How to Sew a Tunnel Stitch on Leather

The tunnel stitch - a slightly different version of the double needle stitch - is used to join two adjacent pieces of leather. From the right side of the piece, it appears that the two edges are merely laid side by side. The stitching is visible only from the back.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Flat Work Surfaces
• Leather Sewing Needle
• Leathers
• Waxed Thread
• Beeswax
• Sinew
• Awl
• Rulers

1. See "How to Use a Stitching Awl in Leatherwork," under Related eHows, for instructions on marking the placement of the stitching line. The marks should be made on the back of the leather.

2. Push the stitching awl down into the leather at one of the hole markings. Stop when the awl point has pierced half the thickness of the leather.

3. Keep the awl inserted into the leather and push the awl tip out toward the edge of the leather. The awl tip should be perpendicular to the edge as it emerges from the leather. Withdraw the awl and repeat this procedure for each hole marking.

4. Lay the two pieces of leather side by side with the right sides down on a flat work surface. The punched edges should be next to each other and lined up evenly.

5. Thread one leather-stitching needle or harness needle with either waxed linen thread or artificial sinew. Do not knot the thread end.

6. Pass the threaded needle through the first stitching hole. The needle will pass through one hole, out through the leather edge, and in and out through the corresponding edge and stitching hole.

7. Draw the threaded needle out the corresponding hole far enough so that an equal amount of thread protrudes from each piece of leather.

8. Thread the free end of the sinew or thread with a second needle and work the remainder of the holes as you would a double needle stitch. See "How to Sew a Double Needle Stitch in Leatherwork" for instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose needles and thread that are matched in diameter to the diameter of the stitching hole.

• Use artificial sinew on rigid leathers only. This type of thread is very strong and may cut through softer leathers.

• Set your stitching line approximately 1/8 inch from the leather edge.

• Punch a set of stitching holes, stitch through them, and then punch the next set. If you punch all of the stitching holes at once, the leather will contract over time and the hole may end up being narrower than it was when you punched it.

• Practice this stitch on scrap leather before using it on your project.

• Rub the awl with beeswax to ease its penetration of thicker leathers.