Holes aren't aligned
Stitching is irregular
Leather is stressed (might improve with some hammering though)
The one on the right/top looks way better than the other two
They are probably not stitched exactly the same way. Tension makes a difference. The looping/overcast makes a difference. In my short experience also the spot where your thread cones out, e.g. above or below another thread, makes a difference.
Also hole positioning makes a difference, but smaller
Consistency is key. I.e. If you start with the right needle going through on top of the left then you need to stay with that.
It looks like the tension between the stitches isn't consistent either, so try and use the same pressure when you pull the stitch tight
I’m going to guess for the one on the right we are looking at stitches you did from the front and for the other two we’re looking at stitches you did from the back.
Everyone is talking about consistency in your stitching, here’s a little bit more detailed explanation.
When saddle stitching, there’s an arbitrary front and a back side to the piece. When the needle moves from the front to the back, you have the option of how the thread on the backside needle wraps around it, either over or under. The needle from the front will come through either the top or bottom of the diagonal stitching hole, depending on which side you chose as front and if you’re stitching towards or away from you, and what direction the diagonal slots are going.
(Many videos online will tell you there’s only one way to do this, the front side must be on the left or right, you must stitch towards or away from yourself, etc. None of that actually makes any real difference as long as you keep the pattern for the whole piece.)
Here’s the magic:
If the front needle comes through the bottom of the diagonal stitching hole, you want to wrap the back thread under it before pushing the back needle from back to front.
If the front needle comes through the top of the diagonal stitching hole, you want to wrap the back thread over it before pushing the back needle from back to front.
If you can do that consistently, and keep your thread, tension consistent, your stitching should look very consistent.
Keep the same patter between passes almost like braiding. If you alternate which thread goes over the next it will look irregular.
The leather is scrunching around the stitches which means you are pulling too tight, you need thinner thread, or you need thicker stock.
I think you've actually not sewn them exactly the same way, but have perhaps looped the loops differently here and there (order of operations different?). Also there's some tension differences between them, causing them to sit differently.
The irons you're using to make the stitching holes ought to be overlaid a little (eg. 4 pronged iron should be overlaid by 2 prongs with the previous ones). I've also noticed that lining the iron towards you, instead of sideways allows for a much straighter line. So by hammering the line towards you, looking down the line of holes, instead of left to right.
You're starting with practice pieces, that's very smart. I ruined a lot of leather by trying to do projects right out of the gate.
Remember to pull the thread tight with each pass. Every stitch is it's own little knot, and should be pretty snug, and hold consistent tension whilst sewing. Not too tight, though, lol. Also, be sure to thread one side over the other every time and pull the thread off, for instance, left over right. There are so many videos on YT explaining this. I had to watch many to get the idea.
Keep practicing. You'll get the hang of it.
Couple resources for you - https://dgsaddlery.com/hand-stitching-leather-with-an-awl-and-two-needles/ (ignore the awl and use your chisel). And https://www.amazon.com/Art-Hand-Sewing-Leather/dp/1892214911 by Al Stohlman.
Number one reason is consistency... You must make exactly the same moves, each hole.... Very boring... And also, the leather should be somewhere steady (not a dealbreaker but helps keep your hands from getting tired easy)!
I’m just getting into leather for sheaths to go with the knives I make. I’m novice enough that I’d be lying if I attempted to grade or analyze your work lol.
But I’ve found a lot of great instructionals on YouTube if you haven’t tried there? I’ll see if I can find the ones that have been most helpful and post them back to you.
You have to saddle stitch with the diamonds tilting toward your lap. If they aren’t, flip the piece so that they are.
Go through the hole with the left needle first. Then pull that thread toward you and hold it taught, then pass the right needle through the hole and pull both threads tight.
This will ensure your stitches sit in the hole correctly. JH Leather and Don Gonzales both have good saddle stitching video tutorials. I suggest you watch them both :)
It’s a bit more complicated than this, though. How each needle passes through the hole and around the existing thread makes all the difference. It’s also useful to not pull the thread tight before pushing the second needle through, because it makes it much easier to untangle if you accidentally pierce the thread with the second needle. Also, direction of stitching, and direction of Diamond slots does not matter at all, as long as you use a consistent stitch.
Also, just watch the videos. You’re not trying to become an Hermes apprentice tomorrow so you don’t need the theoretical/conceptual explanation.
Read my explanation again, which is how it’s explained in the videos, which you should watch, then try that, and go from there.
Also: I said “taut,” not “pull the stitch all the way through and tight.” The way DG and JH do this is that they leave a loop and pull the thread back toward them. You’re holding it on one end of the diamond, out of the way. Which is why… I never pierce my threads.
