A few days ago, Harish’s (my husband’s) laptop bag was damaged. Its belt came off. He loved this bag so much that he didn’t want to throw it. đź’”
Seeing him worried, I stepped in to help! 🥰With just a few tools like a sewing awl, scissors, a cutter, and matching thread, we managed to stitch its belt! He was so happy!❤️ Here’s his bag-
As we can see, a regular sewing needle can’t sew thick leather or fabric (jute, canvas, etc). We need special tools, such as sewing awls, to pierce such materials.
Many sewing enthusiasts may not know about this skill. That’s why I thought, why don’t I write about ‘how to use a sewing awl ‘?
In this detailed guide, I have shared what a sewing awl is, why it is better, and unique ways to use it in sewing projects! So, even if you are a beginner, you can handle it really well using this guide!
So, gear up and read ahead to learn more about this amazing tool!❤️
Why Is Stitching With A Sewing Awl Better?
On sewing machines, the presser foot, lever, and special needle move up and down in coordination to pierce through such thick material.
But the most common problems that occur when you sew such thick fabrics on sewing machines are:
- Weak Motor: If your machine’s motor has lower power, it can cause overheating or lagging while stitching denser fabrics.
- Damaged Machine Parts: The needle, thread, or internal parts can get damaged or cracked due to excess stress.
- Skipped Stitches: Piercing through such fabrics isn’t easy. The motor needs more power to push the needle into such fabrics. So, some stitches might get skipped.
- Thread Snapping: Eventually, the needle may bend, and upper or lower thread may break while sewing.
That’s why Using Sewing Awls can sometimes be better!
As I said before, sewing awls can stitch leather goods or thick fabric like jute, canvas, denim, or Cordura. You can stitch, punch holes, or hold fabric with this tool.
What‘s A Sewing Awl?
Imagine a small screwdriver, but with a sharp tip- that’s a sewing awl!
It has a wooden handle, a straight shank, and a sharp tip. It comes in different lengths, ranging from 120 mm to 150 mm.
There were no sewing machines in older times.
Sewists and seamstresses used tailor’s awls to sew thick fabrics. The leathermen used awls to craft the most stunning leather bags, knife covers, belts, shoes, and more.
Most of the manual sewing awls have two types of needles:
- Bent
- Straight
All awls need waxed threads to pass easily through holes.
These threads mostly have colours such as: black, brown, dark brown, grey, dark grey, light khaki, khaki, dark khaki, or apricot. Such colored stitches really suit thick denim or leather materials.Â
1. Traditional Sewing Awl:
When I came to America after my marriage, I brought my sewing kit and a machine. In this homely treasure, I carried my grandmother’s awl. She used this tiny tool in her sewing practice (to guide fabric, rip out stitches, etc. ).
How To Use Sewing Awls In Everyday Stitching Practice?
1. Use To Remove Fabric Stitches (An Alternative To Seam Ripper):
Let’s assume you are sewing a quilt or any other garment. Your machine mistakenly adds a skipped stitch on the fabric. You want to remove these stitches, but you don’t have a seam ripper?
What will you do?
USE A SEWING AWL INSTEAD!
Its pointy tip helps to gently remove the stitched threads without damaging the fabric.
This trick helps me the most when I sew long fabrics like quilts, kids’ blankets, etc.Â
2. To Catch Thread Under Sewing Machine Needle:
These awls can efficiently catch the thread under the needle plate.
Just insert the awl’s tip under the needle plate, move it, and try to grab the thread ends.
This approach is much safer than using your fingers to locate the thread ends. Our fingers can get really close to needles, which can lead to injuries.
3. Making Holes In Clothes To Attach Buttons:
Many times, we need to attach buttons to jeans, denim shirts, woolen sweaters, cargo pants, or skirts. Poking such thick clothes with a regular sewing needle is a tough task. But a sewing awl can make this happen.
Just hold the fabric where you want to make a hole.
Keep the awl’s tip on that point.
And apply gentle pressure to pierce through the fabric.Â
4. Using To Hold Two-Layered Fabric While Stitching:
Stitching two-layered fabric is more tedious than stitching single fabric.
Why?
Because we have to ensure the top thread catches both the lower fabric and the bobbin thread catches the upper fabric.Â
Many beginners make a huge mistake by pressing their fingers on the fabric that is closer to the needle.
