Stitching awl

Common card · No. 239460

A stitching awl is a tool that can puncture new holes or enlarge existing holes in a variety of materials. It is also used for sewing heavy materials, such as leather or canvas. It is a thin, tapered metal shaft, coming to a sharp point, either straight or slightly bent. These shafts are often in the form of interchangeable needles. Awls usually have an eye piercing at the pointed end to aid in drawing thread through holes for the purpose of manual lockstitch sewing, in which case it is also called a sewing awl. Stitching awls are frequently used by shoe repairers and other leatherworkers. When sewing awls are used to make lock stitches, thread is first pushed through the eye piercing. The needle, with the thread in the eye, is then pushed through the material. The thread is then pulled through the eye to extend it. As the needle is pushed through the material, the extra thread from the first stitch is then threaded through the loops of successive stitches creating a lock stitch. The action...

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