Learn to saddle stitch.

Two needles, one piece of thread. Follow the pictures, then repeat the same stitch along your seam.

Download the printed guidePDF, 2 pages

Thread both needles.

Cut roughly five times the length of the seam. Attach a needle to each end of the same piece of thread.

  1. A thread passing through the needle eye, leaving a short tail.

    Through the eye

    Pass the thread through the eye. Leave a tail about two needle lengths long.

  2. The needle piercing the centre of the short thread tail.

    Pierce the short tail

    Bend the tail back and push the needle through the middle of the thread near its cut end.

  3. The pierced tail slid over the eye to lock the thread onto the needle.

    Pull through to lock

    Slide the pierced tail along the needle and over the eye. Straighten gently to lock. Repeat at the other end.

Start with equal lengths.

Line up the holes through all the leather pieces before you start.

  1. The right needle passing from right to left through the first aligned leather hole.

    Pass through the first hole

    Pass the right needle all the way through the first hole, from right to left, through every piece of leather.

  2. Both threaded ends drawn to equal lengths, one on each side of the leather.

    Pull until equal

    Pull the thread out to either side. Adjust it until you have the same length on each side.

Then repeat this stitch.

Work through the pictures below for each new hole. Take it slowly and keep the thread moving freely.

Two colours show the two ends of one thread.

  1. The right needle checks the next hole through all layers; only its point emerges on the left.

    1. Check the next hole

    Use the right needle to find the next hole through every layer. Only the point needs to emerge on the left. Do not force it.

  2. The left needle follows until about two-thirds of its length emerges on the right.

    2. Follow with the left

    Withdraw the right needle as the left follows through the same hole. Stop when about two-thirds of the left needle is through.

  3. The right needle crosses beneath the emerging left needle before the left needle is pulled clear.

    3. Cross underneath

    Cross the right needle underneath the emerging left needle. Pull the left needle clear and leave slack on the left.

  4. The first thread is drawn gently forwards, leaving a loose loop on the left.

    4. Make room

    Draw the first thread gently towards you to make room behind it. Keep the left loop loose.

  5. The right needle returns through the same hole beside the first thread, with its point on the left.

    5. Return through

    Pass the right needle through the same hole, behind the first thread. Leave its point showing on the left.

  6. A gentle pull checks that the left thread slides freely beside the needle.

    6. Check the thread

    Tug the left thread gently. It should slide freely. If it catches, withdraw the needle and pass beside the thread.

  7. Close-up of the loose left thread passing over the emerging needle and underneath it. The arrow shows the direction of the loop.

    7. Make the loop

    Lift the loose left thread over the emerging needle, then underneath. Keep the wrap open as you pull the needle through.

  8. Both working ends are pulled evenly as the loose loops draw down against the leather.

    8. Tighten and repeat

    Pull both ends evenly until the loose loops draw snug. Move to the next hole and repeat from step 1.

Finish the seam.

At the end, backstitch two stitches, then trim the thread on the least visible side. Ease the needle through one layer at a time.

If the thread catches

You may have pierced a strand. Back the needle out and pass beside it. If the thread is already trapped, unpick or carefully cut out the affected stitches and restitch.

The wooden jaws in the pictures are a stitching pony, used to hold the leather. A pony is not included in the standard kit.