I going to try making a holster for my 1911. I plan to stitch the leather. The pattern book I am going by is very old and says to use number 5 or 6 cord. Is this terminology still correct? When I go to the leather store, do I ask for that, or is their a more commonly used term now. Can any of you give advice or recommendations on stitching. Also, if I want to use a few rivets, what should I ask for? I am using 11 ounce leatehr if it is important.
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How to stitch holsters?
- Thread starter Ed2000
- Start date
depends on where you are buying supplies.. folks who sell to shoe shops or saddle makers will know, but mall shops or craft stores may not. 5 or 6 cord is an older system of thread size and refers to the number of strands twisted together to make the thread. 5 cord is about # 270 to 305 size and 6 is 347 to 405. both are heavy thread used for heavy leather. look for a book called hand sewing leather... tandy used to carry it and probably still has it in their on-line set-up. you will also need an over stitch wheel to mark the spacing of stitches, a groover to cut a channel for the stitches so they won't wear,a stabbing awl to prepunch the stitch holesand beeswax if the thread is not pre-waxed. punches of appropriate size for rivets, copper belt rivets are strongest, tubular, or "splash "rivets , next, then two piece "speed rivets". all will work, but , proper stitching will look and wear better.
e- mail me and i will give you a more detailed answer to any questions.
e- mail me and i will give you a more detailed answer to any questions.
You'll need two (at least) good leather needles and something to hold the holster since you'll want to use the saddle stitch where you start at one end of the holster and stitch using both needles one in from the back while the other goes in from the front using the same stitch holes.
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"If there be treachery, let there be jihad."
Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
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"If there be treachery, let there be jihad."
Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
ed, tandy has a hand sewing kit that includes all you'll need to hand sew #118900 including the book i mentioned. also. you may find 8 oz. leather easier to work and mold . if you just want to buy needles or thread , tandy's # 119200 harness needles and 122103 thread should be what you need. the oz. marking in the description is the weight of the spool of thread, not the thread itself.harness needles are blunt so as not to cut the thread, so you'll have to prepunch each hole. read the book in the kit, and it will answer most questions . let us know if we can help further....
[This message has been edited by cmore (edited October 19, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by cmore (edited October 19, 2000).]