Introduction: Leather Stitching Pony

By www.shaunmeighan.com

In my continued efforts to become a better seamster and leatherworker, I sought to get myself a stitching pony. Unfortunately, they were all far out of my price range, so I decided to build my own out of some scraps that I had lying around my workshop.

Step 1: Materials

To make this, you will need:

  • 3 boards, 18x80x300mm each
  • 1 wooden block, 36x80x60mm
  • 2 pieces of plywood, 12x80x65mm each
  • Scraps of leather
  • Threaded rod
  • Nut
  • Screws
  • Glue
  • Black spraypaint

Step 2: Cut the Parts

I cut out the block of wood from a larger board, then moved on to the plywood. I marked out the dimensions on a scrap piece and the cut the 2 jaws out using the mitre saw. I made sure to check the fit of these jaws before continuing on.

Step 3: The Hole

I came down from the top of the vertical sections by 120mm. I drilled an 8mm hole for the threaded rod that I would use to pull the jaws together.

Step 4: Assemble the Main Frame

I attached the two vertical sections to the wooden block using glue and nails. I later came back and added screws for extra strength. Once they were secure, I added the plywood jaws using glue, holding them in place with spring clamps until they dried.

Step 5: Finishing

I sanded the assembly to 120 grit, then masked off the plywood jaws as I would be attaching the leather to them using PVA glue, which would not stick well to the painted wood. With this done, I sprayed the piece black.

Step 6: The Jaws

I cut 2 sections of leatherette material, to protect any workpieces from being marred by the wooden jaws. I attached these with PVA glue to the plywood jaws.

Step 7: The Stand

I marked two holes in the centre of the third board to secure the main assembly and make it easier to work on. The board itself was finished with boiled linseed oil.

Step 8: Done!

After I used 2 screws to attach everything together, I had a fully working stitching pony! I think it turned out really well, and already feel that it has improved my stitching!

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this instructable!

-Shaun