Appreciation post: I spent 6 hours last night trying to get a single kettle stitch to lay flat on a leather journal

I know everyone says to just use more glue and press it longer, but after three attempts with different weights and drying times, the solution was actually to slightly pare down the leather at the spine before sewing.

2 comments

2 Comments

victor_perry9013d ago

Good call on paring the leather. That's the real fix for bulk. Glue just fights the problem, doesn't solve it. You have to remove material where the thread needs to sit. A sharp skiving knife makes all the difference. Lets the stitch sink in like it's supposed to.

vera_sanchez13d ago

Exactly. Glue just makes a stiff lump that fights the thread. A sharp blade and taking off just enough leather is the only way to get that clean, flush look. It's a skill that takes practice, but once you get it right, the difference is huge. You ever ruin a piece learning how to skive properly?