The Art of Saddle Stitching Tutorial: How to professionally hand stitch leather goods Peter Nitz 

Honestly Sir, I have been leather working for about 4 years now and have literally watched dozens of videos on saddle stitching from all of the pros. I was initially skeptical that I would see anything different here. Well, I am officially and pleasantly surprised! I appreciate your attention to detail and your careful explanations with regard to avoiding common mistakes. You have my gratitude and my subscription.

Best spent 23 minutes of my life. You think you know how to saddle stitch properly, until you see this video and pick up the best tips ever. Thank you Peter Nitz! Gussets tutorial, here I come.

I also am a leatherworker and I also have seen many videos which attempt to teach the saddle stitch. This one is among the best. In particular you do a great job of showing exactly how the needles and thread behave within the holes. In many, the "instructor" simply says to for a cross with the needles and then insert the second needle back into the hole but they neglect to explain exactly where that second needle goes, and how to help prevent piercing the thread in doing so. Kudos on a very nice, detailed tutorial. A beginner could use just this one video and achieve presentable stitches almost immediately. So long as they follow your method, that is!

This is far and away the most practical saddle stitch video I have seen. Well done.

Something that may seem obvious but when mentioned (which is not very often) is not emphasized enough is to use the correct needle size to match the thread and pricking iron size. My frustration with errant stitches ended when I realized that a John James 002 needle (1.0mm diameter) was too large for 0.45mm linen thread and a 3.0 pricking iron. A 004 needle (0.84mm/0.86mm diameter) solved the problem. A needle that is too thick will interfere with how the thread lies in the slot, causing stitches every now and then not to slant properly.

I’m a bespoke tailor and when waxing thread to make button holes and sewing buttons on I use beeswax only. After applying the wax I take some linen cloth and strip up and down the thread applying pressure as you do but with great speed. The speed generates friction which melts the beeswax and makes the thread super smooth. Some tailors run the thread under the iron which achieves the same result. Watching you stitch and talk about getting the tension reminds me of hand button hole makers, it took me nearly a year working every day to get a perfect buttonhole every time. There’s no substitute for repetitive muscle memory skills!

This is quite possibly the best saddle stitching guide I have seen in a long time. Getting that slant on both sides has been pretty hit or miss as there are so many factors to consider. But your advice is best: "get as much stitching under your belt as possible, and you'll figure it out."

As a beginner I have not seen anyone that explained the saddle stitch as well as you have done it. Also preparing the thread with the two waxes I have not seen before. Thank you for showing it so clearly.

I'm so tired of hearing people say a 'this is how I do it but there's no right way or wrong way so long as it works for you'. Leatherwork is a craft! Of course there is! Thank you for actually demonstrating proper technique instead of encouraging me to waste my time futzing about like a lost child.

It’s already been said, but sir you have the best video on saddle stitching on RU-vid. Thank you for helping to understand the stitch.

Saddle sticking is like stringing a shoe lace. Thanks for the video. I appreciate the detailed explanations.

I discovered your work after reading Bringing Home the Birkin about 10-years ago. I became obsessed with maroquinerie! I invested thousands of dollars on tools, threads, hides and skins. Needless to say, I fumbled with the craft. I would quit projects in frustration and didn’t touch the tools for months at a time. I needed training. RU-vid has myriad amateur crafters posting tutorials, but masters? Not a single one. Until now. I’m beyond pleased that you’ve opened the world of this craft to all (that are willing to pay). All the best.

How can you not like a guy that sports a bicycle handlebar Stache - I had one years ago as well. Good video Mr. Nitz.

As a newbie to leatherworking the stitching was awkward. I watched several tutorials but didn't seem to get it. Yours is the first tutorial I watched that explained the reason to cross the thread over the needle to get angled stitches on both sides versus angled one side and straight on the other side. I had been wondering all this time what the purpose of crossing over the thread was and it was confusing. Thank you for your excellent tutorial, it is the best one I've watched by far.

What shame there are other saddle stitching videos that took my time before I found yours, great job, this was the final nudge I needed to be able to go and start spending money on your courses 🔥😍 now I know they will be wonderful.

The most deep and clear video that I never had seen... SO instructive! thanks!

I'm a bit late to this party but this is, without a doubt, the best video I've found on saddle stitching. You showed from multiple views with close-ups that provided a clear example of the right - and wrong - way to stitch . . . both the actions and the end result. And, you did an explanation of the way to prep the thread and needles explaining the finer points of securing the thread to the needle and waxing the thread. Some of the videos I've watched recently now make a whole lot more sense. Beyond that, you didn't even bother to edit out the blooper. Gotta love a presenter who can laugh at himself and throw in a bit of self-deprecating humor. 😀

I have watched so many conflicting videos on hand stitching and this is by far the best. Most videos just give a rushed tutorial with no actual teaching and I come away with no confidence. Watching yours identified the issues I've had immediately. This video compared to others is definitely an example of the "give the man a fish, teach a man to fish" scenario. Thank you sir.

