Hey, that's a smart trick! Most people just buy expensive inserts, but learning from a ranch hand is way better. For instance, a stable heel lets you give leg cues without wobbling, which is huge on rocky paths. It also stops your foot from bouncing in the stirrup when you trot over roots. That kind of control can really keep both you and the horse safe. Old school knowledge beats fancy gear any day.

Yeah that angle makes a huge difference. I check mine with a marker on the edge now, helps me stay consistent. Good call from @wyatt_foster84 on questioning the usual advice.

Honestly grace_martin3, losing those sets might help. I only use about five sockets from my big 200-piece kit anyway.

Seems like more trouble than it's worth for most people, honestly.

Yeah, that puckering is the worst... drove me crazy on a tote bag project. Found out it really happens when you're going over lots of layers, like where side seams meet. Sometimes just testing the stitch on a scrap piece of the same thickness first shows you if the machine is happy.