The machine sewing on my saddles and accessories is eight stitches to the inch using polished and waxed linen thread. This combination gives the finished work a late nineteenth century, early twentieth century look. The horn, cantle binding, rope strap buckles, hobble strap buckles, and keepers are hand sewn with waxed linen at eight stitches to the inch as well. Breast collar connector strap buckles and keepers are sewn the same way. There is no better way to sew leather to hardware. Hand sewing allows me to get the stitches closer to the buckles and dees than machine sewing. I have incorporated an increasing amount of hand sewing into my leatherwork. I love hand sewing for the deliberate, careful process that it is, for the look and feel when it is finished, and for the durability it offers.