Leather Splitting Along Belt Edge

[Tree Reaper]

I was stitching a belt yesterday and the leather started splitting in hairline cracks out towards the edge of the belt.

It happened at every stitch hole but just on one side of the belt.

This was a belt blank that I bought.

Any ideas as to what caused this?

Is it a bad piece of leather or pilot error?

Thanks.

Kevin.

Edited February 18, 2011 by Tree Reaper

[TwinOaks]

Sounds like the leather was too dry when you started stitching it.

[Tree Reaper]

TO;

The leather was dry, is it better to stitch when the leather is still damp?

Kevin

Sounds like the leather was too dry when you started stitching it.

[reddevil76]

I've ever made a tool bag for my bike which the grain side split on areas which were bent (the opening flap). This was after it was applied with a spirit dye which dried it badly. I should have applied something like neatsfoot oil. Anyway, I have since moved on to water based dyes.

I've also have experience with flesh splitting away from grain on edges of belts. This happens when the leather has hollow spots in it. Usually the shoulder. Though most people cut their blanks from double shoulders due to the ideal length for minimum wastage, I decide to cut from backs after bad experiences. If you cut from backs, you will get probably a 60+ to 70 " blank, of which you only use 40+ inch. The remaining 30" is too short for another belt, but I use them for straps or cut them up into bracelets.

[Tree Reaper]

Thanks reddevil;

The belt blank I was stitching had been dyed with a water based dye and was completely dry.

The information I read on this states to wet the stitching area prior to stitching but I thought this might cause problems with the dye.

When it only happened to one side of the belt I thought it was due to a problem with the leather itself.

Maybe stitching then dying is the way to help prevent this, but I'm not sure.

The leather blank was really old so this may have contributed also.

Kevin.