This video is the single-most informative video that helped me saddle stitch reliably with correct, repeatable stitches. Thank you!

Out of 8 videos, this was it! Great teacher man. Thank you!

You sir are a lifesaver. I have watched many stitching tutorials since I started this new hobby, one month ago. After watching them?.. I didn't know wether to wind my watch or scratch my bum...Thankfully I came across your channel by accident. Result? .. stitching problem solved. So my friend you have one new subscriber. Cheers. 🇬🇧

Very helpful video. The different camera angles, the explanation, showing pitfalls, and I swear, the emphasis on the elbows up helped me.

What a fantastic video- you (obviously) know it inside and out and have a perfectly measured delivery of all the essential information. Love that you keep the language simple while demonstrating this professional technique. Thanks for your excellent teaching!

Masterful demonstration with excellent photography. I’m a beginner who has watched several videos in an effort to understand clearly what I need to do. Only yours clarifies, in detail, how I can obtain the best results. Thank you for this!

you deserve more likes

I have been looking for the holy grail on how to actual break down the efficient way to saddle stitch. Having consumed hours upon hours of RU-vid videos, books galore, and hundreds of my own hours saddle stitching I never figured out, seen, read or heard such great advice as yours is here. - Humbly I thank you.

Just learning g leather and watched other vids and just couldn't get it. This is a great, detailed and step by step explanation.

I can't even count how many dozens of saddle stitching tutorials I have watched, many of them repeatedly. Still I have never been happy with my stitching. So I decided to start from scratch and relearn it all. Finally happened on your video. Hands down the very best one out there. I'm only on my first project since following your instructions but I have seen remarkable improvement. Still not perfect but nicer than a lot of what I see out there. So now I know what perfection looks like and how to get there.

Best saddle stitch video on the internet, thank you! Crystal clear instruction, camera work, and cadence, no nonsense, no self promo. Liked and subbed, great work Sir!

This is the best tutorial I have seen to date. I am so fortunate to have seen this early in my hobby so I don't develop bad habits.

By far the best video. Thank you much.

Just absolutely an amazing tutorial! I am new to leather work and have watched a lot of saddle sticking tutorials, they all either don’t show enough or go way to fast. It’s really nice how you find the median… my leather stitching has gone up tremendously! Thank you

Amazingly clear, concise and beautiful stitching tutorial. Hand stitching well is an art in and of itself. Thank you so much

Stitching master class. Bravo!

Brilliant tutorial. I have seen many many videos on saddle stitching but nobody ever pointed out angle stich V straight stich as you have. Thanks

Awesome, comprehensive, and useful!

Thank you for sharing this very informative video. I am learning from you. May God continue to bless you and your channel..

Didn't know that stitching can be that good

Thank you very much for your thorough instruction! I am about to restore a baseball glove that I own and have used for 45 years. I am learning so much about leather repair and stitching. Thanks again!

Actually this is her husband Joaquin Perez who is the beginner of leather craft. I have never work on leather before in my life and when i purchased my first Harley-Davidson leather belt, i was so impressed of the leather works that went into making it. I got interested about leather work..., I started purchasing all of the leather tools and supplies on line and now I have quite a bit to start with. I have been watching your tube on leather saddle stitching and I have a learned a bit by practicing daily for hours. I watch yours and i like your techniques and styles. I am still practicing daily and I have learned a lot from you... by watching your you tube video. Thank you. I would like a copy of your video on hand stitching and videos that I can learn from. Joaquin Perez

Best saddle stiching tutorial on earth (and over the internet). Dot. Thanks for sharing it, you got my subscription.

Fantastic video! Thank you!

Excellent video, thank you.

Very cool!!

Awesome tutorial! By far the one with the most attention to detail! Thanks for the info

Thank you for sharing your experience!

Love this thanks

Neat crafting. Love it.

Thank you ❤👍

Bravo, Mr. Nitz. I've seen thousands of vids and learned a bunch of crafts from RU-vid--this is as good as they get. You seem secure in yourself, and humble, so I won't go on about it. Are you left-handed? You hold the hammer in your left hand, but then the awl is in your right hand. Is the video reversed? Are you ambidextrous? Are you working backwards for the tutorial? ('cause that would be some Inigo Montoya shit.)

Excellent video!

Very nice video, thanks

I have to say that if you are stitching thin leathers, it is very hard to make both sides angled unless you prick the two pieces separately. It is only possible to stitch as one side straight/ angled even when casting the thread if you just prick both layers at once.

