Saddle-stitching on this website is done by hand
Saddle-stitching is the traditional method used to bind two or more layers of harness or bridle leather. Two harness needles are used with beeswaxed Barbour’s 4, 5, 6 or 7 cord flax sinew. A half-knot is tied as the needles cross each other in every hole previously opened using a saddler's awl. Beginning and end stitches are trippled-back for security and no knots are tied. Many pouches have welt seams, a third layer strip of burnished and molded harness leather which hides & protects the stitches and prolongs the life of the pouch. This adds about an hour to the construction time and produces a unique, finely-finished edge.
Click on photos to see full-size
Stitches are about the same distance apart AND from the edge as the leather is thick.
The half-knot twist on each linen stitch is the mark of traditional saddle-stitching.
There is no other material that retains beeswax & produces fine stitches.
The importance of saddle-soaping and dubbin & how to apply them
Tanning methods and the danger of using chromium-tanned leathers
Is leather just a by-product of the meat industry?
The entire epidermal layer of your skin turns over every forty-eight days
Sandals
Build Your Own Pair
Care for Your Leather
Leather Terms
Leathersmithe History
California Tanneries
Tanning Methods
Galleries and Links
Pouches, Wallets, Bags
Belt Pouches
Commemorative Pouches
Passport Pouches
Drum-back Pouches
Wallets
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Archive
Protégés
"Davy – many thanks for your fun and detailed tutoring – I know 100% more than I did before embarking on making my apron. I’m sure it will be much used and soon acquire its own patina.” LB 5/2017
I'm glad we both realized our successful expectations; we cut our coat to
the cloth and figured out a bold interpretation of a classic article of
work-wear. It will look great with wood shavings all over it. Davy
Begun December 2015