Leather Sewing Equipment

Discussion
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Hey @textilestechs and @martyn_thomas,

I’ve been restoring a drawknife from the woodshop and would like to make a leather sheath for it. Thought you would be the two best to ask about this!

I’m looking at using a couple of press studs for the closure and wondered if we have these at the space? Also, do we have a leather stitch punch and perhaps suitable thread/needles to use?

I’m very happy to buy these myself, but just wanted to check in beforehand in case I can strike anything from the buy list.

Cheers,
Pete

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I’m interested too - but a total newbie. I’m told that the cast iron Singer industrial sewing machine can do leather or even buffalo hide. There are tools for riveting and rivets too that I’ve seen. There may be press studs - often best to hunt around.

Not sure about a leather stitch punch, but I recall Martyn saying how the laser can be used to make holes in leather for stitching. You might get best result by cutting the pattern and doing stitching holes in one go on the laser so that lines up properly. If you are hand sewing, what kind of stitch is best to use for that?

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There Is a leather working kit with loads of hand tools on the shelf under the bench between textile and 3D. Lots of punches and bits in there

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I’m planning on saddle stitching as that’s a strong reliable one I’d like to practise. Although the singer can definitely handle it I don’t want to try waxed thread in the machine. Thanks for the heads up on the tools @dannz and @scday94, I’ll have a look next time I’m in :slight_smile:

I was thinking about laser cutting the design, but think I’ll handcut this one; I have another leather project which I think will be better suited for the laser cutter.

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If you need showing where the leatherworking stuff is I can go in

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I’ll not be in for a few days I think but perhaps if you wouldn’t mind sending a photo where I can find it next time you’re in? Thanks!

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I have a few sets of very basic Pricking Irons/Punches that I can donate. I probably have a few other leather tools lying around I can bring. Happy to show the basics of saddle stitching too if that’s in any way helpful.

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I’ve tried saddle stitching and think I have a reasonable grasp on it, though I’ve not used a clamp in the past so taking myself over to the woodshop vises may improve the quality a fair bit! I’ll see what I can find in the textiles area first but if you do have any bits which the place is missing, and you’d be happy to donate that’d be wonderful!

Cheers,
Pete

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Hey @Sam_Mason,

If your offer still stands, I’d love to borrow a stitch punch at some point! Any chance you’d be able to bring it and pop it with the leather hole punches in the wooden chest by the wimsew?

No rush on it, trying to make a sheath for a drawknife I’m restoring from woodshop!

Cheers,
Pete