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Posted

It seems that the experts and aficionados often vehemently insist upon an angle to a saddle stitch. Yes, it makes it easier to tell hand stitching from machine stitching, but-

Forgive my amateur eye and possibly "plebeian" taste, but my eye is only "offended" if stitching is uneven in some way, either in line or tension, or visible(too big) holes, or too much "puckering" from tension. 
Why is the angle of the stitch such a point of contention for leather crafters? What is it that makes folks insist that the angled stitch looks better?
Yes, I've finally figured out how to do either look, finding also that a stitch groove will force-flatten the stitch, etc.

...just an amateur, scratching his head on this one. Would love to hear the "why" behind this one, where it started, and why angled stitches are seemingly accepted as "correct" or "superior".
 

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Posted

Correct is subjective.

I love the look of the angled stitch myself.

I think it looks classy.

Is it stronger? I don't think so...

You can make your stitches as straight A's you want. I won't mind.

I'm not paying 80 bucks for a belt!!! It's a strip of leather. How hard could it be? 4 years and 3 grand later.... I have a belt I can finally live with.

Stitching is like gravy, it's only great if you make it every day.

From Texas but in Bossier City, Louisiana.

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Posted
1 minute ago, bikermutt07 said:

Correct is subjective.

I love the look of the angled stitch myself.

I think it looks classy.

Is it stronger? I don't think so...

You can make your stitches as straight A's you want. I won't mind.

Agree 100% - I'll do the slant for aesthetics, but don't mind a straight stitch for something "utilitarian". I was just curious as to what others think ;) Thanks.

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Posted

The angle of the hole; in hand stitching the hole is made with a diamond shaped awl blade or triangular needle. If you align the points of the diamond on each hole, when you pull the thread tight, it will cut thru the leather, thus the holes are made at an angle so the flat faces of the diamond are nearest each other, this gives the leather between stitches greater strength. Then when you sew each thread should go in and wrap around that stronger part.

Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..

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Posted

My stitches are straight.  Every time.  I guess I would do that angled thing, but that would require additional payment and a signed release from the buyer stating that the angled thing was THEIR choice and request.  I also don't have frills on my underpants, so ....

Far as I'm concerned, anything detracting from STRAIGHT stitching is a FLAW.

JLS  "Observation is 9/10 of the law."

IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.

5 leather patterns

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Posted
3 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

I also don't have frills on my underpants, so ....

Well DAMN!  Here I had you all figured for a frilly underwear guy!  Now I gotta redo that whole mental picture of what you look like:lol:

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Posted
43 minutes ago, Big Sioux Saddlery said:

Well DAMN!  Here I had you all figured for a frilly underwear guy! 

Yeah, it's likely my sensitive disposition :blush:  Good to hear from ya, though ;)

 

JLS  "Observation is 9/10 of the law."

IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.

5 leather patterns

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Posted (edited)

Pulled this straight from JLS's cutesy page, under the "My Bio" section.

9b7bb662-1f2a-4bb3-8256-75790de005e4_1.a

 

 

I thought that the slants were for strength as well and I also thought, for whatever reason, maybe I heard/read it somehwere, that the slant is "English Saddle Stitching". You actually perform the stitch with a pinky lifted in the air ;)

 

Edited by battlemunky
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Posted

Oh, you guys is a barrel o' fun today :whistle:  Besides, that's a old pic.

 

JLS  "Observation is 9/10 of the law."

IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.

5 leather patterns

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Posted

As Fred k mentioned,angled holes are a result of the awesome I blade shape and need for an angled hole. Both styles are " correct"  

If you like the straight look useing round holes makes it easy

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