How to Hand Sew Leather

Start the Guide
hand sew leather

How to Hand Sew Leather

Hand sewing your leather projects! How to get started. Check out www.highonglue.com

8.2k Views
Step 1 of 15
Glue the pieces in place. Any craft glue usually works. Check the label.

Glue the pieces in place. Any craft glue usually works. Check the label.

Step 2 of 15
If you have a stitching groover, cut the groove. If you don't have one, mark the leather somehow (ruler or something that lets you control the distance to the edge of the leather & keep it consistent)

If you have a stitching groover, cut the groove. If you don't have one, mark the leather somehow (ruler or something that lets you control the distance to the edge of the leather & keep it consistent)

Step 3 of 15
Use a stitching wheel to mark where you will make the stitches. You can also use the awl to mark the leather and measure the distances with a ruler if you don't have a stitching wheel.

Use a stitching wheel to mark where you will make the stitches. You can also use the awl to mark the leather and measure the distances with a ruler if you don't have a stitching wheel.

Step 4 of 15
Prepare your thread with one needle on each end. (I have another guide that shows you how to thread your needles)

Prepare your thread with one needle on each end. (I have another guide that shows you how to thread your needles)

Step 5 of 15
Leather is thick and you'll have to use an awl to pierce it. Always pierce the leather as straight as possible to achieve even stitches. Use left hand to support the leather on the other side.

Leather is thick and you'll have to use an awl to pierce it. Always pierce the leather as straight as possible to achieve even stitches. Use left hand to support the leather on the other side.

Step 6 of 15
Pull the needle through first hole and line up the thread in the centre (same length on both sides). Note: I'll refer to the needle in your right hand as needle 2 and in your left hand as needle 1

Pull the needle through first hole and line up the thread in the centre (same length on both sides). Note: I'll refer to the needle in your right hand as needle 2 and in your left hand as needle 1

Step 7 of 15
Pierce the next hole using your awl and push the left needle (needle 1) through while holding the needle 2 behind it. In the next step you will hold both needles in your right hand.

Pierce the next hole using your awl and push the left needle (needle 1) through while holding the needle 2 behind it. In the next step you will hold both needles in your right hand.

Step 8 of 15
Once you pulled the needle through the hole, twist your right hand (holding both needles) towards you and push needle 2 through the same hole as the thread. Be careful not to pierce the thread!

Once you pulled the needle through the hole, twist your right hand (holding both needles) towards you and push needle 2 through the same hole as the thread. Be careful not to pierce the thread!

Step 9 of 15
This is another view of needle 2 going through the same hole. Note that the needle is closer to you than the thread. Don't switch that around or your stitches will be uneven.

This is another view of needle 2 going through the same hole. Note that the needle is closer to you than the thread. Don't switch that around or your stitches will be uneven.

Step 10 of 15
This is what it looks like before you pull the thread all the way through.

This is what it looks like before you pull the thread all the way through.

Step 11 of 15
Pull the thread tight and repeat steps 7-11

Pull the thread tight and repeat steps 7-11

Step 12 of 15
When you're finished, back stitch 2 stitches to secure the thread. Use the awl to enlarge the holes if needed.

When you're finished, back stitch 2 stitches to secure the thread. Use the awl to enlarge the holes if needed.

Step 13 of 15
Cut thread as close as you can

Cut thread as close as you can

Step 14 of 15
If you are using polyester thread you might want to burn the ends to keep them from fraying. Be careful not to burn or mark the leather.

If you are using polyester thread you might want to burn the ends to keep them from fraying. Be careful not to burn or mark the leather.

Step 15 of 15
DONE! This is a closeup of the finished stitch. I used the stitching wheel and ran over the thread again. It cleans up the appearance quite well.

DONE! This is a closeup of the finished stitch. I used the stitching wheel and ran over the thread again. It cleans up the appearance quite well.

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

I want you to make things! Custom leatherwork (cases, bags, wallets and sleeves for gadgets).

Keep Exploring

Start Over

10 Comments
Supplies

Leather

1 Stitching wheel (optional)

1 Stitching Groover (optional)

1 Sewing Awl

2 Needles

Waxed thread

1 Scissors

Attila Acs

Hey Kaitlin! I hope you'll give leatherwork a go! I'm working on a tutorial to get people started with as little as possible :) BTW, the camera I use is a 4 year old Pentax K200D. Can't remember the lens. Probably the 50mm F1.7 or something like that.

(author) last year

Kaitlin Heather

Makes me want to work with leather. Also, what camera did you use for your shots?

Kaitlin Heather last year

Kate Richbourg

Great tutorial. Clear and easy to follow!

Kate Richbourg last year

Attila Acs

@Brittany: thanks and you CAN try some leather projects! :D

(author) last year

Attila Acs

Thank you! @Ahson: a set of needles is probably $2, waxed thread $5, awl $15 and the optional stitching wheel & groover around $15 each.

(author) last year

Brittney Riley

I agree with Tommy- so clear and detailed. It makes me feel like I could actually try some leather projects...

Brittney Riley last year

Ahson Saeed

Very nice! How much do all of the tools cost roughly?

Ahson Saeed last year

Wai Ting Tang

Useful❤❤

Wai Ting Tang last year

Tommy W

Your guides are amazing! I love how clear and detailed your instructions are!

Tommy W last year

Jasmine Au

cool!!! :)

Jasmine Au last year

Be first to comment on Step 1.

Jon Drahn

Stitching Groovers are expensive! $30 at my local Tandy shop. I'm going to try a window screen replacement tool and a metal ruler. Decent replacement for a beginner?

Jon Drahn 6 months ago

Attila Acs

No, you do this with dry leather.

(author) last year

Danandayu Triwibowo

Do i have to moisten the leather before using the stitching groover? If so, what moisturiser should i use?

Danandayu Triwibowo last year

Be first to comment on Step 3.

Be first to comment on Step 4.

Be first to comment on Step 5.

Be first to comment on Step 6.

Be first to comment on Step 7.

Be first to comment on Step 8.

Be first to comment on Step 9.

Be first to comment on Step 10.

Be first to comment on Step 11.

Attila Acs

It depends how big the holes were to start with. If it's a bit hard to pull through, you might have to use the awl to make the holes a bit larger (be careful not to pierce the thread that's already there when you do that!)

(author) 4 months ago

James Preston

Would I need to use the awl to make the holes larger before the first stitch is put in place? Or would it be easy enough to do so even after the stitch is in?

James Preston 4 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 13.

Attila Acs

Hi Itszme, once you've done the 2 stitches in the opposite direction, you can just cut the thread and burn the ends. No real need for a knot. I sometimes do add just one normal knot in the last stitch and pull it through into the stitch (so that it's invisible) but they have never come loose so far. Even without any knots

(author) 4 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 15.