Western boots provide excellent foot protection and add a unique aesthetic to your wardrobe. The stitching on your boots adds excellent visual appeal, as well as essential functionality.
The boots’ stitches keep your footwear from stretching at the shaft and help maintain its shape. If that stitching tears, it must be fixed before your boots begin to fall apart. Use this brief guide to fixing broken stitching on western boots to get started.
Clean the Boots Thoroughly
The first thing you’ll want to do when fixing broken stitching on your western boots is clean the surface of each boot thoroughly to ensure there’s no dirt or debris built up. The presence of these materials on the leather will cause it to degrade faster and make the boots harder to restitch.
To clean your boots, start with water and a cloth to remove excess dirt. If you’re having trouble, add some vinegar to the mix. Once you’re finished, dry the boots off with a towel and buff them with cream, oil, or wax to improve their finish.
Remove Broken Stitching
Once your boots are thoroughly cleaned, you can move on to the stitching. Using a specially designed tool like a seam ripper will make the job easier. Push the ripper across the threads to cut them away from the leather material.
Lift up on the leather of your western shoes to separate the threads. Be careful as you work through this process so you don’t accidentally rip the leather or cause the holes to expand. Remember, existing holes will remain, so be as gentle as possible to ensure they don’t become too apparent.
Add New Stitching
After you’ve removed the old stitching, it’s time to add your new pattern. Start by creating new holes for the stitching—avoid using the old holes if possible to get a tight fit. Mark out where you want the thread to go so you don’t get lost in the middle of the process.
Use a leather sewing needle to ensure you don’t rip the material. You can lock the threads by running a few inches of thread through the eye of the needle and then puncturing the excess line. Ensure you have enough thread length to complete the stitch without running out, then burn off the excess thread once you’re done.
Make your Western Boots Last
Western boots can last a long time, but only if they’re properly cared for. If your leather is coming apart at the seams, it’s probably time to consider boot repairs.
With this brief guide to fixing broken stitching on western boots, you’ll be able to start the repair process right away and keep your boots in tip-top shape.