40" times 6/inch = 240 stitches, so a total of about 140" of thread (6 feet twice). The saddle stitch goes THROUGH the leather, so one thickness. Thus it 'travels' 1/8" (8oz) plus 1/6" to get ready for the next stitch. That's about .292" each thread, so 2 threads is .584" per stitch. 40" times 6/inch = 240 stitches, so a total of about 140" of thread (6 feet twice). Crap.. wait.. did I do that right, or did I miss soemthing? It APPEARS that if the leather is the same, and the stitch length is the same, and the thread tension and/or stretch is the same, then the thread length would be the same. Yes? No? Edited February 12, 2015 by JLSleather Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Contributing Member TwinOaks Posted February 12, 2015 Contributing Member Report Posted February 12, 2015 Me too Jeff..... Quote Mike DeLoach Esse Quam Videri (Be rather than Seem) "Don't learn the tricks of the trade.....Learn the trade." "Teach what you know......Learn what you don't." LEATHER ARTISAN'S DIGITAL GUILD on Facebook.
Matt T Posted February 13, 2015 Report Posted February 13, 2015 I think you guys are over-thinking this. Hand stitch and machine stitch use about the same amount of thread. Each side of the hand stitch goes all the way through the thickness of the leather, and each side of the machine stitch goes up and down half of the thickness, equaling a distance of the full leather thickness on each side. Quote Leathercraft supplies
DarkGoku Posted February 13, 2015 Author Report Posted February 13, 2015 this is crazy, how a conversation evolves:) its something to think about! I love a good saddle stitch, but I worry now that I have this awesome machine, ill get lazy and start using it in place of hand stitching. I do feel that a saddle stitch is a more durable stitch, but do I need it for every sewing project, or when is it good practice to swap between the two? I've seen videos of people using both for the same type of projects, but is it a good thing or a bad, lazy thing? how do you know when to alternate? or if that's even wise? I bought this to save my fingers, but its hard to break away from hand stitching, with the worry that my product might fall apart. Am I crazy to think this? Please know that I understand (why buy if you don't need it?) , but I purchased this because I had the money. I didn't want to have to buy one down the road if I didn't have the money... Quote Proverbs 90:17 17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. NKJ Singer 15/31, Cobra 4, Tacsew T111, and Walmart $80 Singer thingy
DarkGoku Posted February 13, 2015 Author Report Posted February 13, 2015 I do want to say that this thread has been very helpful, and I respect each and everyone's opinion. Everyone here really knows their craft, and every time I get advice, I feel the drive to jump in and try it out:) Thank you again:) Quote Proverbs 90:17 17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. NKJ Singer 15/31, Cobra 4, Tacsew T111, and Walmart $80 Singer thingy
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted February 13, 2015 Contributing Member Report Posted February 13, 2015 If you're using the machine like it should be used, I wouldn't worry about projects coming apart. I make belts (among other stuff). I stitch the edges. Strength isn't really an issue at all - more than one layer gets glued together with glue so strong the stitch is basically decorative (find me that guy says he can pull it apart before stitching). Don't throw out the awl and harness needles, though -- you may find there are projects requiring sewing which can't be stuck in the machine. And, sometimes, you may find that while your project "could" be done in the machine, the things you would need to do to get it there aren't worth the time. I mean, if you have 5 projects that would require different settings, you change the settings, stitch what you need to, then put the settings back. But, if you have ONE project that would require changes, perhaps you just saddle stitch that one? I have a couple of projects I make that simply aren't going to work in the machines. Perhaps in SOME machine, but not mine... Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
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