| Sometimes choosing life is just a
slower way of choosing death. Carriers (2009) |
D Vautier
5/2023
I did some awl work today. I did it all by myself.
An awl is a big sewing machine
needle mounted on a handle. It does a basic chain stitch just like a
sewing machine. The device has been around seriously for thousands of
years and was used by generations of sailors standing on yardarms 60
feet above deck stitching away at sail in 20 mph winds. You just can’t
get a sewing machine to do that up there.
The instructions for using awls
given on any WEB site are terrible and probably so hideous as to discourage
any and awl from use. But to me an awl is indispensible and
extremely handy to have around for those little nasty jobs that sewing
machines can't do.
Let me explain in very simple terms how to use an awl. If followed by just using a piece of cardboard for practice you will become a highly skilled awler in a very short time.
(reverse for lefties)
Sew right to left. Mount needle and position needle eye left to right in awl so you can't see eye. Thread it left to right. Begin to sew. Hold material with left hand and push awl in with right hand turning motion if needed. Pull back until loops show. Right loop is the working loop. Left loop is the feeding loop and not used.
Grab right loop first time and pull out. This becomes the base thread.
With additional stitches feed base thread always into and through right loop.
Last stitch grab right loop, pull and tie.
That’s it. That’s all there is to using an awl.