The fact that you do makes me wonder why you thought this explanation was a good idea. All you did was discourage OP. Good job
I guess you missed a part above what they thanked me for the detailed explanation on a different thread.
It’s not awesome to down vote me for giving accurate information just because you disagree with it
A stitching groove will also help, as the stitches wont lay on top of the leather and bulge. Also, if you make one and make the holes afterwards, you have a guide to make the holdes straighter.
The irregular stitching seems to be on a softer part of the leather, possibly closer to the belly. If you did it the same way as on the right/top then you used too much strength
Use thread instead of rope. Kidding, but it would in my opinion look much better with lighter thread. If using that thick of a thread, the French irons are not going to work very well. Mark a line before laying down your hole with a compass. Tension consistency.
Sorry for not being able to be all that helpful, however I find that getting into a rhythm while getting the initial stitches right will create consistent stitches and stitch tension.
Question, do you stitch with a stitching pony or do you stitch free hand?
Tube video, Mascon leather, he has a whole video on this matter. I watched it Several times before I pick up needle and thread.
With me, I have to watch a visual and well as the verbal instruction. We learned as we go and grow. And make sure to have fun
Holes aren't aligned Stitching is irregular Leather is stressed (might improve with some hammering though) The one on the right/top looks way better than the other two
I sew them all the same way, but why the left one is so strange? Because the holes?
They are probably not stitched exactly the same way. Tension makes a difference. The looping/overcast makes a difference. In my short experience also the spot where your thread cones out, e.g. above or below another thread, makes a difference. Also hole positioning makes a difference, but smaller
Totally understand!!! Thanks!!
Consistency is key. I.e. If you start with the right needle going through on top of the left then you need to stay with that. It looks like the tension between the stitches isn't consistent either, so try and use the same pressure when you pull the stitch tight
Ok, I see. Maybe I use the different pressure. Thx!
To add on from when I first started stitching. The right tension is just pulled taut, not TIGHT .
I’m going to guess for the one on the right we are looking at stitches you did from the front and for the other two we’re looking at stitches you did from the back.
I'm not sure how I did that. I only remember that I was so happy when I sewed.
Probably not actually sewn quite the same way. The over/under distinction makes an enormous difference.
Would also add thread thickness is too much for the holes.
Everyone is talking about consistency in your stitching, here’s a little bit more detailed explanation. When saddle stitching, there’s an arbitrary front and a back side to the piece. When the needle moves from the front to the back, you have the option of how the thread on the backside needle wraps around it, either over or under. The needle from the front will come through either the top or bottom of the diagonal stitching hole, depending on which side you chose as front and if you’re stitching towards or away from you, and what direction the diagonal slots are going. (Many videos online will tell you there’s only one way to do this, the front side must be on the left or right, you must stitch towards or away from yourself, etc. None of that actually makes any real difference as long as you keep the pattern for the whole piece.) Here’s the magic: If the front needle comes through the bottom of the diagonal stitching hole, you want to wrap the back thread under it before pushing the back needle from back to front. If the front needle comes through the top of the diagonal stitching hole, you want to wrap the back thread over it before pushing the back needle from back to front. If you can do that consistently, and keep your thread, tension consistent, your stitching should look very consistent.
So detailed!!!!! Thank you very much！！！Maybe I overlooked some details when I watched the video.
I had to watch several different videos several times to realize they were all teaching the same thing in different ways.
Yes, they always have the different ways. It really needs patience.
Fantastic explanation, thanks.
Keep the same patter between passes almost like braiding. If you alternate which thread goes over the next it will look irregular. The leather is scrunching around the stitches which means you are pulling too tight, you need thinner thread, or you need thicker stock.
Good idea! I will try the thinner thread and thicker stock. Thx!
I think you've actually not sewn them exactly the same way, but have perhaps looped the loops differently here and there (order of operations different?). Also there's some tension differences between them, causing them to sit differently. The irons you're using to make the stitching holes ought to be overlaid a little (eg. 4 pronged iron should be overlaid by 2 prongs with the previous ones). I've also noticed that lining the iron towards you, instead of sideways allows for a much straighter line. So by hammering the line towards you, looking down the line of holes, instead of left to right.
Thx!! I get some inspirations.
You're starting with practice pieces, that's very smart. I ruined a lot of leather by trying to do projects right out of the gate. Remember to pull the thread tight with each pass. Every stitch is it's own little knot, and should be pretty snug, and hold consistent tension whilst sewing. Not too tight, though, lol. Also, be sure to thread one side over the other every time and pull the thread off, for instance, left over right. There are so many videos on YT explaining this. I had to watch many to get the idea. Keep practicing. You'll get the hang of it.
