Belt Help

[Dustyn]

I'm going to make my brother a belt and was just wondering a few things. I've seen belts that are sewn together and to me they look nicer having that stitching on them but was wondering if that is too much work to do by hand seeing as I'm new at this and don't have a sewing machine. Also if I do sew two pieces together do I tool it and dye it then sew it together last. To me this makes more sense but I don't want to get going on it and screw it up. Thank you in advance for any advice you could give to me. I will try and learn how to do one then get it done then post pictures when I'm done.

Thanks for your time.

-Dustyn

[electrathon]

Tooling would be done before any assembly.

Aaron

[Chief31794]

I'm going to make my brother a belt and was just wondering a few things. I've seen belts that are sewn together and to me they look nicer having that stitching on them but was wondering if that is too much work to do by hand seeing as I'm new at this and don't have a sewing machine. Also if I do sew two pieces together do I tool it and dye it then sew it together last. To me this makes more sense but I don't want to get going on it and screw it up. Thank you in advance for any advice you could give to me. I will try and learn how to do one then get it done then post pictures when I'm done.

Thanks for your time.

-Dustyn

Stitching a belt by hand is quite time consuming, you have to judge as to whether or not it is "Too Much" work. If it is lined then it should be sewn however for Belts there are alternatives to lining and sewing that still look quite appealing. You could burnish a bead along the edge and make sure that the back is protected (I use painter's tape) while dying. That provides a belt that is dyed on the front but has a natural look on the back. One thing that is important is that the edges should be finished well, there are several posts here and a pinned topic on finishing belt edges. But all of these decisions are up to you, have fun.

Ken

[Leatherimages]

An overstitch wheel might be a compromise for you at this stage of your skills.

As the name implies, it is a wheel shaped tool which is intended to clean up a stitch line after stitching, but which will also make impressions of stitchies by itself.

They are available with stitch lengths of 5, 6, and 7 stitches per inch (spi).

I also like Chief's suggetion of a crease line, with dyed and well finished edges. Always strive to do nice edges.

Have fun, and begin the learning curve for hand stitching too. It's a skill to be proud of.

Paul

[Dustyn]

Thank you for the help. Paul I will look up and buy an overstitch wheel. Sounds like it would be a good investment. One more question do I sew two layers together and if so do I put the flesh sides together? Thanks for your help.

-Dustyn

[DoubleC]

Yes the flesh sides go together. Cheryl

[Dwight]

Dustyn, . . .

Something that will help you, . . . first, . . . definitely get the overstitch wheel, . . . and use the 5 stitch wheel, . . . makes a beautiful belt.

I use size 346 thread on my belts, . . . not too thin, . . . but doesn't look like rope either.

If you use decorative stitching, . . . do it only on the outside layer, . . .

Definitely use contact cement, . . . Weldwood is a good brand, . . . flesh to flesh, . . . use a belt sander to even up the edges.

Finally, . . . if you own or can borrow one of those little 5 speed, . . . $50 cheapo drill presses, . . . mark your leather with a stitch groover, . . . then the overstitch wheel, . . . then use the drill press to punch the holes with an awl blade you can buy at any Tandy Leather shop.

Saves a lot of time, . . . makes "hand stitching" a lot easier.

I'll close with the line I always tell my holster class students, . . . "Hands are for hamburgers, . . . Sewing machines are for stitching".

May God bless,

Dwight

[Dustyn]

Thank you for the input Cheryl and Dwight helps a lot. Dwight you said only do it on the outside layer. Does this mean that I'm not stitching the two pieces together?

-Dustyn

[Dwight]

Dustyn, . . . the stitching on the edges of course needs to go through both layers.

Decorative stitching only needs to be on the outside. Saves time, . . . saves thread, . . . and though I hate to admit it, . . . it can also save your sanity.

Nothing will frost your gills much worse than getting a belt darn near all done, . . . (like it would be if the stitching was done through both layers), . . . only to find out there is a mistake in it that cannot be undone or covered. In other words, . . . that piece of leather is trash or a training aid, . . . if it is only one layer, . . . lots of labor and also one layer of leather saved. That's good !

May God bless,

Dwight

[mlapaglia]

Your other option is to get one of us that has a sewing machine to sew it for you. My first belt I paid one of the members here to sew it for me. Best money I ever spent.

Pm me if you need a price to sew it.

[katsass]

From the old grump: Before you decide to hand stitch (notice I didn't say 'sew' --- sewing is what Granny does on a dress) most anything, PRACTICE -- a LOT. Get it down well, each stitch done EXACTLY as the previous one in every way, or you will be dissatisfied with your outcome, Also --- take your time.. JMO. Mike.

Edited July 11, 2012 by katsass

[Dustyn]

Thank you all for the advice. Dwight thanks for the clarification and the advice. Mlapaglia I might look into that, but I do kind of want to get better at hand stitching also. Katsass I will be sure to practice plenty before I commit to the real deal. Thanks again everyone for your time and help.

-Dustyn

Thank you all for the advice. Dwight thanks for the clarification and the advice. Mlapaglia I might look into that, but I do kind of want to get better at hand stitching also. Katsass I will be sure to practice plenty before I commit to the real deal. Thanks again everyone for your time and help.

-Dustyn