End knots

[Googledave]

im A total hobbyist beginner and I’m making a bag for my wife from some leather. I was wondering what do you do with the ends..... I guess I mean how do hide the knots? I have a machine with reverse stitch, I always tie the ends, do I need to? Or am I overdoing it? I’d like it to look nice for her and having a bit of a time hiding the knots on the finished piece. Thanks

[fredk]

On hand stitching I go back over the stitches, using the same holes. I go back about 3 stitches. This locks the thread, then I cut it off neat to the leather surface and rub in a wee bit of wax.  I think the same can be done with machine stitching.

[Northmount]

You can back stitch with the machine, or you can cut the tails long and back stitch manually using the saddle stitch method.  If you are using leather point needles in your machine, the chisel points may shred the thread if you back stitch on the machine.

Otherwise, as above.  Fredk is a good resource for information.

Tom

 

[Handstitched]

Also, once I have cut the thread off ( machine or hand)  , I get a cigarette lighter and ever so  carefully burn the ' tail '   thats left behind, just  close enough to shrink the ' tail'  being careful not to burn the work .  Just a thought  

HS