How to sew Leather with the Speedy Stitcher sewing Awl 

I'm 78. Learned to use this thing at 19 in the military. Deployed all over Asia and the Pacific and used it frequently to repair gear. Went to college and backpacked to 98 countries over the years as well as every State and this thing was often used to repair stuff. I backpacked with my sons and we all used it. I have a great photo taken by my son while on a barge traveling down the Amazon River. I was sewing up a day pack in 2000. Still have that day pack. Still have that awl. None of us would take a trip without it. When I "go", I'll leave the awl and backpack to my sons as a momento of great times together. My stitches were never the straight, neat kind, but they held forever. My thanks to the inventor.

I've been using this little tool and it's predecessor for over 65 years. Your DYI video was absolutely perfect! Thanks.

Thank you so much! My dad didn’t get a chance to teach me *all* of his hobbies so I’m slowly finding out how to use some of these tools of his. I appreciate it!

Great video. I was gifted one from my father. Said he has been using it for about 55 years. Even has original box. Just used it this morning to repair my dogs leash after watching this video.

Thank you. This is the first video I found that goes into the detail of showing which side of the needle should be facing forward and where the slot should be and where to feed the thread on the back side. Thank you very much for that foresight!

I'm here to learn how to repair my car seats that have came unravel and I've found the right video that's going to help me accomplish my job. Thanks for all you do.

WHAT A GREAT TOOL- MINE IS FROM (STEWART MFG, WORCESTER, MASS) .. I'VE HAD THIS FANTASTIC TOOL FOR 30-40 YEARS.. FROM MY FATHERS STASH AFTER PASSING.. NEVER KNEW HOW TO USE IT. I'VE A PAIR OF MOCCASINS THAT THE TOP STITCH BUSTED OUT.. WATCHING YOUR VIDEO ALLOWED ME TO RECOVER AND REPAIR A GOOD PAIR OF WINTER RUN-AROUNDS. NOT THE PRETTIEST OF REPAIRS W/O MULTI-LINE PUNCHES AND GOUGES FOR SEATING THE STITCH , NONE THE LESS THEY ARE REPAIRED THANK YOU FOR SHARING.

I'd never even heard of this tool until watching your video, you revitalized my desire to do leatherwork. Thank you so genuinely much

You've taken the mystery out of sewing leather. Thanks for a great video.!

Thanks so much! Finished my revolver holster today.. Easily the best "speedy stitcher" video on RU-vid.

I tried my sewing machine leather needles (standard shank, not industrial) and they fit perfectly so you can use any size thread/needle, not just the Speedy Stitcher. I find 2 needle saddle stitching very relaxing so hardly use the machine or Speedy Stitcher anymore but after seeing this I will dust it off and have a play ☺

this is the best video on this tool by a long shot. Excellent !!!!

At last a video that I could follow to learn how to use this tool. Thank you for making it and great tutorial.

Excellent, helpful video. I watched almost a dozen video so far and this is the sole understandable one. This is a "how to prepare a video to teach" video. Thank you.

Perfect demo on how to use this tool…I also want to make a Knife Sheath as well as a couple of Holsters..EXCELLENT Video!

Thank you and I appreciate you taking the time to show us this easy stitching method. Kudos

I always come back to this video. I don't do it enough to remember. Thank youl

Great demonstration. I have had this for sometime, and had never researched how to use it, and now I have a video of how to use it. Thanks for posting. I will check-out what else you have.

So smart to use a drill and 1/6 bit to make the holes in leather!! Thank you so much for the idea!

Excellent landscape video. Very well narrated and NO horrible useless background music, Thanks

Best job yet on explaining the use of this tool. Thank you

Thanks a million, I’ve had one for years, unused, because I wasn’t sure how easy it is to use. I subbed and give you a high five. Great video, thanks for sharing!

I really appreciate that you are showing it from different angles . Thanks for explaining the steps in details.

