Leather covered bit, replacement of the leather

[Mulesaw]

This time at home I was asked if I could replace the leather on a leather covered bit.

I gently removed the old covering and used it to make a template for the new covering. I used some veg tan since I read that it was the preferred material for the horse to chew on. THe idea is semingly that the leather is easier on the teeth and the mouth of the horse, and that sounds right to me.

I opted for a baseball stitch instead of the original criss cross type stitch, In my head I am able to make a tighter sewing that way. I read on a page regarding leather bits that it was encouraged to give the leather a coat of olive oil, again as far as I could make of it all because the horse likes the taste and it is not harmfull.

The process took about one hour in total.
I forgot to take a picture of the unfolded pattern/template. There are two long pieces that follow the length of the bit and wraps around the rings, then the wide part is wrapped wround those to hold it all in place. Further on the inside there is a loose long strip to give a bit of symmetry on the opposite site of the long wrap around pieces.
The bit is to be mounted with the stitching facing fwd, so away from the corners of the mouth of the horse.

All in all a doable project with a minimal use of materials.

Worn bit.

 

New leather sewn on

Comparison between old leather and new covering.

 

[TomE]

Good looking stitching, Jonas.  Stohlman's hand sewing book shows a baseball stitch using one needle.  I couldn't get that method to look tidy, so I am using 2 needles now.  Looks like you do the same.

[Mulesaw]

4 hours ago, TomE said:

Good looking stitching, Jonas.  Stohlman's hand sewing book shows a baseball stitch using one needle.  I couldn't get that method to look tidy, so I am using 2 needles now.  Looks like you do the same.

Thanks Tom

I didn't think of looking in Stohlman's book, So I just made it with 2 needles  :-)
I thought that just going from a criss cross pattern to baseball stitch was adventurous enough for me.

Brgds Jonas

[DieselTech]

Looks nice! You did great work. 

How did you do the ends of the leather around the rings? 

Thanks. 

[Mulesaw]

@DieselTech Thanks 

The 4th picture is the best for explaining it (I forgot to take a picture shoeing the details)

There are two "straps" that are part of the wrapping. they go around the rings and are sewn together first. Next a similar sized loose strap is inserted between the wrap aorund part and the central part of the bit. 
Finally the wide part is wrapped around the strap part and baseball stitched together. 

Hope it helps a bit though it is kind of a weird explanation, :-)

Brgds Jonas

[DieselTech]

11 minutes ago, Mulesaw said:

@DieselTech Thanks 

The 4th picture is the best for explaining it (I forgot to take a picture shoeing the details)

There are two "straps" that are part of the wrapping. they go around the rings and are sewn together first. Next a similar sized loose strap is inserted between the wrap aorund part and the central part of the bit. 
Finally the wide part is wrapped around the strap part and baseball stitched together. 

Hope it helps a bit though it is kind of a weird explanation, :-)

Brgds Jonas

Thanks. I appreciate it. Always nice to be learning.