Hand Stitching Leather

[Dutchman Dick]

I hand-stitch with one needle, usually - through all the holes once, then back again to where I started. I use a small-tined, 4-prong chisel to punch the holes on long, straight seams and a single-prong chisel on sharper curves and corners. I normally use a groover so my stitches are flush with the surface of the leather.

[JD Alan]

PM sent

[cowboy316]

ok guys i was just lookin threw my tandy catalog and am lookin  at thread what is the best for hand stitching?

[cowboywc]

Howdy
I use the wax cotton / linnen on all my light work. For heavy stuff I use Weavers nylon.
WC

[ChuckBurrows]

IMO forget Tandy......
Linen Thread - 5 cord left or right hand twist is a good all purpose thread:
Campbell- Bosworth: http://campbell-bosworth.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=linen - I have not used the less expensive Hungarian thread myself but reports that I have received from others who have state that it just fine and costs half as much as the Barbour's.

[cowboy316]

Thank you  Chuck and WC you guys have been way helpfull and im loving the work you guys do it inspires me to get trying different things even tho i dont know what im doing LOL
             Cowboy316

[JD Alan]

Thanks for that info Chuck. Can you address the right-left twist issue, and why you would prefer one over the other? (Or someone else who might know)

Hey WC, what would you conisder light verses heavy in leatherwork?

Thanks to both of you busy pros, JD.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks for the link, Chuck. I ordered some of the Hungarian thread to see what it's like. I'll report back when I get it.

[cowboywc]

Hey WC, what would you conisder light verses heavy in leatherwork?

Thanks to both of you busy pros, JD.
[/quote]

Howdy
Wallets, checkbooks, notebooks, etc all get light thread. Holsters, sheaths, saddles and tack get the heavy.
WC

[ChuckBurrows]

JD - left hand and right hand are only appliable if the thread is bing used in a machine, for hand sewing either one. FWIW - I use 5 cord for my holsters and 3 cord for sewing the lining on belts, etc.

Will - I look forward to your opinion as I'm starting to get low on thread......

[JD Alan]

Chuck, WC, thanks to both of you!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I'm starting to get low on thread......

Exactly why I ordered some. Your post was very timely. I was wondering where to get some good thread since I'm down to just a few projects on the spool I have.

[santee]

Anyone use an awl manufactured by other than Osborne or Tandy?

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I use a Vergez Blanchard in addition to the Osborn and Tandy ones I have.

[cowboywc]

Howdy
I use an Osborne blade but I put it into an old Speedy Stitcher Haft. It is bigger and fits my hand better.
WC

[santee]

Okay, 'cause when the Osborne fixed blade snaps on you, you basically have to pitch the whole mess. Like the replacement blade idea.

[Flinch Morningwood]

Don't forget to run the thread thru some wax before you use it.   I actually use the wax/pine pitch mixture that Chuck suggested on a thread some time ago. 

Mixing it was an adventure but it works like a champ and keeps the threads locked and looking great...this is a quote from a post of his that describes the method.

For "waxing" I use a variation of the shoemakers "hand" wax - a mix of beeswax and rosin - I melt the two together in a 60/40 ratio of wax to rosin - to melt use an old crockpot or other flame less source for safety sake. Once combined I pour off, into used yogurt containers (about a 1/3 full) and let cool - once cool cut away the container and you have a perfectly sized "ball" to work with. Other makers I know who use a similar mix, pour it into a pot of cold water and work it into a ball as it cools. The rosin I use is "Brewers Pitch" from James Townsend and Sons http://www.jastown.com/bulk/bp-293.htm
The rosin not only makes the wax stickier so that the stitches lock tighter, but it along with the wax, add anti-bacterial/fungal benefits.

I poured it in cupcake tin with aluminium cupcake liners...I had to put them in hot water to seperate the "lumps" from the liners but now I have 12 balls that should last me years...

[cowboywc]

I poured it in cupcake tin with aluminium cupcake liners...I had to put them in hot water to seperate the "lumps" from the liners but now I have 12 balls that should last me years...
[/quote]

Howdy
To save money on the liners. Just pour into the cupcake tin and put the whole thing in the freezer.
When they are hard they will just fall out of the tin.
WC

[santee]

That's good info. Thanks.

[Trailrider]

Howdy, Pards,
I use Stewart's No. 150 Waxed Polyester thread (Coarse) for hand stitching (with a Speedy Stitcher*) the main seams of holsters and for sewing on buckle and tongue billets, etc. on belts.  For other things, such as cartridge loops on belts I use #207 Nylon thread on my Juki TSC 441 machine (basic machine Ferdco Super Bull), and #277 Nylon thread for sewing on holster belt loops, etc.  This stuff is unwaxed, but I run the thread wound on the bobbins through a cold wax bath as it is being wound on the bobbin.

*Note: For lighter stuff, I might use Stewart's #170 Fine Waxed Polyester thread in the Speedy Stitcher.  With the #150, I use a Landis machine hook needle (the eye in the point has the one side open), in a Speedy Stitcher handle.  With the Landis hook, I pre-drill the holes or punch them on the Juki with a needle and no thread, then push the hook through the holes, grab a loop, pull it back through the holes and push the other end of the thread through the loop thus formed.  You could also do "double needle" stitching with the hook...if you are careful not to catch the first thread through the hole.