Stitch TPI vs threadsize

[DirtyDusty]

Is there a reference available to sort out the thread size with TPI?  I am gathering tools to start my first saddle build and can’t find any reference as to what TPI most hand stitching Is done in. I think I have seen where some recommend. .8 or 1.0mm thread for hand stitching on saddles.  Is that correct?  What size chisels or prong would you use for starting your layout, if you went the route?

[Tugadude]

4 hours ago, DirtyDusty said:

Is there a reference available to sort out the thread size with TPI?  I am gathering tools to start my first saddle build and can’t find any reference as to what TPI most hand stitching Is done in. I think I have seen where some recommend. .8 or 1.0mm thread for hand stitching on saddles.  Is that correct?  What size chisels or prong would you use for starting your layout, if you went the route?

You can find a lot of that information in Nigel Armitage's reviews on pricking irons and stitching chisels.  Fo to Armitageleather.com and look  for the reviews.  They used to be in a tab on education or something like that.  You will find the iron reviewed along with recommended thread size.  He matches up the spacing of the iron or SPI and the appropriate thread.

[Hardrada]

Here, with examples: Thread and SPI's

Also, I'd head over to Rocky Mountain Leather Supply and order their sample cards:

Tiger Thread samples

Fil au Chinois samples

These cards come with all the colours available and, most importantly, samples of the different thicknesses they're offered in.

Edited January 20, 2020 by Hardrada

[Zonker1972]

scroll about halfway down.

https://www.ianatkinson.net/leather/leatherguide.htm

zonker

[wizard of tragacanth]

6 or 7 spi with 0.8 or 1.0 mm thread works well for holsters but I don't know if that is appropriate for saddles... or not?

I would hope to get a saddle maker's thoughts on this, to be sure.

nick

[Goldshot Ron]

Dusty,

Are you building a western saddle or English style?  Do you want to be a traditionalist maker or innovative?  Traditional western saddle makers use an awl with a diamond shaped blade for making the stitching holes and waxed hand stitching thread.  Tools you will need: a stitch line groover,  an overstitch wheel  (I use a 6 spi but some use 7 or 8 spi).  The type of thread used traditionally is linen (6 cords), but I use 5 cord polyester.  If using a machine, I use 346 with 277 bobbin nylon.  Everyone does things differently, but I wouldn't recommend using chisels for sewing a saddle.  Easy stitchers (a brand name) could be used, but the thread they use is too light for a saddle (I believe it's thread is 3 cord lightly waxed).  Building a saddle is exciting, nerve racking, enjoyable, and frustrating.  Hope this helps some.  There are plenty more saddle makers here to help you along.

Ron

[DirtyDusty]

On 1/20/2020 at 4:44 PM, Goldshot Ron said:

Dusty,

Are you building a western saddle or English style?  Do you want to be a traditionalist maker or innovative?  Traditional western saddle makers use an awl with a diamond shaped blade for making the stitching holes and waxed hand stitching thread.  Tools you will need: a stitch line groover,  an overstitch wheel  (I use a 6 spi but some use 7 or 8 spi).  The type of thread used traditionally is linen (6 cords), but I use 5 cord polyester.  If using a machine, I use 346 with 277 bobbin nylon.  Everyone does things differently, but I wouldn't recommend using chisels for sewing a saddle.  Easy stitchers (a brand name) could be used, but the thread they use is too light for a saddle (I believe it's thread is 3 cord lightly waxed).  Building a saddle is exciting, nerve racking, enjoyable, and frustrating.  Hope this helps some.  There are plenty more saddle makers here to help you along.

Ron

I am looking at doing a wade western saddle, for my mule. Figure I would start a few small projects before tackling that one. 

[JLSleather]

On 1/20/2020 at 4:44 PM, Goldshot Ron said:

Tools you will need: a stitch line groover,  an overstitch wheel  (I use a 6 spi but some use 7 or 8 spi).  The type of thread used traditionally is linen (6 cords), but I use 5 cord polyester.  If using a machine, I use 346 with 277 bobbin nylon. ...I wouldn't recommend using chisels for sewing a saddle...

PHEW!  I was really hoping a saddle maker was going to get in here.  I like to at least view information I may be able to use, even if it wasn't my question, and I sure didn't want to hear SADDLE "information" from y-tubers who don't make saddles

[blue62]

On 1/20/2020 at 4:44 PM, Goldshot Ron said:

Traditional western saddle makers use an awl with a diamond shaped blade for making the stitching holes and waxed hand stitching thread.  Tools you will need: a stitch line groover,  an overstitch wheel  (I use a 6 spi but some use 7 or 8 spi).  The type of thread used traditionally is linen (6 cords), but I use 5 cord polyester.  If using a machine, I use 346 with 277 bobbin nylon.  Everyone does things differently, but I wouldn't recommend using chisels for sewing a saddle.  

This is the same as what I would recommend, but he should try the chisels so he can learn WHY they don't work well for a western saddle, as far as spi, it's whatever looks right on the saddle, big long heavy saddle, longer stiches, small petite saddle, shorter stiches, look at lots of different saddles to get a idea of what looks right.

 

And remember the Masters have the biggest garbage cans

 

[rktaylor]

I would suggest no more than 6 spi for your first effort.  However, I wouldn't go wider than 5 spi. You're taking about a lot of sewing. I can't even imagine using chisels. A cantle binding will be more than a half inch thick. I use thread similar to Goldshot.

Randy