Walthamstow based saddler Mia Sabel has a passion for collecting linen threads for her products.

Traditionally, linen thread is used for saddlery hand-stitching as it offers superior strength and durability. It also has the added property of being stronger when wet and is ideal for bridles and saddles. Hand-waxing linen thread in beeswax prior to stitching helps makes the thread more resilient and rot-proof.

Most linen thread used to be made in Ireland and is now increasingly hard to obtain - basic colours such as off-white, black, brown and yellow are available, but far harder to find now are coloured threads. Mia has been collecting vintage coloured threads since she started training as a saddler, from retiring saddlers, the military, eBay, leather suppliers, etc and has over 100 different colours from vintage sage to electric teal.

Thread is made in different thicknesses: it can be 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- or even 6-ply, and is differentiated by weight, eg 35, 25 and 18. The bigger the number, the lighter the thread. The usual weights we use are 3/25 or 3/18 for general stitching, and 3/35 for fine, decorative stitching.

We are happy to offer our customers a wide choice of colour. Try teal stitching on London Tan leather, or vintage sage on Dark Havana bridle.