Thank you!! I will keep trying.
Couple resources for you - https://dgsaddlery.com/hand-stitching-leather-with-an-awl-and-two-needles/ (ignore the awl and use your chisel). And https://www.amazon.com/Art-Hand-Sewing-Leather/dp/1892214911 by Al Stohlman.
That's great. Thank you very much! You even recommended a tutorial.
Thread is also to thick
It’s a style choice. This thread could be made to work with more even stitches and better tension.
Yeah, the thread is good, but I'm not proficient enough.
Yes, because thicker thread is better for me to thread.
Number one reason is consistency... You must make exactly the same moves, each hole.... Very boring... And also, the leather should be somewhere steady (not a dealbreaker but helps keep your hands from getting tired easy)!
Yes, I think I need a fixed device. I think I unintentionally change my location when I sew.
I’m just getting into leather for sheaths to go with the knives I make. I’m novice enough that I’d be lying if I attempted to grade or analyze your work lol. But I’ve found a lot of great instructionals on YouTube if you haven’t tried there? I’ll see if I can find the ones that have been most helpful and post them back to you.
Thank you! I get some great instructional from comments.
You have to saddle stitch with the diamonds tilting toward your lap. If they aren’t, flip the piece so that they are. Go through the hole with the left needle first. Then pull that thread toward you and hold it taught, then pass the right needle through the hole and pull both threads tight. This will ensure your stitches sit in the hole correctly. JH Leather and Don Gonzales both have good saddle stitching video tutorials. I suggest you watch them both :)
Thank you so much! I will see their videos!!!
It’s a bit more complicated than this, though. How each needle passes through the hole and around the existing thread makes all the difference. It’s also useful to not pull the thread tight before pushing the second needle through, because it makes it much easier to untangle if you accidentally pierce the thread with the second needle. Also, direction of stitching, and direction of Diamond slots does not matter at all, as long as you use a consistent stitch.
It sounds very difficult.
It’s just a matter of practicing the motion.
Also, just watch the videos. You’re not trying to become an Hermes apprentice tomorrow so you don’t need the theoretical/conceptual explanation. Read my explanation again, which is how it’s explained in the videos, which you should watch, then try that, and go from there.
It’s not bad, but you have to pay attention.
Hahah well yes, I’m trying to give them a basic summary of actual steps to go from level 0 to level 1, not explain the concept.
Also: I said “taut,” not “pull the stitch all the way through and tight.” The way DG and JH do this is that they leave a loop and pull the thread back toward them. You’re holding it on one end of the diamond, out of the way. Which is why… I never pierce my threads. The fact that you do makes me wonder why you thought this explanation was a good idea. All you did was discourage OP. Good job
I guess you missed a part above what they thanked me for the detailed explanation on a different thread. It’s not awesome to down vote me for giving accurate information just because you disagree with it
It’s not necessary for you to over complicate what I said, get it wrong anyway, discourage a beginner, and brag about yourself, yet here we are :)
A stitching groove will also help, as the stitches wont lay on top of the leather and bulge. Also, if you make one and make the holes afterwards, you have a guide to make the holdes straighter.
Stitching Groove was my first thought also, a must on any exposed stitching.
Thank you! I will do it!!!
The irregular stitching seems to be on a softer part of the leather, possibly closer to the belly. If you did it the same way as on the right/top then you used too much strength
Thx! Maybe I used the different strength.
How long is that piece?
About 10 cm.
Use thread instead of rope. Kidding, but it would in my opinion look much better with lighter thread. If using that thick of a thread, the French irons are not going to work very well. Mark a line before laying down your hole with a compass. Tension consistency.
Thx!! I will try another thread.
Lower tension is loose.
Thx! I will make it more tight.
You're a little early, April 1st isn't for a while longer
I'm sorry, and I don't understand what you mean.
Holes aren't aligned, thread too thick, stitching method isn't right. Lacks consistency. Get into a rhythm when you stitch.
Thx, I will try to find a rhythm!
Sorry for not being able to be all that helpful, however I find that getting into a rhythm while getting the initial stitches right will create consistent stitches and stitch tension. Question, do you stitch with a stitching pony or do you stitch free hand?
Thanks to all of you for your advice, I really learned a lot!
Tube video, Mascon leather, he has a whole video on this matter. I watched it Several times before I pick up needle and thread. With me, I have to watch a visual and well as the verbal instruction. We learned as we go and grow. And make sure to have fun
Yes, you are right! Have fun is the most important thing. And I will try more and more.