Machine Stitching - Need Tips On Finishing A Seam

[leatherchica]

I'm used to hand stitching my items but have just gotten a sewing machine to help me on certain items. I'm having trouble consistently finishing the seams. See attached picture. I am back stitching 2-3 stitches at the beginning and end of each run but sometimes, when I snip off the thread, it unravels a stitch and leaves me with what you see in the picture. How can I avoid this? What am I doing wrong?

Edited January 16, 2016 by leatherchica

[Northmount]

Pull both threads through to the back. If the back is normally not visible, I put a drop of super glue on it, and cut close. Some tie the thread on the back, some melt it with a hot iron, or a lighter flame.

I've started leaving the threads long at the start and finish, then using the saddle stitch to back stitch. Works a little nicer IMO.

Also nice if you can hide the threads between layers.

Tom

[25b]

I'm having trouble consistently finishing the seams. See attached picture.

No pics attached.

I am back stitching 2-3 stitches at the beginning and end of each run but sometimes, when I snip off the thread, it unravels a stitch and leaves me with what you see in the picture. How can I avoid this?

Go back to hand stitching...machine stitching is going to do this...

What am I doing wrong?

Only thing you can try is carefully searing the ends with a lighter to melt them in place...or so.e people recommend glue, but I don't do that...

Or you can pull the last stich to the back side so both threads are there and tie a knot. I think it looks bad so I don't do that either.

Edited January 16, 2016 by 25b

[leatherchica]

25b - Sorry. I've editing original post to include the picture.

Trust me, if I could continue hand stitching everything, I would. Unfortunately, years of hand stitching has gotten the best of me. I was doing a minimum of 3-4 hours of hand stitching everyday and I just can't physically continue at that pace. On several of my items , the stitching from both sides is visible so tying a knot on the backside isn't a viable option. If I'm understanding correctly, I cannot simply cut the thread flush to the last stitch because it will inevitably unravel. Best bet seems to be searing ends to melt them in place and/or manually pulling the thread in between the layers of leather and tying it off there. *sigh*

[25b]

Yep. That's correct.

If your items are in high enough demand, you might consider raising your prices to allow you to continue to hand stitch at maybe a little more relaxed pace? Just an idea...if you can't do it, then you can't do it. I'm just so disgusted by my Cowboy 3200 bottom stitching appearance that I've just been continuing to hand stitch lately.

[Gregspitz]

back stitch and use thread Zap 2 ( google it to find them) to seal the edges with controlled heat. it is cheap and its fun to do.

it works with a battery

[Uwe]

That thread ZAP 2 thing looks neat!

A soldering iron with an adjustable heat setting may work, too. I find a lighter hard to control, especially when I try to melt thread in a tight inside corner. With the lighter flame method, my white polyester thread occasionally turns an unsightly brown as it melts/burns, and my leather got burn marks on occasion as well.

Polyester thread melts at around 450ºF (230ºC). Most soldering irons are designed to melt soldering tin at 700º or more and leather will get burn marks at that temperature, too.

I bought this adjustable soldering iron to test with because it can be adjusted LOW enough to just melt but not burn polyester, but I haven't really had a chance to try it yet: