How Does an Automatic Sewing Awl Work?
An automatic sewing awl or stitching awl is a hand-held tool used to stitch heavy-duty materials such as leather or canvas. The sewing awl can handle materials that you should avoid using on a traditional sewing machine. Does this Spark an idea?
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Function
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A sewing awl features a small handle for control and a metal shaft with interchangeable needles. Each needle features an eye at the tip to pull thread through -- usually a waxed thread. Once the thread is in place, and the sewing awl is placed on the material, the tool automatically creates a lock stitch and the user begins to guide the hand held tool in the same fashion as if using a sewing machine.
Uses
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Because sewing awls are made for stitching thick materials such as leather and canvas, the tool is popular for mending items such as shoes, bags, jackets and other heavy-duty products. The sewing awl is also often used by shoemakers and is even sometimes used in the print industry to bind books.
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Considerations
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Be sure you have the appropriate needles and thread on hand for the material you will be stitching. For heavy canvas or shoes stick with a regular needle and 0.8 millimeter waxed thread. For light canvas, bags and jackets use a fine needle with 0.5 millimeter waxed thread. For materials such as thin leather use a very fine needle with polyester thread.
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References
- Photo Credit cross stitch embroidery image by vnlit from Fotolia.com
