Let me take a stab at this... (Pun intended. Pushing the awl through the leather is called 'stabbing.') Trying to write clear directions ain't easy!
I'll assume that you're using the sort of stitchawl that has the bobbin in the handle and replaceable needles with a hole in the head just behind the point. Glue the layers of leather together, let dry, and if you wish, push with an awl or nail, or drill (pushing will make a stronger stitch,) your holes.
You may or may not want to use the bobbin. I never do unless I'm stitching something several meters long. (Actually, I usually don't use this sort of awl. I prefer to use two needles.) But with the bobbin type of awl, for smaller projects such as sheaths or pouches I just cut off about two meters of cord and wax it well, then thread a short (2"-3") length through the needle. Push the needle through the
SECOND hole and while it's still in the hole remove the thread from the needle, pull the awl back out of the hole leaving the thread going through the leather. Pull the lace through until you have about equal lengths on either side of the leather. (This is where "I" use the double needles. I just sew into each hole from opposite sides, giving the cord a half twist to firmly lock the stitch. VERY STRONG!!)
Now re-thread the needle with the cord on the
FINISHED SIDE of the leather, pulling most of the cord through until there is only about an inch or two between the needle and the face of the leather. (Some of the newer stitching awl needles have a groove on one side along the length of the needle.
Try threading from the non-grooved side. This will allow the cord to lay inside the groove, causing the loop to form on the correct side.)
Push the needle through the
FIRST hole all the way to the base of the needle, then BACK THE NEEDLE
OUT ONLY ABOUT 1/2 INCH! Do
NOT remove the needle from the hole!!! This should create a small loop of cord on the opposite of the leather from the awl's handle. Take the cord on the backside and thread it through the loop. NOW pull the needle all the way out! This will create the same sort of stitch that a sewing machine makes. Put some tension on both strands so that the lockloop is inside the leather between the layers. This will make a 'backstitch' that will lock your cord securely. :thumbup:
(NOTE: If the needle comes out with a
loop of thread/cord instead of the single strand through the eye, it means that you have threaded that inside cord through a loop on the wrong side of the needle. Remove the cord from the needle's eye, undo the stitch, re-thread the needle and try again.)
Now take the next stitch into the second hole (again,) pushing the needle all the way to its base, backing off a 1/2" to form the loop, thread that loop with the inside cord, and withdraw the awl completely. Apply tension to both cords to cause the locking loop to be hidden inside the leather layers. Then insert the needle in the the third hole and repeat the process. Continue to the end of the project, add a backstich at the end, and you're done! You 'should' end up with nice even stitches, all of them locked in with the cord from the reverse side.
Some people like to roll over the stitches with an 'Overstitch Wheel' to smooth them out, others prefer to hammer on them with a wooden or rubber mallet. I like to use a shoemaker's hammer, one side of which has a flat, head about 1" wide by 1/8" thick. That fits right into the seam and lets me flatten the stitches while at the same time closing up the holes tighter around the cording.
A last note... Sometimes, for some folks, these bobbin-type stitching awls can be frustrating. If it turns out that way for you, try the 'double needle' stitch. All you have to do is stick each needle into the same hole from opposite sides and pull tightly. Makes sort of a running "Figure 8" with the thread.
Good luck!
Stitchawl
