A sewing awl is a thin piece of a metal shaft that narrows towards its end. Thus, it has a sharp pointy end. At its pointed end, the awl has an eye-piercing. This aids in the drawing of thread through holes for stitching purposes.
A sewing awl is basically a tool used to poke holes in heavy fabrics. For example, after losing weight, your belt might no longer fit. This is where you use the awl to punch more holes on the belt, for it to fit the waist. An awl can also be used to enlarge existing holes.
If you deal with leather, you need to have leather tool kits to help you do your work with this. In this guide, I will show you how to use a leather sewing awl to get the best results.
Let's Know How To Use A Leather Sewing Awl
Now that you know what a sewing awl is, you must be wondering how it works. The good news is, it is not as hard as you think. First of all, you need to learn how to hold the awl correctly.
You then get the sewing awl ready for work. In this case, its work is to sew leather. To do this, you'll need to identify the various parts of the awl. These parts are; a large thick needle, a contoured handle, a spool, usually equipped with thick thread between them.
Preparing the sewing awl for work
Unbolt the spool. Remove the thread as you simultaneously guide its way into the core opening. Return the spool to its position and replace the bolt. Insert the needle, with the help of the wrench or pliers. Finally, run the waxed cord into the blade eye.
Ensure the thread flows down via the bezel and core opening. This will aid to make the needlework easier.
Sewing with A sewing awl
On the leather material to be stitched, make the markings using the spool wheel. These markings will help guide on where the awl should stitch through. Thus, they enhance accuracy. To stitch the fabric, simply pierce the sewing awl through the markings made.
Drag the cord from the first piercing. Work the blade through the second hole and drag the cord towards the improvised loop. Pull back the sewing awls blade. This forms a lock stitch.
Repeat the procedure onto the next holes, with the guide of marked spots and joints. Stitch backward severally to ensure the stitches are locked and to ensure you have a secure ending. When you are done with all the markings, you can proceed to cut the suture off.
Benefits of a Sewing Awl
A sewing awl has widely become a preferred tool for several households. It is normally used by the cobblers and in other industries working with leather and canvas. Some of the reasons it is widely preferred include;
It is convenient. The sewing awl is versatile. It can be used to perform various tasks and not limited to one purpose. It comes in handy when you lack a purpose-oriented tool at hand, yet in need to repair a fabric.
Sewing awl can be used on basically any thick material. This ranges from leather to canvas, duck cloth, or cowhide fabrics.
A sewing awl also makes strong lockstitches and thus ensure that the ends are secured. This makes it a preferred tool if you want to make durable stitches.
Sewing awls take up a few minutes of your time. After marking the fabric, all you need do is to punch the holes then sew through. Unlike ordinary needles, the sewing awl makes the holes and the seams simultaneously. It, therefore, saves on the time taken.
Using a sewing awl is also an affordable procedure. Rather than buying all the needles and machines that perform a specified function, a sewing awl will do. It can play the role of all those stitching tools.
Final Words
A sewing awl is perfect for every stitching purpose in the household. It works best on heavy materials. With the guide on how the awl works, it should be easier to decide which tool to use for your sewing functions.
