Beginning your journey into leathercraft is both fun and exciting but it can also be a bit daunting. You will be learning new skills on every project you undertake. Some techniques will come quite easily while others may take some time to learn. One thing that is for sure is that for the most part, stitching leather is where you will be spending most of your time on your projects. There are a variety of stitches and different sewing techniques that leathersmith’s use an you will have to find what is most comfortable and easiest for you. Do you prefer to use 2 needles and prefer hand stitching or maybe you prefer using a little tool called the stitching awl or speedy stitcher.
A leather stitching awl is a hand held tool used to sew thicker materials together such as leather, canvas or tarp. It consists of a needle with a hole in its ends and a groove which allows space for your thread to sit in. This thread is attached to a bobbin/wheel/spool which sits inside the handle allowing you to stitch easily and quickly without having to use 2 needles. The thread can be replaced by removing the bobbin wheel and refilling it.
The stitching awl really is an ingenious piece of kit that is comfortable to use and improves the speed of your stitching. It also makes stitching easier if you have to sew thick pieces of leather or canvas together. If you would like to learn a bit more about this little tool and what a leather stitching awl is then please read on for a more detailed analysis
What are other names for a leather stitching awl?
The leather stitching awl is also known as a sewing awl or speedy stitcher and looks similar to a scratch awl but has a totally different use. It allows the leathercrafter to sew without using 2 separate needles and thread as the tool combines all this into one. Let’s take a closer look at what is a leather stitching awl and how it is made.
What are the different parts of a leather stitching awl?
At first glance the leather stitching awl looks just like a scratch awl, but if you look a little closer you will see there are quite a few differences. Let’s have a look at the various parts of the stitching awl:
- The needle has a groove and a hole in its tip which allows you to put your thread through the needles tip. The needle can easily be removed by unscrewing the chuck or cap which fits over the needle and its shaft.
- The chuck which fits over the needle and shaft is screwed into place and can be removed which will reveal storage holes for other types of needles should you need to use them.
- The handle looks very similar to a scratch awls handle but if have a look at the back of the handle and you will see it has a removable cap. Unscrew the cap and have a look what’s inside.
- Inside the handle is a Bobbin wheel or spool which comes pre-installed with thread. The bobbin is used to wrap your thread around so you don’t have have lose thread hanging about when you are stitching. Measure out a sufficient length of thread and wrap it around the bobbin. Now insert the bobbin back into the handle and replace
the cap. Pull the thread through the hole in the handle and wrap it around the tensioning knob. - Tensioning knob. Looking at the handle you will notice a tiny knob sitting on the face of it, this is called a tensioning knob and it allows you to keep your thread wound up tight by winding it around this knob. Some leathersmith’s prefer to use this knob while others don’t. Pull your thread through the around the tensioning knob by making a loop. Next guide the thread into the groove on your handle and into the groove on your needle and out through its tip. Pull out a bit of extra thread as you will need it later. Make sure to align the groove on the needle with the groove on your handle as this makes it easier when sewing your leather.
Now that we have discussed the various parts of the sewing awl lets talk a bit about how to use it.
How to use a leather stitching awl?
It can be a bit complicated explaining how a stitching awl is used but i have also attached a link to a brilliant video that will explain everything in more detail.
When sewing leather together you will need to have pre-punched your holes first so that you can begin stitching with the awl.
- First insert the tip of your stitching awl through the first hole in your leather.
- Now pull the thread from the tip of the needle so that you have sufficient length of thread for your entire row of sewing…..also allow a bit extra.
- Now pull the awl back out of the first hole completely leaving the remaining thread behind.
- Push the stitching awl through the second hole so the needle protrudes through the other side.
- Carefully slide the awl backwards so that a loop forms in your thread. Don’t remove the awl completely out of the second hole!
- Take your thread in your left hand and thread it through the small loop that has formed and then pull the stitching awl all the way out of the second hole.
- You should have your first stitch formed now. Pull both sides of the the thread tight to form a neat clean stitch. Now repeat the steps above for your 2nd stitch.
Is it any quicker to use a leather stitching awl?
This really depends on your level of experience and skill. I have always used the 2 needle method of stitching by hand with the aid of a stitching pony. Once you get the hang of the stitching awl your stitching quality should improve. If you are a beginner you might find the stitching awl is much easier technique to master than the 2 needle method.
What is the price of a leather stitching awl?
Prices vary depending on the quality and where you purchase your stitching awl. Some stitching awls come with a variety of extra goodies like needles and bobbins etc.
You should be able to get a good stitching awl from anywhere between $18 and up to $40 depending these extras.
I personally found that they are worth the investment so please check out this link to Amazon if you are interested in buying one.
What are the advantages of using a leather stitching awl?
- The stitching awl allows you to sew thicker materials together such as leather, canvas or tarp together.
- The handle of the stitching awl is more ergonomic than using the regular harness needles so you won’t need to use a leather hand protector when stitching.
- The stitching awl comes with an instruction manual.
- The tool also usually comes with extra needles and extra lengths of thread.
- It allows a beginner to learn how to use the tool and master stitching easily and quickly.
Conclusion.
The handy stitching awl or speedy stitcher is definitely a cool tool to have and is worth the investment. I hope you found the above info useful and hopefully it’s given you a better idea on what the tool can do and how it can be used. Good luck with your next leathercraft project as it’s a great tool to have in your toolbox! Check out this link to find out more about wing dividers