Leather stitching

[berserkbishop]

Ok, this is just basically a survey for anyone who does leatherwork on this forum. I dont care whether you sell your goods or you just do it for your own enjoyment. anyone feel free to respond. As I sit here at work, passing the time doing some hand stitching on a leather bandanna, I wonder how many of you hand stitch? If you dont hand stitch what machines do you use? I know that right now I cant afford a machine that can handle leather so hand stitching is all ive got, and the more i do it, the more i actaully enjoy it. Ok, leather craftsmen, what methods do you employ?

Bishop

[turpin]

Hand stitching, primarily using a saddle stitch. It gives a very finished look.

[Howard Clark]

I always hand stitch leather. I do have a couple of things that I made that are machine sewn, but I had to farm that (the sewing) out, as I do not have a machine that will handle it.

[cavscout]

Hand stitching. I know what you mean by it being enjoyable. Basic, repetitive tasks like this can very often be relaxing. I was the same way with ironing in the military.

[kevinkinney]

Howdy,

We machine stitch about 35 hides worth of Bison and Elk per year. All our equipment is industrial. We simply change needles and thread to match the purpose.

For my personal gear, I usually use one ordinary straight stitch tailoring machine that's the equivalent of a heavy home machine. I hand punch the decorative or delicate portions with an awl, then thread it with chisel point leather needle and pliers.

For load bearing elements I'll use a heavier needle and thread, along with rivets to secure. On luggage, footwear, and hand wear the big machines are the way to go for us- the consistent thread tension, even spacing, and speed are great...but then we've had to work up to that over time. The results are what you might expect from the investment, but I recall having more fun learning to do it by hand.



Here's my traveling office, and the lower assembly from one of our boots. They were both done with a post-bed machine, heavy thread, and much patience.

Cheers,

Kevin.

[Bugbear]

I only hand stich leather, and I usually punch with an awl first, but sometimes use a chizel. Usually use waxed linen thread, or leather string stuff, I can't think of what it's called this early in the morning. Sometimes if the stiches will be turned on the inside, I use fishing line with that stich that goes back over the edge and through again, I can't think of that name either, te he.

[Tartan Hiker]

Double-needle saddle stitching for me, with an awl and 5 or 6 strand waxed linen thread. Learned stitching from the Al Stohlman book from Tandy. That little paperback, "How to Hand Stitch Leather" is a fabulous beginner's bible.

I have used my old Singer for stitching thin leather, and am in the middle of a new sporran that will incorporate both hand and machine work. I prefer hand stitching for the control and the good feeling I get when the project is finished. I don't enjoy the sore fingers, however.

[Bugbear]

Double-needle saddle stitching is really the best way to go, at least with linen thread.

[Joe Gondek]

Hand stiching.
double needle saddle stitch mostly with a few others that I use when needed.
waxed linen thread.

Its relaxing and you can hand sew stuff while watching TV

[PiobBear]

All hand stitching, with a sailmaker's palm, needles, & thread.