Saddle stitch

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

Saddle stitches on a dog collar

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]

Notes

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

References

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