making a belt

[pete]

I want to make a belt with a border and stitched. I have a TLF creaser that is 1/4" and an adjustable creaser. It's hard to run the 1/4" creaser and not have it jump the edge sometimes so should I :

1- dremmel out the groove and make it deeper so that it grabs the edge better

2- sharpen the edge that cuts the crease

3- be more careful as I run the edge

4- get a better creaser

Secondly- I have made a ton of belts but never sewn one. No machine so I take it to the shoe shop.

Should I have them stitch it 1/8 from the edge and THEN run the creaser?

HELP!!

pete

[rdb]

First..go very lightly with the creaser, and only bout 6". Then once the line is established, you can apply the right pressure. It will take lots of practice to have it look like a crease line and not some dragged line. You sort of have to "hook" it over the edge as you move it. They're called "push bevelers" and actually work better for some people when they push it forward, as they are designed. Take some scraps, and practice both ways. Try bending back or forth, left and right until you understand the correct angle to use for the tool to work properly. If you edge bevel first, the tool seems to slide better long the edge for me.

That .25 beveler from TLF will make a line an eighth from the edge. I use it sometimes to just make a line to follow for sewing. If you want a line on the inside of the stitch, you can use the adjustable creaser, which when wide open, will fit on the other side of the stitch from the edge, but it isn't as sharp a line as the push beveler. You could also use the swivel knife to make a light line, beveled or not. The stitching groover could also be used to make a line.

Better tools are always a wise investment, but in this case, I've used the TLF for years with little problems. But did I stress practice?

[pete]

thanks a lot. that helps more than you know

pete