flattening thread

[OLDNSLOW]

Not sure if this should be somewhere else on the site, I generally create a channel on the front of an item I am sewing without removing leather for the thread to lay in,  but don't do so on the backsides of the item.  What is it that Y'all do to flatten the threads on the backside?  I am figuring to use a very still piece of plastic or the wood handle of a tool.  But I thought I would check with some of Y'all to find out what you use, and does it work to your liking?

Thanks

O n S

Ron

[Mattsbagger]

I use Tiger but I tap down stitching with a hammer. Hand sewing and pull tight. Don't use a Grove usually just a line. Not sure if that's what your looking for or naw.

[Mattsbagger]

Also have seen videos of people using a bone folder on hand and machine stitching. 

[OLDNSLOW]

well sort of I generally machine stitch but would like to flatten the thread, I watched a video today and the guy used what looked like some think plastic to smooth out his machine stitches and it looked good.

[Mattsbagger]

Probably a bone folder or a piece of Lexan.

[zuludog]

Bash the stitching down with a hammer or burnish it with something like the back of a spoon or a rounded plastic screwdriver handle, but clean any dirt or grease off it first

I made a flat burnisher/slicker from a broken axe haft easily enough. Copied the style from illustrations on The Net, including Goods Japan

Edited January 14, 2017 by zuludog

[OLDNSLOW]

I looked around a harbor freight for a set of automotive body work hammers I thought they sold them in a kit, the hammer in the kit has a very round and flat head on that I think might work perfect, I guess I will have to go back and look again. 

[bikermutt07]

The leather hammers have a slightly convex shape to them. I'm sure any light weight hammer could be shaped a little and work fine.

You could probably just tap them down with an edger handle. Or use a rolling pin.

Edited January 14, 2017 by bikermutt07

[JLSleather]

I'm always surprised at the number of people willing to hammer the stitching. Then the same people go on about recessing the stitching to protect it!

I usually machine stitch, and really the only "flattening" needed is maybe when the holes begin to 'blow out' a bit in the back side, which is usually quickly cured with a new needle..

 

[bikermutt07]

32 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

I'm always surprised at the number of people willing to hammer the stitching. Then the same people go on about recessing the stitching to protect it!

I usually machine stitch, and really the only "flattening" needed is maybe when the holes begin to 'blow out' a bit in the back side, which is usually quickly cured with a new needle..

 

We're not beating it with a 2 pound sledge. A few light taps makes for a cleaner look. And I never carry on about recessed thread. So nanner nanner nanner.

[OLDNSLOW]

well ok then

[CaptQuirk]

Maybe one of those light weight wood hammers that Tandy sells for about $3, and glue a piece of leather on the face to protect your project?

[OLDNSLOW]

I have one of the plastic hammers er uh what everit is made out of, one of the yellow ones that I could use.

[Sonydaze]

To smooth the backside of my machine sewn stitches,  I have a scrap piece of sole bend that I put over the stitches and hammer on.  The sole bend is hard enough to flatten the stitches and prevents marking the leather with the hammer. 

[OLDNSLOW]

Thank You