Quick Tip: Finishing off Your Saddle Stitching

[@madjanx]

When I use linen thread, such as Lin Cable, I leave the ends on the backside a little bit longer, then I dip the tip of my awl in some glue and push the glue through from the front. Once I'm sure a good bond has been achieved, I snip off the excess on the back side.

[@alphanumeric1529]

I was just going to ask Ian how he terminates linen thread. But here is your comment, thanks very much. What type of glue do you use for this purpose? Thanks!

[@scoutrifle6827]

Your videos are always extremely well-presented, and have helped my leather-working hobby a great deal; thank you, Ian.

[@ChadForquer]

I second that. Love the short videos that show you a specific step.

[@Leodis.Leather]

Here's a quick video on finishing stitching runs, a few people have asked me for this recently so hopefully it's of use to someone!

[@darronjknight]

cheers

[@vicky200456]

Ian Atkinson hi Am i correct. Only Saddle Stitch with knot can make "WAVE" on both side (front and back)? I tried the Saddle Stitch without knot in 2.4mm leather. It will be show the WAVE on front side. On the back side, i found the straight line(almost)

[@djeanmath]

Simple and clear tutorial, as always! I found a little drop of superglue (using a needle) works wonder to finish linen thread. Apparently Hermes uses the same trick!

[@Leodis.Leather]

+Jean Dulck If it's good enough for Hermes it should be a good tip! Sounds like a drop of glue is favoured by a few people for finishing linen, sounds like the best way :)

[@sdgardner1954]

I am not sure you covered this, but whenever I start saddle stitching an item I start one or two stiches before the end and backstitch to the end before I go around the item. This gives you 2 threads through the first hole, rather than 1 thread, and 3 or 4 threads through the second hole. You may have mentioned this in an early video

[@orion7741]

if you are doing your saddle stitching correctly there is NO need for any backstitching at all. plus it makes no sense at all to start off with a backstitch. its not a sewing machine where the threads are open on each end of the stitching. with saddle stitching the start of the stitching is completely closed because it is the same piece of thread so no reason at all for backstitching. and when ending your stitching, you can create a "locking stitch" on the last one and that will lock the threads in place so that they will never come un done. thus eliminating any need for backstitching.

[@Leodis.Leather]

It makes sense in cases where the start of the stitching run is also a point of stress such as the opening of a bag

[@philc2604]

Just discovered your videos recently Ian, superbly explained, great for a beginner like me.. thanks

[@sopatisserie1282]

Waouh another excellent video. I think I will spend my weekend watching your videos! Thanks

[@daveminnich8321]

Cheers Ian, I've been struggling with finishing up my stitching.

[@ellamarie2258]

Have you done any videos on how to finish off edges with burnishing...i have the Edgeflex by Eco flow, but its not turning out. Thank you so much. Your work is amazing.

[@whitneybai6299]

Thanks for great videos always. I'm wondering if you could do a video on sharpening your leather knives. Thanks.

[@thegreenlandfisheryproject6843]

An excellent tutorial on an essential detail. Thank you, it’s helped me a lot. I know this is a few years off the mark, but… where’d you get that nice ‘coscraft’? Clip? And, in the last scene, what’s the mottled board work-surface thing you’re using, please?

[@stevenholsenback5382]

Ian, I really enjoy your channel. Are you using an awl after your pricking irons? If not, then what irons are you using with your .02 needles? I’d like to clean up my lines and get rid of using an awl. Also, any tricks for pricking a curved corner after you’ve done a side. With the curve it is impossible to get the edge flat enough to run a good line with my iron. (I’m making a lined messenger bag with an exposed seam.) Cheers mate, Steven

[@joshhollinshead2190]

Hey Ian I was wondering - how do you flatten the flesg side of leather? if that makes any sense. ive watched multiple videos of yours now (which are brill) and what ive picked up is that Carb creme and resoline is the way to go but is there an unsung hero which can sort out my problem?

[@stanhegeman8751]

In my 40 years of leathercrafting, I have found the sandpaper on a powered drill in a vise to be quite effective when the leather being sanded is backed up with something stiff

[@jordansteggerda6897]

I know this is an old video but what size thread do you use? I’ve been using 69 but I think that it may be too thin

[@asih2525]

Oh i need this stitching information thank you

[@braccorisan8274]

where can I get natural horse hide like that? I love the look of it :)

[@cbizkit84s61]

EXACTLY what I wanted to know. Thank you! Cheers 🍻

[@TonyThian]

Would it be easier to turn the leather around and do it normally, rather than everything opposite?

