hand stitching, thread breaking

[buckarooTB]

hello, just wanting to see what all your ideas are on keeping your thread from breaking from accidentally piercing it with the second needle. Hope that you can get what I am meaning. I am using prewaxed thread with big, extremely, sharp CS Osborne glovers needles. I am sewing up a cantle binding and getting really frustrated. anyone got any ideas? Thank you 

[clivel]

I am a complete beginner so take what I say with a pinch of salt.
I was also having problems with piercing the thread with the second needle until I followed the advice given by Al Stohlman in his sewing book of simultaneously pulling the first thread with the left hand while sliding the second needle through with the right hand. For a better description, please refer to step 11 on page 11 of his book if you have it handy. 
Clive

 

[grumpyold]

Switch to saddle needles and use an awl if your not already, plus what Clive said above.

[buckarooTB]

Ok, I use a awl. Mr. Grumpyold, what is the difference between the 2 types of needles? And thanks Clive, that was a good reminder. It helped

Edited February 16, 2017 by buckarooTB

[Northmount]

Glovers needles are triangular point, harness needles are round point.  The triangular shape has sharp edges and that is what is cutting your thread when doing saddle stitching with them.  Get harness needles.

Tom

[buckarooTB]

ok, that makes a lot of sense. thanks everyone!

[LeatherBeast]

@buckarooTB I agree! When using the saddlers needles, you're also less likely to stab your fingers while sewing too because of the round tip, which is a nice side benefit.

 

LeatherBeast

Edited February 20, 2017 by LeatherBeast

[alpha2]

Also, try pulling the thread down, and inserting the needle at the top of the hole, or pull thread up and insert second needle at bottom of hole...while pulling thread back through hole a bit during insertion, as mentioned above.

[Mattsbagger]

10 hours ago, alpha2 said:

Also, try pulling the thread down, and inserting the needle at the top of the hole, or pull thread up and insert second needle at bottom of hole...while pulling thread back through hole a bit during insertion, as mentioned above.

It matters top or bottom depending on whether your stitching left handed or right handed. Have to do it the EXACT same way every time or stitches go wonky.lol  Ian Atkinson (Leodis Leather) and Nigil Admiridge both have great stitching videos.

Edited February 21, 2017 by Mattsbagger

[Tugadude]

Nigel Armitage covers all of the bases on saddle stitching plus his videos are fun to watch (for me at least).