Technique I still struggle with...

[Brokennock]

Maybe someone here has a link to a YouTube video or something demonstrating this as I believe I'm doing something wrong.
Some years ago I was introduced to the practice of tapering one's thread ends before threading the needles for a saddle stitch. I don't remember if I got it from Stohlman's book or from a guy on the ALR forum who was/is doing a series of topic threads on leatherwork skills. Either way trying to learn this correctly from photos and written word have ended up in inconsistent results. I can get it to work, most of the time, but not neatly or consistently.
A little help?

 

[Spottedbull]

I hear what you are saying. I usually use waxed linen thread. So when I cut it, I cut it on the boas so there is a point. Then I pinch it between my thumb and the needle and pull it through between them. This makes it really flat and a lot easier to thread the needle. Plus I tend to use a needle with a big eye in it.

I do remember the series of threads you are talking about about though.

 

[Brokennock]

I hear what you are saying. I usually use waxed linen thread. So when I cut it, I cut it on the boas so there is a point. Then I pinch it between my thumb and the needle and pull it through between them. This makes it really flat and a lot easier to thread the needle. Plus I tend to use a needle with a big eye in it.

I do remember the series of threads you are talking about about though.

Thanks for the reply.
The difference is that tapering the thread thins a longer portion of thread which not only should make threading the needle easier, more importantly it means you don't have a double thickness of thread to pull through the leather. It makes that bulge one gets where the thread fold back over the needle a lot smaller.
I say "should make" threading the needle easier because this is where I sometimes have issues. Even though I wax the thread, sometimes the needle eye will grab the end of one of the thread plies while threading creating a mess and grief.

 

[Artificer]

Thanks for the reply.
The difference is that tapering the thread thins a longer portion of thread which not only should make threading the needle easier, more importantly it means you don't have a double thickness of thread to pull through the leather. It makes that bulge one gets where the thread fold back over the needle a lot smaller.
I say "should make" threading the needle easier because this is where I sometimes have issues. Even though I wax the thread, sometimes the needle eye will grab the end of one of the thread plies while threading creating a mess and grief.

I think the following website will give you the info you look for on tapering thicker thread:





Here's other sites for threading and locking needles:







Gus

 

[Brokennock]

I think the following website will give you the info you look for on tapering thicker thread:





Here's other sites for threading and locking needles:







Gus

Thanks Gus.
I'll heck that 1st video a little later.
I rarely have issues threading a needle, unless a wild ply end catches. I like the tapered thread for how it gives less material to pull through the hole in the leather.