Gee whiz ! I have had one of these rolling around in the bottom of a toolbox for years. Now I know how to use it. Thanks : )

Great video, Thanks. I haven't used my Speedy Stitcher yet, lent it to a mate and she fell in love with it. That's a paddling!

Bought this tool couple years ago when I started leather work, never really learned to use it till today. Thank you

Thank you so much!! Could not figure out the tool until I watched your video :)

Excellent presentation! Great photography & sound. I really appreciate your clear explanation of how to use the tool, including the helpful tips. Someone was kind enough to loan me a car when I was in a bind so I'm going to pay it forward & repair the rotten stitching on the car's convertible top. I used one years ago to fix my own car top so I'm confident I can do it but I forgot how it worked. Thank you so much for taking your time to produce & share this video! It's exactly what I needed! Wishing you abundant Blessings!

This is the best instructional video I’ve ever seen. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing this video. I needed this for a project so just in time.

Excellent demonstration. I never thought that a "Speedy Stitcher" would be faster than using double needles. I have been sewing with double needles for about 45 years but this video intrigued me. I just might get one and try it out on my next pair of moccasins.

I got a Speedy Stitcher from a friend. I haven't had a chance to use it yet. Thank you for the info. Really appreciate it.

Just learned something new! Thank you.

Always wondered how that was done. Great video, thank you!

You are amazing sir. My revolver’s barrel is over 10 inches long and it’s rare finding a holster that will fit the entire thing. Now I’m more confident in making my first holster ever and first leather project in general. Thanks for taking time out of your day to help a fellow out.

Excellent straight forward instructions, thank you.

Thanks for taking the time to post the video. Just what I was looking for. Very informative. Cheers Stuart 🇦🇺

I had a pretty good idea how to stitch using this tool, it's always good to confirm the process. Thanks for the post.

Your tutorial on how to use 'The S.S Sewing Awl' was a great help. I needed to sew a new leather girth strap on my stock saddle, following your guide my saddle looks as good as new. Thanks for the easy to follow tutorial 👍👍👍

I've had one of these for about 20 years. I put a curved needle on the loose end. Just makes it easier to go through the loop. It's slow, but it really is a perfect tool.

That was easier than I thought! Thank you for sharing this video 👍🏻

Excellent demonstration and explanation!Thank you!

Great explanation of how to use the speedy stitcher. Excellent video! Thanks.

Excellent video. Answered every question I had plus some I didn't even think about. Thank you. Thank you very much.

I inherited this tool from my mother-in-law and never knew how to use it. Thank you so much for the visual information!👍

This is great! This opens up a whole new world of DIY for me! I would have never known how to sew leather by hand if not for your video!

Excellent video with clear instructions! Showed me the simple tricks for a better stitch.

Thank you for showing me how to use that I just got one today and I was not sure how to use it and thank you for showing how to tie off the end of the thread 👍👍

Very helpful! I practiced as I was watching! Thanks! 😁

Thank you so much! So many angles! Thorough explanation🙏🏾

Good presentation: clear speech ie., no ahs or ums, concise instructions, good camera work with the exception of focus issues or too low resolution perhaps? You did save me lots of frustration by showing me a few things I was doing wrong. Solid A-

Impressed with the print it's really smooth.

Excellent upload. Informative. Concise. Thank you.

Great demonstation,from begining to end Thanks! I always wanted to know how this tool worked.

Thanks for showing this. I was a Wheelwright many years ago, and I made all the harnessing, seats, made some Saddles. I am going to help a kid down the road with some Tack and I haven’t done this in so long I needed to see how it’s works.

An absolute delight watching your video. Not only is the photography excellent showing the different views; but also your voice and personality is very soothing. Thanks for your work. Bruce the swimmer New Rochelle N.Y.

I am glad to have found this video. I was given one of these, and had no clue how to use it. Thanks!

