Best methods for Hood Stitching?

[Hawkmaster]

If we start at the beginning, which is the better way to make the initial holes in the leather? Distances from the edge etc?

[GriffMJ]

Get a technical compass that can have two metal points put into it..score the leather edge at 3-4mm.... get an adequate stitch marker (purchase from a sewing shop and ask for a quilters stitch marker) and rundown each scored mark...make sure that you start at the corresponding point on each side of the leather. This will then give you an even stitch line when sewn :)

The top pic is the correct way to "pre punch" your leather, pre puch the leather with a leather needle .... when I started out my first hole puch was a modellers drill holder (purchase from a model shop) that you can insert a leather needle into....this is more than adequate for a beginner :)

[Hawkmaster]

Here is how I do the X stitch method right now, would there be any suggestion to improve it?

[Gaz]

Yeah,..buy a hood off Griff ya tight git :!:

[GriffMJ]

loooool

[Peregrynne]

While we are on the stitch topic....what is the best type of thread to use for stitching hoods up?

[SkyRider]

I used leather thread that was coated in beeswax on both my hoods. They've stood up pretty well... haven't been on a bird but I don't think my siblings let them alone!

[Hawkmaster]

Dental floss works well for me and I also use a braided kevlar.

[Peregrynne]

HM where do you find braided kevlar?

[Hawkmaster]

I bought it off a man at a fair where I once worked and that was about 11 years ago and now I am still looking for some as I only have brown. eBay only has small bobbins of it.

[Peregrynne]

well I will have a look around and see if I can find anything...if I do I will post it up here for all

[Hawkmaster]

Cheers

[Peregrynne]

Here is what I found with just a quick check on google

Thread Exchange kevlar (http://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TTE&Category_Co de=KEVH)

Hook and Hackle kevlar thread (http://www.hookhack.com/threads.html)

will post more when I find it :wink: :twisted:

[Aman]

Berkley make a new type of braid for fishing, it contains kevlar and is extremely strong, similar to berkley fireline but newer, i forgot the name of it:rolleyes:

[PrinceOfTheWesternDesert]

Here is how I do the X stitch method right now, would there be any suggestion to improve it?

i actually use 2 needles ,and cris cross as i am going,,i just started doing this lately,, and it works pretty well,,,
however,, after seeing everybody elses hoodwork,, i am convinced, i should stick to bags, and lures,,hoodbuckets,lol
after taking a look at one of pete watzkis recent hoods (with a magnifying glass),, i think i should just give it up,,,

[Fawkes]

I started using two needles when I was making some hoods for my old boss, it seemed to lock the stitches as you went better (less light gets in or none later). Also keeps the two sides of the leather in line. Once I get around to making some more hoods myself I will try it there too.

[Sean D]

Try fishing tackle shops for various types of braid

[Eragon]

I think that the stitch that I use is overly complicated (my own fault), but it holds the hood light tight. I use waxed dental floss. I use two needles for this. The first stitch I put both needles down and cross them on the inside of the leather and back up through so it makes a like a loop without going anywhere down on the hood. Then you cross and go down into the leather and cross them inside and come back up through the top and just repeat until the end. I replicate the first stitch for the last one, mostly because I think it makes it stronger (probably just my imagination!). If anyone wants clarification I can do pictures or try and explain it better.

[PrinceOfTheWesternDesert]

I think that the stitch that I use is overly complicated (my own fault), but it holds the hood light tight. I use waxed dental floss. I use two eedles for this. The first stitch I put both needles down and cross them on the inside of the leather and back up through so it makes a like a loop without going anywhere down on the hood. Then you cross and go down into the leather and cross them inside and come back up through the top and just repeat until the end. I replicate the first stitch for the last one, mostly because I think it makes it stronger (probably just my imagination!). If anyone wants clarification I can do pictures or try and explain it better.

your stiches are better than mine,, if you got time to show everything,, i wanna see,lol
ive been looking at the stitches of my best hoods,,or at least, by the best makers,, and i can plainly see that the pre punching is the stage at which a great hood is made,,
i see scott websters stitches,, and i think he must use some tools i dont know about,,and the holes are so big,,in comparison to the thread,,
the distance between holes, is so perfect, looks like a machine did it,,
nice of him to not cover the stitches,,lol

[TiercelR]

- I ever using to sewn with two nedles at same time at every stitch-hole.

- And i was sewned maybe a few hundreds of hoods ((mainly anglo-indians and some few smallest lots of both arabs and dutchs)) with both cross-X-stich, and with square-stitch.

- And i was noticed that square stitch appear to be more "no-light-entrance-allowed" than the X-stitch ((which maybe lack a few of their power when it makes the X figure meanwhile the square-stitch going most firm on every stitch during the sewn work)).

- At final of each sewn-work the X-stitch also don`t allow "any light entrance", but ever ((in my own experience)) the square-stitch looks more firm on the seams.

- Anyway, i shall still using the X-stitch in my hoods frequently ((and X-stitch is more "looking for" the hood-buyers maybe for their more artisian and rustic appearance)), but that is only a point of view about that matter.

- Best regards. Roberto.

[Hawkmaster]

We would all love to see pictures people as many people do not even know what you are on about never mind imagining it!:D