Western Saddle braid question

[Ian]

First, excuse my ignorance of the parts of a western saddle, but here goes.

What is the braid that is sometimes used to join the two halves of the jockey (if that's the right term)? I've also seen it used to join saddlebags. I only have the Bruce Grant 'Leather Braiding' book to reference, and it looks like it might be the braid shown in Plate 74, but that appears to be more open than the braid I'm thinking of. Any suggestions?

Thanks for any help

Ian

[rawhide1]

Ian

I see ya haven't got a answer and I dont really have one. I wonder if the one in the book just looks more open for the sake of showing it. Another thought is to post this question in the saddle building section. Them fellas use it all the time and could probaly give ya a good answer.

Sorry for the lack of help.

Mike

[CWR]

Ian,

I have Grants Encyclopedia which is a compilation of his books so I can't say the plate number to look at, but i believe you want what he calls round braid edge lacing. If you space your holes closer together the braid will be tighter. Most of his illustrations are more open to see the pattern better. Hope this helps.

CW

[troy]

Have uploaded a pencil drawing of the braid I use for saddles and the bags - probably not great as I'm not the best drawing artist - hope you can follow what I've drawn.

Start with a long string, half it and start from the middle of the string - thread through the two first holes from underneath to the top side - cross over and thread through second holes (the half circle symbol means over) thread the strings back underneath to the first hole then up and across the top again - the unders and over you do to create the pattern are similar to a turks head - as in you do opposite to what the neibouring strings are doing, i.e if they are over, under - you do under, over.

If you have any differculties just shout again.

[rcsaddles]

In Grant's book, Rncyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding on page 447 figures 8 -13 is what I use. This will actually be braided on both sides of the items being braided together. I really like it because it gives a better finish to the bottom side of the skirts on a saddle.

Joe

[Ian]

Thanks for the information - and thanks, Troy for taking the time to sketch out the layout - also the folks in the chat room who went out of their way to give me tips. I ended up using the braid called 'S' type in Grant's book.

Now that I have the braiding bug, I need to get some more books.

It never fails to amaze me how helpful people here are - thanks again.

[GordonA]

Hi'

If you can get ahold of a copy of F.O.Bairds "Leather Secrets", there is a good illustration of a 2 strand over one under one braid which is the typical braid for this kind of but joint. Also best results are obtained by joining the pieces with a series of simple stiches with thread, placeing the awl holes about 1/4" from the edges. Then when you do the braiding the 2 pieces won't try to slip one on top of the other. The trick is in nt having these stiches to far from the edges along this but joint.

GA