For many, do-it-yourself sewing has become a favorite pastime or hobby. However, this process is quite laborious and requires not only perseverance and patience, but also certain skills and knowledge. Experienced needlewomen know that not every material can be pierced or sewn with a sewing needle. For example, to work with leather, fur or cardboard just can not do without an awl.
What is awl?
An awl is a hand tool that is used to pierce or flash thick materials. Outwardly, it resembles a thick needle that is stuck in the handle for convenience and more emphasis. Previously, the handle of the tool was made of wood, now plastic handles are increasingly common. Today, you can buy this tool in any hardware or sewing store, but before you sewed awl with your own hands.
Where is awl used?
Awl has long been used for stitching coarse materials and piercing holes. For a long time, this tool was used in the office. Shila was often used in carpentry and carpentry, but this hand tool is still in great demand among shoemakers and seamstresses.
We sew with an awl correctly
Many needlewomen and sewing masters use such a needle with a handle. But, unfortunately, not everyone knows how to sew with an awl correctly. There are several basic ways to use this tool. We sew an awl with two technologies:
1. Puncture holes and thread the thread by hand. In this case, awls are used only as an auxiliary tool. This method is popularly called grandfather, but many joiners, shoemakers and archive workers again and again resort to this very method.
2. We pierce the hole and use the awl to push the thread into it. This method is the most complex and requires additional skills, because with an awl, you can easily break the thread or damage the material.
We sew with an awl in the way of No. 1:
- first of all, you need to take the awl correctly - the end of the handle should rest on the palm of your hand;
- the tool blade should be at an angle of 45 degrees, the punctures should be uniform so that the stitches of the thread are the same;
- to make it easier to pierce the material, you need to rest your fingers on the fabric from the back with the fingers of the other hand;
- if the awl is stuck in the material, try turning it several times around its axis;
- One hole must be completed in one go, otherwise you will have to spend extra time reworking your work. Holes are best made at a distance of 7-10 mm from each other.
We sew with an awl in the way No. 2:
- we make holes in the material according to the technology described above;
- with the end of the awl blade we pry the thread and carefully push it inside. Some shoe makers are working on this technology now, but more often masters use a special tool - a firmware awl.
How to sew with an awl with an eye?
Externally, the piercing awl resembles a fishing hook, which has a special groove for the thread. To learn how to sew with an awl with an eye, you need to master the technique of owning such an instrument. It is best to practice on cardboard or other heavy material first. We sew an awl with an eye:
- pierce the hole in the previous way;
- insert the thread into the groove of the tool;
- do a stretch of thread;
- pull out the awl from the back with the thread in the hook;
- insert the free end of the thread into the formed loop and drag it through;
- on the front side, the loop needs to be pulled out, but on the wrong side - the thread must be kept in a slight tension, and so on, stitch by stitch.
Performing this algorithm of actions, you can quickly learn how to sew with an awl. However, do not forget about safety measures - work with a sharpened tool, but only in a well-lit room. In addition, to make it easier for you to work, the thread can be lowered into the wax, then it will slide more smoothly into the hole.