Questions and answers from Facebook

“Question for the leather craftsman in the group. What’s your go to thread and do you use different types and thicknesses for different projects? I have tried several different brands, sizes, and shapes of artificial sinew, cotton, polyester, and even hemp cord, prewaxed and not. Only one of the threads I used, that I have seemed to continually fall back on and I for the life of me do not recall exactly what it is or where I got it. Other than I am pretty certain it was a flat waxed beige cotton about .8mm. So looking for replacement options and just curious.
Thanks,
John”

— John Hoff

Here are some of the most informative comments from the post.

Terry Sorchy uses Waxed Linen Thread

Foy Southard - “Artificial sinew”

Brian Jensen “For leatherwork I split my artificial sinew, then double it, wax it and stitch. If I’m doing beadwork I use nymo beading thread from Crazy Crow. Usually size “B”. If I’m doing quillwork I use silk, (slides easier), nymo or real sinew”

GJ Tingler “ To be period correct it would be Linen thread or real sinew from deer or Elk “

Steve Hamm “Waxed linen for cowhide belts, holsters and knife sheaths, faux sinew for commercially tanned deer hide, real sinew for deer rawhide and soap tan (is like brain).”

Randall Arthur - “I like the artificial sinew, but I'm constantly using the waxed braided cord from Tandy just because it's everywhere in my shop. That's for hand stitching.

In the machine, we use heavy nylon.”

Shelly Gier “For the most part, my go-to is Crawford waxed Irish linen thread (4 cord), especially topstitching and whipstitching . For finer and smaller stitches I use Barbour’s hand shoe flax thread (number 10) or Fil au Chinois (“Lin cable”). For interior seams and courser exterior ones, I use a stand and linen thread on a giant spool that I wax.

As a rule, if it melts with a lighter, it shouldn’t be used for period pieces. But for modern ones, there are some good choices there. I prefer Galaces thread 0.65. Click here for Crawford Waxed Irish Linen Thread”

Leroy Bosanko “I ONLY use 4 or 5 strand Barbour's Pure Flax Linen Sinew that I hand wax with pure bees wax. This is about as P/C as I can get. Some of my items in the past were sewn with Elk sinew but only if the buyer requested so.”

R L Garritson “For most of my projects, I use linen thread. I wax it to strengthen and make for smooth stitching and it's historically correct. For Native American projects I use real sinew when I can get it, artificial when I can't.”

Garrett Petrie “I prefer a linen bookbinder's thread, most of the time. I use different things for different reasons, but if I had to say what I use most often, that would be it.”

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