What thread should I use? // Leather Craft 101 // EP03 Threads for handstitching leather

[@jamesmacleod8388]

Your vids are very information dense, so the first time I watched this I didn't get most of what you were talking about, but it is a great reference to come back to once I had more options than just what came in my starter kit. (Which also boosts your viewing numbers!) The fact the vid is chaptered also makes it a lot easier to find what I need. I have just been through a bunch of your older vids (I had tools to sharpen) and can see that the production and your on screen confidence has grown over time, and I really like it when I can see channels that have evolved and come into their own, so well done on the hard work!

[@JHLeather]

Thanks James! Glad the videos have helped you 👍 Yes, when I look back on my first videos it is clear I have come a long way 😂 It all comes down to practice whatever the craft 👍

[@mechminded2207]

My early career was very much in the textile industry - when I was learning about fibre, yarn, threads, woven, nonwoven etc - the history as to why we have such peculiar measurements and specifications in textiles was fascinating, and reminds me that we people are odd.

[@mezmerism107]

Elaborate with example please I really interested in this!

[@jnhhhhhhhh]

I gave up on linen thread. I like the look really thin (0.35 to 0.45mm) thread provides for my wallets. I also like to think that the items I make can last decades, if cared for properly. One of the ways to make sure of that is to pull the thread rather tightly when stitching. I tried that with linen thread and was just snapping it. I did some experiments with linen vs polyester thread - after stitching a pocket, I tried tearing it apart. With polyester it's pretty much impossible. Linen doesn't put up much of a fight. I love Tiger or Slam thread, but as they don't come lower than .6mm, I now usually use the Amy Roke polyester threads. Still use Slam for bags.

[@richardanderson4916]

I keep learning so much from you! I have been wondering about thread types and sizes as i am new to this craft. You are a truly wonderful resource! And you accent is most pleasant!

[@JHLeather]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@duckasmr]

The way you explained this was fantastic! Thank you so much!

[@12ernie]

One of the best videos I have watched! A lot of great information, easy to understand! Thanks!

[@JHLeather]

Glad it was helpful!

[@charleshoward448]

Great information, thanks very much! I love all these videos where you break down the details of tools, types of leather, thread, etc... Most people/channels just skip over that stuff; but for someone who is relatively new to leather work, all of this information is wonderful!

[@JHLeather]

Glad it was helpful! 😁

[@jgdevoe]

Good info and love that bloopers.

[@JHLeather]

Thank you 🙂

[@wesleymunoz6474]

I had to take a screenshot of the thread size/SPI chart, super useful for a beginner like myself. Thank you!

[@JHLeather]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jalehz1228]

​@@JHLeathercan you tell me whar means SPI?

[@ericdekeersmaeker5780]

Thank you very much Jo. I’m a fellow leather crafter and Sculpfun user. I value your excellent video’s. Keep it up ❤️👌

[@JHLeather]

Thank you 👍

[@wild-radio7373]

FANTASTIC!♡ especially around 5min.

[@JHLeather]

Glad you liked it!

[@robertadams4207]

Thanks so much. I found this very helpful. I'm sure I'll have to go back and watch it several more times, but I appreciate your sharing your practical insights.

[@JHLeather]

Glad you like the video 👍 threads can be a bit of a minefield so I hope it helps people out

[@edusszfx]

Just getting started, so I really appreciate the very detailed approach! Thanks!

[@JHLeather]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marqbarq5977]

Fantastic. Excellent overview of thread and leather work.

[@JHLeather]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ThePsuy]

Very helpful if you’re just starting out! Thank you!

[@JHLeather]

Glad it was helpful! 👍

[@pmewUK]

Great video Jo, really useful. Love the out-takes at the end too! 😂

[@JHLeather]

Haha yeah even with a teleprompter I get my words wrong 😂😂

[@jalehz1228]

@@JHLeather thanks for the video first of all.. I have one question, since I have been sewing on a gray machine for years, I have learned that the smaller the number, the thicker the thread and vice versa... I'm interested in hand sewing thread, for example, is 0.55 thread thicker than 0.8mm thread? and what is the equivalent of, for example, thread 0.6 mm, is it similar to thread 10 for sewing on a sewing machine, or is it an approximate thickness? sorry for the long question..

[@johnmackay285]

Great video Jo, very informative.

[@JHLeather]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnmackay285]

I’m going to have to try linen thread. I do like the look of it but as you say it’s that trade off with the longevity and strength.

[@davem0udb]

These are really useful videos Jo, thanks very much

[@JHLeather]

Glad you like them!

[@larryohara6513]

Very good info. I thank you Jo!

[@JHLeather]

Glad you found it helpful 👍

[@Maakzz]

Another great video Jo! It's so hard to find comparative visual data for different chisel/thread combinations, so this is an amazing reference for a lot of us. I can confirm I took a leap of faith ordering an army of Ritza 25 Tiger thread in 0.6mm and 0.8 mm last week - to possibly replace my current Vinymo setup - for my 4.0mm pricking irons and round dent punches. Hopefully this video will help others to select their favorite setup with a bit more confidence that I had hehe!

[@JHLeather]

Glad you like the video 🙂 my aim was to give as much information as possible so people can make their own choices as to what they would personally like 👍

[@I.72-h9i]

Nicely explained

[@JHLeather]

Glad you found it helpful 👍

[@daveturnbull7221]

Yup, loads of info in there Jo and as you said, a lot of the choices come down to personal preference. Personally I'm with you and tend to use linen thread as well mainly because it is also what I use in bookbinding. The environmental side of it also plays a big part in my decision though. I get mine pre-waxed from Hewits in 50g skeins although I did recently buy some Tiger thread from them as well (40% off was too good to pass up).

