Saddle stitch explained

Saddle stitch is a hand-sewing stitch commonly used in bookbinding, saddle and bridle making, leathercraft, and shoemaking.

Structure

Saddle stitch uses two threads in alternating running stitches through a single line of holes. The holes may be created by the sewing needles themselves in lighter materials, or by an awl,^[1] pricking iron,^[2] or stitching iron^[3] in thicker materials, such as leather.

Compared to the more common lockstitch often sewn by machine, breaking one side of a saddle stitch loosens only one side of the stitch, rather than several surrounding stitches on both sides.^[4]

Standardization

One variant of the saddle stitch, with threads running parallel, rather than twisting, is designated stitch number 201 by ISO 4915:1991.^[5]

References

• Book: Armitage, Nigel. 2020. Leathercraft: Traditional Handcrafted Leatherwork Skills and Projects. Schiffer Craft. 9780764360398.
• Book: Michael, Valerie. 1993. The Leatherworking Handbook: A Practical Illustrated Sourcebook of Techniques and Projects. Cassell Illustrated. 9781844034741.
• Book: Stohlman, Al. 1976. The Art of Hand Sewing Leather. Tandy Leather Co.. 9781892214911.

Notes and References

1. Stohlman 1976, p. 4.
2. Michael 1993, p. 47.
3. Armitage 2020, p. 39.
4. Stohlman 1976, p. 3.
5. Web site: ISO 4915:1991 Textiles — Stitch types — Classification and terminology . . 1991 .