I just bought a stitching clam which I like as it is easier to stitch bigger or more awkward items than the stitch pony I made myself. The problem, as i have heard others mention is that you cannot see the other side of the leather you are stiching. As a result I am finding it hard to judge putting my needle through from the rear. It can take many attempts befoire my needle finds the awl hole and sometimes I simply have to lift the leather ans look at the other side. Any tips for this or is it simply a matter of repeated practice.
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@Leathercraft Masterclass @Fadi Is it more difficult would you say to chase a needle than an awl? I stitched blindly with pre-punched holes yesterday and I really wished that I knew that technique. 😬
@mt63 The needle shouldn't find the awl hole, it should find the awl. Once the awl is removed, the needle falls into the void left behind.
I assume since you mention the awl that you are using one, if not then stitching on a 45 degree angle without one can be challenging at first.
In archery there is a division that uses a bow without sights, the technique is called instinctive shooting. Similarly, without an awl you rely on pure hand-eye coordination, and as @Fadi mentions, this is down to time invested into practice.
I think it is repeated practice.
It is like when you first start learning to stitch, you have to look everytime to make sure than the needle is going in the exact hole you want and you are not skipping a hole. After a while, you become able to stitch while watching a movie or focusins on something else. It comes with practice.
Same for chasing the awl with the needle, a bit of practice and you will be good at it in no time