Strap construction and stitch alignment

[JZC]

I'm hoping someone has ideas on how to construct this strap so the stitches look clean on both sides.  The strap ends will go through the bag and wrap on both sides which will be visible from both sides.  My initial thought was to double up the strap ends (without the strap attached) and punch holes, hand stitch the middle section (where it goes through bag), attach strap ends through the bag, double stick tape (or glue) strap ends to strap, and then hand stitch with awl.  Am I on the right track or does someone else have an easier way or thought on a different process.  Thank you in advance for any advice.

[TomE]

Not sure if I understand your question.  You can make the narrow end of the strap as a separate chape that wraps around the front and back of the wider part of the strap.  The wider strap would be sandwiched between 2 layers of the chape with the grain side showing on both sides of the strap.  The wider strap could be lined.

 

[chuck123wapati]

have you tested this problem with some scrap material to see how it looks? Why would one side of your stitches look bad?

[DoubleKCustomLeathercraft]

I'm having trouble understanding exactly what you're asking. 

You are attaching a leather billet as a loop to a strap? This billet is looped  through the bag slot, and back to the strap with both ends sandwich said strap? If this is the case, I would stitch the section that's looped and not attached to the start first. That way you're not stitching the loop closed or having to deal with a tight area that regular needles are too long for. As for making the stitch look good on both sides. All I can say is punch your holes straight and perpendicular.

 

They do have diamond stitching chisels are "backwards" so you can punch clean stitch holes from both sides of the project. You can use your awl also. I end up using my awl all the time because, and I hate it! Wish I had longer chisels but then they'd bend. It takes practice to get stitches straight front to back.

What I do on something long like a belt is I'll use my 6 prong chisel, make sure I have it lined up so that it goes through evenly from the edge. Then I'll set 3 of those 6 prongs into the already punched stitches. This helps keep the tool at the same angle eliminating the misaligned stitch holes on the back side. That's what's worked for me to get front and back stitching that looks good in either direction. 

[JZC]

Thank you Double K! Yes, you understood my question correctly and your explanation/advise was very helpful.  Thank you!