How To Grip A Needle

[chapelstone]

I am hand stitching my first belt. I did fine with the diamond punch, doing fine with the awl, and the needles are even working good. My question is; it is getting tough to pull the needle through the hole. Is there any kind of rubber covers that will go over the finger tips to give me a better grip. It would not take much. I wiggle the awl to make the holes bigger but I don't want to make it much bigger. I just need a little help pulling the needle through and I am tired of using pliers.

[Black Dogg]

What size needle and awl are you using, chapelstone?

Normally, the awl will make a big enough hole for the needle and thread, without using pliers.

Also, the hole will shrink a bit once you're done sewing, so I wouldn't worry too much about it being too large.

I use size 000 needles (been told by a few people they are too large, but that's what works for me) and have no problem pulling them through with my bare fingers even on the return stitching at the end of the seam.

It might take a while to develop some strength in your fingers if you've never done this before, too.

Black Dogg

[Avgvstvs]

I use nitrile palm coated gloves. They are available at hardware stores (and pretty cheap, below the $5 mark). I look for a slick palm surface, with not too thick of a coating and get them real tight fitting.

I attached pictures of an unsured pair I have to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

One thing though, at first I kind of struggled with rotating the awl in hand because of the extra grip.

Other than that I didn't notice any loss in dexterity using them while sewing and am still working through my first pair (had them for a little less than a year).

This is what has worked best for me so far but I'm curious to hear what suggestions others might have.

Hope this helps.

[TwinOaks]

Just some plain disposable nitrile gloves (the blue ones) will improve your grip. I don't use 'leather needles', either. i punch the hole with an awl, then run the needles through. It's okay if you need to wallow the hole a little to get the needle through- that just means that the hole is going to close up nice and tight around the stitch.

[CrazedLemming]

I've found that I fight with the needle a LOT less if I'm careful how it's oriented to the awl hole. You can feel the orientation of the eye & thread with your fingers, and spinning the needle to line up better becomes automatic after a while.

[chapelstone]

Thanks, these are all good suggestions. I will give them a try.

[terrymac]

Get a pair of smooth jaw pliers, I use them all the time. When you get to the point you have to do some backstitching, pliers are the only way I can get the thread pulled. Watch some of Nigel Armitage's videos, he uses pliers extensively.

Hope this helps,

Terry

[snubbyfan]

I've got a degenerative peripheral motor nerve condition that causes weakness mainly in my right hand and wrist but also affects my left hand. I've found a technique that works for me when hand stitching holsters, belts and other stuff.

I've got a video on leather stitching on my YouTube Channel showing how I go about it.

Edited February 13, 2015 by snubbyfan

[electrathon]

I pull the needles with pliers all the time. Get tiny, smooth jw needle nose at the craft store. I can hold them in the palm of my hand while I am working.

[silverwingit]

Thanks to a suggestion from forum member Chuck Burrows (Wild Rose Trading Co.) I use secretary's rubber finger tips found at any office supply store. They work great to protect fingers and provide a positive grip on the needles.

Michelle

[Feraud]

I too find a small pair of smooth jawed pliers helpful with snug needles.

[slipangle]

I use a small pair of smooth-jawed pliers too. When I have to. But I wrap my thumb, index and middle finger tips in this stuff.

It's tacky, stretches and sticks to itself, and helps me grab the needle. Also protects the fingers. It is similar to the medical stuff in the pharmacy, but some is better than others. Look for the thick, very crinkly stuff. The thinner stuff doesn't work as well.

http://www.flexx-rap.com

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Snubby, did you say you were a degenerate? Me too LOL

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

I don't do much hand stitching any more, however; I still do some on certain parts of saddles, and; what works for me is, I get some bee's wax on my hands, especially on my "pulling fingers", that helps me get a grip on things. Like Snubby I am degenerated too.

Bob

[snubbyfan]

Snubby, did you say you were a degenerate? Me too LOL

This forum needs a "like" button.

[ramrod]

i use beeswak like bondobob. just a pinch and it will make your fingers real tacky. ]

you can also look into using finger cots - those rubber finger thingies that watchmakers use to assemble watches.

[robbied]

I to am a wax subscriber, a little off the thread and the grip on the needles is much better. Pliers definitely save the day when backstitching.

[Boriqua]

The part that is usually the sticking point is the fold in the thread at the eye of the needle. If you shave down your thread like suggested in the Stohlmann Hand stitching book it makes life alot easier. I use a Sz 0 harness needles. Listen to what Crazedlemming wrote too. I have been trying to ingrain this in my movement and it makes a huge difference. Lastly if you really need a little extra uumph like when sewing through really thick leather the Rubber finger tips work great and I paid 3 bucks for a box of 12 at officemax. I place one on the right thumb when I sew up a sheath with multiple layers and it works great. Sewing up a holster with 2 layers of 8-9 oz though I go naked and so long as I shave the thread I am good to go.