stitching up sheaths

[Isaacherring]

So the al stohlman book on sewing leather says the distance of the groove from the edge should be the same as the thickness of the piece you are stitching, but at like 3 layers of 7/8 oz you have about a half inch, after 4 layers that would just look ridiculous wouldn't it?

 

[v8r]

I'm no expert by any means, but I like to stitch a 1/8 inch from the edge. I feel it has a little more strength.

 

[Horsewright]

I have 2 stitching groovers. One is set at 1/8" the other at 1/4". I use the 1/8 for most items that are either very fine work or have linings. Such as belts, notebook covers, headstalls etc. The 1/4" is used on sheaths, holsters, rifle scabbards, saddelry items etc. I use to use the 1/8" on sheaths but quit. Had some problems with the loop of horizontals sheaths wearing apart. Moved the stitching line in and fixed it. Now all sheaths are at 1/4".

 

[Diomedes Industries]

I am pretty sure that Paul has the same settings, Dave.

Jason

 

[sheathmaker]

I do use the same settings as Dave, but I have a third that I use as a light mark guide for the tooling boundaries, it's set at 5/16". I go 1/4" or so inside the 5/16" mark for the margin of the tooling. When the edges are squared up on the finisher the 1/4" invariably rides right on the old 5/16" mark so I guess squaring up the edge takes off about 1/16" every time.

Paul