Awl & Hide

Cutting & Stitching

The two skills the whole craft rests on. These guides cover cutting clean straight lines and smooth curves with a sharp knife against a steel rule, marking and punching even stitch holes with a diamond chisel or pricking iron, and sewing the saddle stitch by hand. We walk the saddle stitch slowly because it is the one that matters: done right, it holds long after a single line of machine stitching would have unravelled, and it is genuinely satisfying to do. You will also learn thread choice, needle handling, and how to backstitch and finish a seam so it does not pull loose.

Cutting & Stitching

8 guides
Cutting & Stitching

How to Backstitch and Lock Off a Leather Seam

Learn how to finish a leather stitch cleanly with backstitching and lock-off knots so your seam never unravels.

July 2, 2026
Cutting & Stitching

How to Glue Leather Before Stitching

Learn how to glue leather before stitching with contact cement or leather glue, including prep, application, and ventilation safety for beginners.

June 28, 2026
Cutting & Stitching

How to Use a Leather Cutting Knife (and Keep It Sharp)

Learn how to cut leather cleanly with a head knife or utility knife, plus the sharpening routine that keeps your blade ready for every project.

June 25, 2026
Cutting & Stitching

How to Cut Leather Cleanly: A Beginner's Guide

Learn how to cut leather cleanly: the right knives, cutting surfaces, technique, and the common beginner mistakes to avoid.

June 24, 2026
Cutting & Stitching

How to Mark and Punch Even Stitching Holes

Learn how to punch stitching holes in leather with perfect spacing: marking the stitch line, using pricking irons, and handling corners cleanly.

June 17, 2026
Cutting & Stitching

What Thread to Use for Hand-Stitching Leather

Choosing the best thread for leather stitching: linen vs polyester vs nylon, waxed vs unwaxed, size charts, and how much to cut per seam.

June 13, 2026
Cutting & Stitching

Pricking Irons vs Stitching Chisels: What to Buy First

Pricking irons vs stitching chisels explained for beginners: how each tool works, which spacing to choose, and what to buy first.

June 9, 2026
Cutting & Stitching

How to Hand Stitch Leather: The Saddle Stitch Explained

Learn how to saddle stitch leather step by step: the two-needle method, thread length, punching, and locking off for a stitch that outlasts a sewing machine.

June 5, 2026

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