9:40 got my upvote!

Thank you. Clear instruction on this technique. Off to sew the vamps to the midsoles on my shoes.

Thanks for the vid been starting to make knife sheaths but want to learn more this def helps

Your have done amazing work !! Thank you so much 🙏👍

Awesome video for us newbies, thank you so much!

Thank you so much for this! Now I know why my stitches got wonky at places!

Thank you for your clear & concise presentation. Subscribed.

Also consistent tension great tip thanks I have just subscribed to you're channel can't wait to learn more from you

Oh wow so glad I found Peter’s channel... awesome

This video is a very thorough explanation of the technique of saddle stitching. Wonderful examples and step by step walk through. My stitching noticeably improved after going through the motions along in real time with the video. It's the subtle nuances that make a world of difference. Your truly a Master of the Craft. Thank you so much!

#1 Thank you for taking the time to do this video. #2 Majestic moustache! Bees wax? #3 From the fact your thread broke and you used adhesive to seal your back stich, I’m assuming you’re using linen thread rather than polyester? If so, nice! While I understand that polys can be stronger, I like the idea of sewing a natural product like leather with a natural thread. I love Fil Au Chinois. I apricate you have a business to run, and food to put on the table, so this is just a polite ask. Would you please consider expanding on this video in a couple of ways? What’s your advice when it comes to thread breaking on a real project, how would you deal with that? Let’s say you want to make a wallet with some reasonably thick leather and you want both sides to have nice stitching. I’ve seen videos where a chisel is used to pierce each piece of leather separately. Would you recommend this if you were using French pricking irons? Thanks again for the great video! 🤩

I thought I knew how to stitch, but this video made me realize I really don't haha, thanks a lot for the video. Hello from México 🇲🇽

Thank you so much for this

Thanks Peter! Excellent

This helps alot. Cheers!

Nice tutorial, mr Nitz! 👍

Wonderful, thank you.

Just incredibly detailed and excellent teaching. Thank you!

Extraordinary. I started a leather business but always used other people to create my samples. Getting ready to learn to do it on my own. What a video. Love the waxing detail. Beautiful

Amazing video, thanks a lot for taking your time to explain everything in details. This helped me understand why my stitching on the back side was straight, which doesn't look optimal for me. I also think that I've learned something new from every segment of the video. Great job!

Excellent tutorial... thank you!

Awesome explanation, idiot proof I understood it lol Thanks for the video

I understand why my stiches at back side is not as good as front side.. I was using T shape for needles but without rotating thread ..Thanks for your detailed presentation

Top info! Thanks a lot!

Fantastic tutorial. Thanks

Watching your video very well explained nice video thank you.

Excellent tutorial! Subscribed !!

You are very good teacher thanks a lot sir

I learn stitches this day thank

Peter thank you for sharing this knowledge. I appreciate you taking the time to teach us newlings on how to craft leather. P.S. I lol'd when the thread broke 🤣🤣🤣 You're such a joy to watch. Thank you and happy holidays 🎄🎅🎁🎉❤🙏

Thank you. You amazing 😻

Best instructions ever!!! So good!

Liked & subbed. Outstanding presentation in all respects.

Dear Peter, thank you for this amazing tutorial! You inspire us to make handmade bags. The quality of your work is amazing! Please tell me how many layers of paint you usually apply on the ends of the parts?

I sort of do a reverse of your style - I push the needle through from the front to open up the hole and then push the left needle through the hole opened. Then I catch the thread and on both sides of the leather , pulled up tight, and pass the other needle through underneath. I then pull the stitch tight with the front side hand down and the rear side up at an angle of about 30 degrees.

Thanks to this video I now understand where I can improve my practice THANKS A LOT !

Thanks Peter! Excellent explanation 😊 G

Loooooooveeeee iiiiitttt... Thank you!!!

Very good video.

Frend, thank you much!

10-4 Thank you Peter awesome delivery of very useful info 👍.

I'm so pleased by your tutorial.you explained a clear point of view.keep it up

Awesome video Does having your stitch pony at an angle make a difference to the stitch angle when you pull your arms away to tighten the stitch to get the angled stitch on both sides, so if the Pony was upright would you still pull your arms away at the same height as each other when pulling the thread through? Thx

Very much appreciated video sir,, I want to know about which of punch would be right for punching? like we have punches of different sizes like 2.7MM, 3.0MM, 3.38MM, or 3.85MM. The one you taught first on green leather. Thanks

I wish you could do a slow motion on your back stitch. What kind of glue?

Good job, well done. Regards from Terminga!

This tutorial is absolutely beautiful