Very informative video sir , thank you for the different angle shots that makes a big difference..👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Brilliant tutorial and well put together in laymans terms, well spoken clear friendly voice that we can all understand and absorb, a big thank-you for simplifying what some of us would needlessly complicate for ourselves, look forward to watching more of you

This is is great, a lot better than trying to following the instructions that came with mine years ago and the terrible drawings!

Finally figured it out with this video. Thanks man, I was going nuts!

Man, my first attempt with this thing didn’t look as pretty as your sheath, but after about five minutes I got it going! Thanks, very instructive!

the best video I've watched on this subject... thanks!

This is Priceless!!!..Thank you so much!!

Good job As a little kid my Mom had one and I never new what it was used for. I knew it was for sewing but what kind of sewing I didn't know lol Needless to say it isn't around any more😭 Thanks again😇😁😇

Complimenti per la spiegazione semplice e chiara!

This is the second time I watched this. Your tutorial is simply the best, and very helpful. Thank you so much for this. My awl actually did not come with instructions. But, I am a visual learner, anyway. Lol

Very nice! Thanks for taking the time to make this video!

Thanks! I've seen Mom use this, but didn't remember how. I've had hers for years, probably read Directions, but still wouldn't have remembered. Now seeing this, reminded me i have work to do. Yes, Seeing steps done is better, for me, than Reading - my issue is Interpreting what Read. haha

WOW, thank you so much, simple and easy instructions, Keep it coming. and thanks again,

Thank you, a very informative how to sew leather.

Thank you! I kept messing up and this greatly helped

Tats a cool tool and the result is beautiful, nice😀 Greetings from Brazil

Thank you so much for clear instructions! Helped me a lot.

Thanks a lot, mate ! I never bought one of these because I couldn't figure how to use it, although I have so many projects about working leather. I'm buying one right away.

Great Video ! Thank you for taking your time to make it !

Very thorough instructions

Ok, but I have found this super slow. There is a faster way. Tie in the second bent needle into the long section of back thread at the end. This speeds up feeding it thru that tiny loop on the side of the needle. And dropping the needle ( because it has weight ) pulls most of the thread thru for you. I found that doing this simple trick speeds up sewing with this device by up to 300-400% faster. I work close to the edge of a table so the needle has more room to fall and pull all the thread thru for me. This also works great with carpet thread and Kevlar threads. I was able to put new seats in my out door chairs. 4- 14” long seams with 3/16” stitch spacing in about 1 1/2 hours. The vice grips to hold the fabric taught was the hardest part. The first seam took the longest, ( about a half hour ) just cause I wasn’t use to the tool.

Very well made and clear video tutorial, thanks so much for the time and effort you took to do this

Tge back stitch at the end was a great tip! Great video

thanks for making a straight forward instruction video. that was exactly what i was looking for. subscribed.

One thousand thanks' for taking the time to explain which side of the needle the loop will be on for the thread to go through. Sheilah

Excellent description. Thanks.

Thank you very much! Simple clear and illustrative

Thanks buddy going to try to sell my pop-up camper thank you for the detail video much appreciated.

Always wondered how to use this thanks William

Very well explained, thank you

Very useful explanation of how to use this tool! Thanks

Thank you so much, this was very helpful and I have many nice projects

Really good instructions. Thanks.

So helpful!! Thank you!!

Thanks mate. Nice video. Very easy to follow

Excellent presentation! You made it easy for me to understand.

Thank you! I need to make some alterations and repairs on a few heavy, canvas, winter horse blankets. Your video will be very helpful. Many thanks 👍🐎

Great information and tutorial. Many thanks. I can't wait to try this.

Dear sir You are very kind for share this DIY TIP with us. Greetings from Ciudad de México.

Thanks, wonderful video!

Thanks helped me out. Made it easy to understand and yes do it the same way every time helps thank you.

Using an industrial sewing machine needles size 23 . Works well . Just found a 2 needle system . Needle at each end of thread . Pass from side to side .ust try . Great for repairing boat zips etc

nicely done. somebody deserves a thumbs up!