Calculate Thread Length when Saddle Stitching
Calculate How much Thread you need when Saddle Stitching. Never run out again. However long or thick your item is.
The Thread Length Calculator is now an App!!!
Available for your Phone, Tablet or iPad, Android or IOS.
Scan the QR Code below to download the app!
Share it folks, it’s free and may well help people out who struggle with this.
Apple
Android
If you still want to use the website to calculate your thread, everything you need to know is below.
Calculating the amount of thread you need when Saddle Stitching to be able to stitch a specific item correctly can be problematic, and if you get it wrong, disastrous.
Advice that is often given ranges from x4 to x10 often with little consideration of what SPI is being used or the thickness of the item being stitched.
It seems to be mostly guesswork, which is never a good thing. So some years ago, I created a simple formula to help you avoid that most horrendous of games… ‘Thread Chicken’. Never Run Out Again!
This is a much used, tried, tested and above all reliable method to help you with your stitching.
It has been available on Nigel Armitage’s website for some time as a free download and still is.
Now you have a new option, an actual calculator, one that will help you get the correct thread length, every time!
All you need to do is to put in your numbers.
If you are calculating based on known stitch length:
Input the length into the first box.
Add your chosen SPI and thickness of item to be stitched.
Press Calculate based on Length and he presto! the answer appears.
If you are calculating based on hole count:
Add your hole count to the second box.
Choose your SPI and add the thickness of item to be stitched.
Press Calculate Based on Hole Count, and again, your required thread length appears.
The Thread Length Calculator
| Information | Input Values |
|---|---|
| Total Length of Stitching | (mm) |
| Hole Count | |
| Stitch Size spi (mm) | spi (mm) |
| Thickness of Item to be Stitched | (mm) |
| Length of Finishing Thread | (mm) |
| Total Thread Length Needed | (mm) |
The SPI to millimetres is simple enough to find out by looking at your irons if they are modern.
If you are stitching at 7 stitches per inch (SPI), the stitch length will be 3.85mm, this is the distance from centre of hole to centre of hole.
If you are stitching at 10 SPI your Stitch Size will be 2.7mm.
If however, you find your irons are not marked, here is a small guide to assist:
5 spi
6 spi
7 spi
8 spi
9 spi
10 spi
11 spi
12 spi
5.2mm
4.3mm
3.85mm
3.38mm
3mm
2.7mm
2.45mm
2.3mm
If you like this, find it useful and would like to see other techniques to help with your stitching, join Secrets from the Workshop today.
If you would still like to download the form you can do so here:
The technical bit is all down to Graham of White Star Leather and it is with thanks that I credit him with all the hard work of taking my formula and turning it into the calculator you see above.