[@JHLeather]

There is a the xiange thread from Pro Atelier that is a linen look polyester thread, it really is hard to tell the difference between them. But I do like the idea that if for whatever reason someone brought one of my wallets and lost it forever, it would rot away to nothing and not leave any plastics behind.

[@pollypops2]

Answered everything I needed to know!

[@JHLeather]

👍👍👍

[@jgdevoe]

I’ve been trying those John James needles and I find that the eye is quite small for the .5.6 type linen threads. I’ve been using and very rough at that snagging the thread if it’s a tight fit, especially. I’ve had to use one of those little gadgets that helps pull the thread through because I’ve not been able to wet the end and get it through on its own, I bought some Amazon needles with a much bigger eye, and those are much easier to thread, as well as the eye is very smooth in the thread passes through without getting caught up in the eye.

[@JHLeather]

As with a lot of the craft, finding the right tool for you can take time, glad to hear that you have found some needles that work for you 👍

[@ricardobp007]

Great video! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@JHLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@1arpa]

You are a very nice İnstructor. Thanks

[@JHLeather]

I appreciate that!

[@MountainFisher]

I found for long stitches I will go with the Ritza because of how it is braided into a tube and doesn't easily tangle. Yes it lays flat, but no one will see it on an inside seam of a bag.

[@JHLeather]

Thats a good use of the braided thread 👍

[@curiousman1672]

In addition to SPI, I've always considered the thickness of the piece. A KaBar style knife sheath, half an inch thick, will require a lower SPI as well as a burlier thread thickness. Likewise, a delicate, thin watchband would lean towards a higher SPI and much thinner thread thickness. I don't recall you ever doing a chisel/pricking iron discussion, where you lay out and discuss your collection. You're pretty old school as far as pricking irons being preferred, but I've wondered what your collection looks like. I have literal "scads" of chisels/irons, but really only use maybe 3 of them, between 3-4mm, rarely a 5mm. I often used linen years ago, but have transitioned over to polyester. Maine Thread Co. here in the US.

[@PrettyAliceNight]

Very helpful video! Do you have a brand of the polyester twisted cord you’d recommend? Or where to buy it from?

[@AlexanderMason1]

I like synthetic thread because it is much more durable in every way compared to linen or even hemp (hemp is many times stronger than linen. I also find that flat braided thread (even the higher quality ones like ritzy “tiger” thread) looks bad because it is flat. There is a Chinese company that makes the best leather stitching threads out there. Their Messi linen thread in the best linen thread out there and they have a polyester version of it that is also twisted. That being said the one i love is their “NANMEI” rounded braided polyester thread. You get the properties of braided thread (it won’t coil up while stitching and has good strength if its braided evenly (avoid cheap braided thread) )while getting the look of rounded thread. Bonded polyester or nylon thread (nylon is stronger than polyester but lacks the slight UV resistance that polyester has) is also good as it won’t unravel.

[@JHLeather]

I like the meisi threads also, they are what I use the most along with the weixin and xiange from Pro Atelier Plus. Agree that the flat braided threads don't give as nice a stitch, which is what I say on the video. 👍

[@RomaVega]

Thx

[@JHLeather]

No problem 👍

[@TheContrariann]

I brought silk thread, cotton thread and nylon thread.. I should have seen this episode before that. Anyways I'll use it for something else, maybe bookbinding projects.. Will silk thread be good enough ?

[@hashimp8945]

¿Están todos disponibles en Amazon?

[@JshockSubmariner735]

what do you think about hemp it does not rot and its incredibly strong?

[@shellybrandon9]

Hi Jo, I have Barbour 3/18 - 4/18 - 5/18 natural and white unwaxed linen threads. Obviously I wax them when I use them. Have you ever heard of using Feibings or other dyes to make the thread match the leather project. I need to use up these spools before I kick the bucket. I currently use Tiger because they have great colors but I know I could dye the linen to any color. I never hear people talking about dyeing linen threads. Would the dye damage the linen threads? John

[@shellybrandon9]

Hi Jo, need to reply. I got my answer. Thanks anyway.

[@TheContrariann]

The amount of efforts you put in the videos is admirible. ❤ Will Silk thread be good enough? For ex. 0.50 mm to 1.00 mm Silk thread?

[@jessiecueta6984]

Think you🤔

[@markedis5902]

What about hemp?

[@JHLeather]

I haven't used that before so can't say much about it

[@johngessner]

Tremendous

[@JHLeather]

Thank you 👍

[@Hakan_Derin]

What a lovely accent!

[@JHLeather]

Thank you 👍

[@user-jo5fz8iw3b]

Do you ever use "flat" thread? What would it be used for? What type of project?

[@V3leathercraft]

I use 3.85 to 0.8mm thread, 3.38 to 0.5mm thread and 2.7 to 0.35mm thread.

[@hashimp8945]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@whereisthebalance5732]

Linen doesn't rot cotton does

[@marcofittipaldi007]

🇧🇷👏🙏

[@JHLeather]

👍

[@emmanuelchikeluba2360]

Every time you hear not good for the environment, not good for the environment. You people sound so stupid tbh. Even the clothe you are wearing are made from fabrics that are mostly polyester and other man made materials. Y'all should stop whining it's annoying.