CapScale. Attaching Scales by Stitching

This instructable is promissed continuation to How to Make Scale Armor From Bottle Caps, so I recommend to go and check it up to have an Idea of what I'm talking about here. To take a look at another two, you can visit these links:

- CapScale. Attaching scales by lacing.
- CapScale. Attaching scales by riveting.

Here I'm continuing my exploration of different ways of attaching scales to the padding, and want to present three alternative options on stitching them:

- With one needle

- With two needles (Saddle stitch)

- With sewing awl

But first we have to prepare the scales for stitching. I've already showed how to dome tham in the original instructable. Now we need to flatten the top portion of the cap/ for which I'm using pliers.

With a sturdy awl three holes are made than on the flattened spot in one line. Make sure, the holes are wide enough to put the needle/ you're going to use through.

As I said, different materials can be used for the padding. If it's leather, premaking holes for stitching can save you a lot of efforts.

I'm using this relatively thin piece of leather to make the details a bit clearer on the photos.

Stitching with one needle.

Take a needle with a thread in it (the knot is on the other side) and poke it through the first hole on the left in the scale from behind the padding. Then, around the edge of the scale to the left, and through the padding to the back. Then, from the back through the second hole on the scale, than to the back through the first one. This is the pattern, repeat it untill the end of the row.

The main advantage of stitching with one needle, is that is much easyer than with two other methods to operate, especially, when sewing large pieces.

The disadvantage is that it leaves a bit sloppy seam on the behind with long sections of thread being just hanging there/ wauting to be snipped with something.

Two needle stitching (Saddle stitch)

Secure two needles on both ends of the thresd. Pull one needle through the padding at the left from the scale. Equalize the lenght of the thread on the back and on the front. Make the first stitch with the needle on the front through the first hole inthe scale on the left and through the padding to the back. Make then a stitch with a needle on the back through the same opening from the back to the front. Make sure to not sew through the thread itself or use needles with dullen points. Repeat till the end of the row.

The advantage of two needle stitching compared to one needle is that the seam is more consistant and holds scales more firmly. It gives nice uniform seam that's flush to surface. It is esyer to operate than with sewing awl. It suits better (as far as I can imagine) for being used with leather rather than layers of fbric.

Disadvantages are: It's haredr to operate two needles than one on large pieces; it requires some practice to get the skill.

Stitching with sewing awl.

I'm showing this option mostly because I've made a sewing awl not so long ago for different project (here's an instructable) and now exploring, what use can I make of it elsewhere. But it's a viable option anyway.

First - install the thread into the awl, pulling one half of it's lenght through the needle. Pierse the padding at the left from the scale and than pull the awl somewhat back to create a loop. Pull than the loop to pull the half of the thread to the back of the padding (choose the correct one). Attach the needle to this end of the thread.

Now, pull the awl all the way backfor the needle leave the padding. Then pierce the scale through the first hole on the left and then through the padding. Pull the awl back a little. Pull then the thread that is on the back through the loop. Pull the awl back and pull both threads to tigthen the stitch. This the sewing technique, repeat untill the end of the row.

The advantage of using sewing awl is that it makes really easy to puncture throught layers of tough material, and the sewing technique provides no necessasrity to find the right way for the needle when sewing back through the same hole. It makes the usage of sewing awl (in my opinion) a better option if padding is made of many layers of fabric. It producer even, firm and flush seam. Also, you need to have a sewing awl.

The main disadvantage is that it's a bit hard to operate the tool' especially if workpieces are not secured in some sort of a jig. Also it requires more skills to sew with an awl than other two alternatives.

And here's all three options on one piece for comparition.

I'm not sure how long the thread can hold before being cutted with the edges of the cap, but I can reccomend to put a drop of CA glue on the stitching in places, where it contacts those edges after the stitching is done. It will soak into the thread and strenghten it after drying.

There's one more attaching method I want to present, so I'll keep working on that soon. But this is it for now. Thanks for your attention and have a nice I have no idea.

And if you feal like I'm doing something useful and you want to see me doing more of that, please, concidere to support me on patreon. I always have new Ideas and willing to explore new crafts and stuff, so even with some humble extra budget I'll have more directions to explore and efforts to spend on my projects.