800 stitches with one piece of thread?

[viktor]

I have seen many leatherwork sites that say their belts have 500,600 or even 800 stitches. I know that is possible but do those makers do it with one continuous piece of thread or with a number of threads. If with only one, how not to have those spots of melted polyester if I use Ritza or similar?

[AndersenLeather]

They use a number of threads... unless the use a sewing machine

Edited February 23, 2018 by jonasbo

[viktor]

NYeah, I guess I had that coming but how do you seamlessly make that switch from one thread to the second thread?

[Mattsbagger]

When your thread runs out or breaks you start again 5 stitches back and overstitch where you stopped. Trim the ended/broken stitch. Make sense? Am Stohlman has instructions in his how to hand sew book.

[Nuttish]

Leave enough thread to tie a lose granny knot over the top of your piece. Count back 3-5 stitches. Start a new thread and stitch over those 3-5 stitches. No need to backstitch. Rinse. Repeat. Trim tag ends of threads. Finished.

[viktor]

Thank you guys, very helpful. In your opinion, does the double stitching affect the aesthetics of the final product if they are placed in the middle of a belt?

[alpha2]

It is visible. But, what're ya gonna do? My first belt I used two lengths of thread, since then, I've fought the beast and have done it with one thread. Then...I got a machine! My old bod and arthritic hands just can't take it anymore. 

[Richardrn80]

If you sew by hand, you can do it with one thread using the saddle stitch. It takes time and a lot of patients, and the right tools. I sewed a briefcase completely by hand. Every seam was one thread. It took almost 2 and a half months, but that was while working 48 hours a week too. If you want to know more, PM me and I can give more details.

 

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sorry. the pics didn't work

[billybopp]

If you're using linen thread, you can run into some problems with really long runs as the thread will wear a bit with each stitch that you pull through and eventually will get ragged and break. 

With poly thread, such as Ritza, that's not a problem and you can do very long runs with a couple of caveats.  The thread will wear a little bit around the knots where attached to the needles making it a bit harder to pull through the holes.  To deal with that, just make your thread a couple of feet longer and re-thread the needle when it gets raggedy.  Lighter colored thread can also pick up dye and dirt as you go along and start to look a little dingy, but that's not a problem with darker colors.  

Probably the hardest thing to deal with on really long runs is when the thread gets tangled and knotted.  For that, it just takes a little extra time and care.  Watch the thread as you pull it through and look for tangles and knots.  They're not all that hard to deal with before they are pulled tight, but a real pain after!  Taking a little care to keep your thread separated on each side of your work can help prevent the nastiest knots.  It's also a good idea to keep your work area very clean where the thread lies on the floor or work surface to keep it from getting dingy.

I've done several belts and guitar straps in a single run with poly, so it can certainly be done.

Hope that helps!

- Bill 

[Mattsbagger]

12 minutes ago, billybopp said:

If you're using linen thread, you can run into some problems with really long runs as the thread will wear a bit with each stitch that you pull through and eventually will get ragged and break. 

With poly thread, such as Ritza, that's not a problem and you can do very long runs with a couple of caveats.  The thread will wear a little bit around the knots where attached to the needles making it a bit harder to pull through the holes.  To deal with that, just make your thread a couple of feet longer and re-thread the needle when it gets raggedy.  Lighter colored thread can also pick up dye and dirt as you go along and start to look a little dingy, but that's not a problem with darker colors.  

Probably the hardest thing to deal with on really long runs is when the thread gets tangled and knotted.  For that, it just takes a little extra time and care.  Watch the thread as you pull it through and look for tangles and knots.  They're not all that hard to deal with before they are pulled tight, but a real pain after!  Taking a little care to keep your thread separated on each side of your work can help prevent the nastiest knots.  It's also a good idea to keep your work area very clean where the thread lies on the floor or work surface to keep it from getting dingy.

I've done several belts and guitar straps in a single run with poly, so it can certainly be done.

Hope that helps!

- Bill 

Yep. My leather cave is carpeted. Has the family calls it. On long runs it will pick up fuzz. Which shows up on my white and cream thread.