Instead, you can use the tip of an awl to hold the fabric closer to the needle.Â
5. Using To Mark Dart Points On Fabric:
You can even use the head of a tailor’s awl to pierce through the main points of darts.
In this way, you don’t need to pick the paper up again and again to check the correctly marked points.Â
Just place the paper on the fabric.
Gently push the awl on the marks of the paper.
After adding all markings, lift the paper and check both fabrics for the marks.
Now, one might say- we can use a needle instead of an awl to make darting marks.
In my opinion, awls are much more efficient than needles for this task.
The tip of the awl is so strong and sharp that it can pierce through any thick or multi-layered fabric.
Plus, a needle can slip through your fingers, but a sewing awl can’t!
6. Using the Pin Head To Remove Pins While Stitching:
Let’s assume you are sewing a tiny cloth.
It will have a small stitching area where a normal person’s fingers cannot comfortably reach.
Using the awl head, remove each pin as it reaches near the needle.
This tool can hold the fabric layers at that point. Its long shank keeps your fingers away from the moving needle.
This technique is best for stitching clothes with a very small seam allowance.
7. For Guiding Fabric Under Sewing Machine’s Needle:
Let me tell you which mistake beginning tailors make the most:
Many beginners use pins or the tips of scissors to guide the fabric under the sewing machine needle. TBH- I did it too!
One day, my mother saw me guiding fabric that way. She suggested that I use an awl instead. What a relief that was!!
Using an awl for that task was easier than pins or scissor heads. This worked especially for thick seams and heavy fabrics.
2. Using Quick Sewing Awl:
You can easily get this awl kit from a local store or Amazon. I got mine from Walmart.
This awl set contains: screwdrivers, needles, base cover, coils to loop threads, awl, waxed thread, etc.Â
If you need firm lock stitches for sewing heavy materials like leather, canvas, or jute, this awl set can help you the most!
How To Thread A Quick Sewing Awl?
Threading the needle in this awl is easy if you follow the right steps!
- First, turn the screw fixing head away and remove the needle.
- Remove the base cover using the small screwdriver.
- Choose the right colored waxed thread.
- Wind the chosen thread through the coil.
- Then, wind it through the hole of the same coil.
- Pass the thread through the hole of the main part of the sewing awl.
- Wind the lead pin and pull the thread along the slot.
- Install the needle and go to the screw-fixing head.
- Finally, thread through the needle hole, and your awl is ready to use!
How To Use A Quick Sewing Awl?
1. Pierce the fabric using this awl.
2. Pass the thread backwards to create a loop on the backside.
3. Pass the loose end through the loop that you created previously.
4. Gently pull the needle back again. Pull it to tighten the lock stitch.
5. Continue sewing these stitches as much as you need on the fabric.
6. At the final stitch, take the needle out.
7. Create a loop and gently pull the thread. Tie it to form a secure knot underneath the fabric.
Key Takeaways:
Whether it is leather, jute, canvas, or any other thick material, these awls always perform best for strong lock stitches.
You can pull off tangled thread ends from stitches or even make holes in thick jeans fabric with their help. Quick awls like Speedy Stitchers are way better for repairing messed fabric.Â
Their pointy ends are perfect for making dart points on fabric. Also, they can hold the seam firmly when the fabric reaches the needle bar.
One tool, many benefits! What else does a stitcher need?
I hope you got helpful insights from this guide on ‘how to use a sewing awl ?’ Practice these tips in your regular sewing practice and improve your sewing tactics!
What are your favorite hacks for using sewing awls? Do let me know in the comments. Bye-bye!
FAQs:
1. What Are the Best Ways Of Using Sewing Awls?
Apart from sewing clothes, you can use these awls for various things, like:
- Sewing and repairing leather belts, bags, wallets, etc.
- Repairing and mending canvas bags, shoes, sail fabric, etc.
- Mending sofa covers, car cushions, plush toys, and chair fabric.
- Punching holes in leather materials for bags, belts, etc.
2. Is a Sewing Awl A Needle?
No. A Sewing awl is mainly used to punch and widen holes in thick fabric. It is sturdier and bigger than a needle. A needle is used to sew regular fabrics. It is thin and slim. However, you can use both tools together when sewing leather goods, canvas items, etc.
