Help laying out a pattern

[pete]

Can anyone give me some idea as to how I measure and cut the piece to cover a box or guitar.I want to cover it completely and double lace the edges but I don't know how to lay out the pattern to allow the extra width plus the 1/8" line- and do I assemble it first and "stretch "it around the edge or lace it in place. etc?

Do I need to skive , etc

please feel free to e-mail me but I'm sure that there are others tackling this same problem.

thanks all

pete

[sheowahya]

Marilyn raises her hand way up high!!!

I've had a project on my infinetly long TO DO list for ages that is very similar to this.

I have a round top chest (bought at a craft store) similar to a miniature hope chest (about the size of a footstool).

I want to cover it with leather and do a special carving on the top and lace the seams, but I have no clue where or how to get started. It doesn't sound hard, but experience has taught me to research VERY well before trying something new or risk disasterous results.

Thanks Pete for throwing this out for all to see!!

Marilyn

[$$hobby]

Stohlman's "the art of making leather cases #3" has a guitar case, but its a case in itself, not a "cover". although you can get some ideas on how to build it.

I would say, it would be an choice how you want to build it as to the corners you want to use, square or mitered. The only issue i would be concerned with is the lacing. It would look really nice, but would most likely not last too long under real use, IMO. also, for an existing box, there maybe an issue with top/bottom. there maynot be enough space between the top/bottom for the leather.

If you have the guitar case, i would use it as a pattern. you can get a compas to add whatever material on the sides for stitching. also, what i would do is to make a sample stitching of the corners you want. the sample would also allow you to take measuremes to see how much allowance is needed for the corners.