[@Leodis.Leather]

If you turn it around then the holes would be slanted in the opposite direction so you still wouldn’t be stitching normally

[@othala7540]

'When i finish stitching end i clip the ends of even after burning the tread can easily get pulled out. I dont get this i did watch muliptple videos but everytime this happpens. Only when i put a knot in it at the back than this wil not happen

[@stevehuffman7453]

I backstich 2.5 or 3.5 stitches (both ends of the thread on the back) tie a square or double hitch knot, cut close to the peice, then hit the tag ends with a lit lighter. To date, no problems. EDIT: All my thread is nylon imitation sineu.

[@reyboy4284]

Where did you get your makers mark stamp made? I've been trying to get one but I'm in college so prices are a big factor lol

[@Leodis.Leather]

+Rey Muniz there's a whole video on my channel about them.

[@DanilShows]

Hello Friend! Where can I learn this skill????

[@Leksuttaja149]

Danil Show This is a bit Late, but he has Many videos were he teaches the saddle stich (assuming you mean that)

[@scud69er]

Great explanation! A really good tutorial video!

[@malcolmmazon]

Hello Sir! is there any chance you'll make a leather shoes?

[@Leodis.Leather]

+malcolm mazon It's highly unlikely!

[@SJ-dn8dn]

great detail and specific guidance......thank you!

[@curioushooter]

When I saddle stitch I tile a knot and bury it between the pieces of leather. I don't trust back stitching.

[@howlingwulvi]

Me too! I also leave part of the thread after the knot and weave it through the stitches between the pieces of leather. Works perfectly!

[@BeWoLeKs]

Nice pouch for the old style swiss army knife.

[@JHuff276]

When using a natural thread that can't be melted, an alternative to trimming it very close is to leave a tiny bit and fray the tips. This leaves a fuzzy burr, of sorts, that can serve as the "peened" top. I only use synthetics, so I don't know how well this works. I've only read about it.

[@Leodis.Leather]

+JHuff276 casting my mind back when I used the linen I sometimes used to cut a little shaving of beeswax off the block and poke that into the back of the hole and melt it down to help seal in the thread tail. I think that used to work pretty well! I don't think I've used any linen for about 5 or 6 years now though.

[@151manasa]

what size thread are you using? is it a Ritza?

[@deltajohnny]

Awesome vídeo, as always! I am sure that it will help me a lot with my saddle stitches, as finishing them had always been my main worry. With these advices, I'm sure that they will improve really a lot:-)

[@johngalv9288]

Hi Ian, good video! I've been wondering how you feel about machine stitching (sewing)? I know there is no comparison but do you use machine for any of your work? thanks.

[@Leodis.Leather]

+John Galv I don’t own a leather sewing machine

[@DeanO]

great tips Ian

[@parkerbenz]

Is it weird that I stitch AWAY from me? I tried to stitch the opposite way and It did not work out...

[@Leodis.Leather]

+parker benz no if that works for you and you're achieving the right look that's fine, some people prefer it that way

[@richardhatt6541]

I stitch the same way, going away.

[@pgreenx]

Why doesn’t he use linen. I thought Lin cable was excellent?

[@Leodis.Leather]

I do use linen sometimes.

[@05mcparker]

Gold Standard as Usual.... Still waiting on a Cowboy Holster Build along.........

[@Leodis.Leather]

+05mcparker you're going to see me make a holster but it won't be a build-along, different guns need different sizes and the build alongs rely on standard printable patterns. Plus it's really not my area of expertise and will be for a bit of fun only!

[@05mcparker]

+Ian Atkinson I cant wait...

[@INS1977]

Sometimes big problem.. End hole... Different distance...how to fix this in cucved form? Mathematic not helps...

[@joshpuskarich7864]

Thank you!

[@PandaKnivesRo]

Thanks mate! Nice info. ;)

[@David-ed5is]

well i didnt know their is a order of which needle to use that explains why my work is flimsy. thank you sir

[@David-ed5is]

thats ironic i got up to get supplies to clean my knife and my flashlight pouch's seams ripped because i didnt do this well at least i learned . thanks

[@glenpaul3606]

A stitch on the outside would look tacky and wear and break quickly from being rubbed. Back stitching looks neater and would be stronger.

[@rantallion5032]

nice - thanks -

[@stevedoe3994]

To bad you can't actually see what your doing.