Making a strap from hair on hide

[Somawas]

I've cut out all the parts for a tote bag to be made from hair on cowhide. I have a piece cut out about 4" wide and 3' 9" long that I thought would work for the shoulder strap. How do I had sew it?

Sew down one side, hair side out? Sew down the flesh side and then try to turn it hair side out? Lap the edges on the back and sew through three layers? What is the best way of sewing this strap?

[Somawas]

I've cut out all the parts for a tote bag to be made from hair on cowhide. I have a piece cut out about 4" wide and 3' 9" long that I thought would work for the shoulder strap. How do I had sew it?

Sew down one side, hair side out? Sew down the flesh side and then try to turn it hair side out? Lap the edges on the back and sew through three layers? What is the best way of sewing this strap?

Four days, 33 reads, no replies. So here's the deal: So far I've cut the pieces and sewed the gusset to one side. It's coming along. When its finished, I'm posting my hairy cow shopping bag to the Show Off forum. Then you guys are going to ooh and aah over my hairy cow bag. Then somebody will say, "Gee, I could sell a ton of those! Kill a cow and Save a Tree!" Why I'll bet I could sell 50 of em at a screening of "An Inconvenitnet Truth." Those guys hate cows and love trees. Then somebody will ask about a tutorial. And I'll just have to say that I'll post one if I should ever decide to make another hairy cow bag.

[streetgamez]

I've cut out all the parts for a tote bag to be made from hair on cowhide. I have a piece cut out about 4" wide and 3' 9" long that I thought would work for the shoulder strap. How do I had sew it?

Sew down one side, hair side out? Sew down the flesh side and then try to turn it hair side out? Lap the edges on the back and sew through three layers? What is the best way of sewing this strap?

I have no experience with hair on, but please do not be discouraged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Luck and keep at it:You_Rock_Emoticon:

tc

[Hilly]

Hi there. I was going to answer your post a few days ago, but I was hoping someone with tons of experience would chime in first...

I'd probably try sewing it hair sides together, then turning it inside out so the seam is on the inside, BUT....

Personally, and to be honest, I would not use hair on hide for a strap on a tote bag. The reason being that hair on hide might not hold up as well as a strap made from chrome tanned or veg tan leather. Your hair on strap could quickly become "hair off", which would not make you happy.

Hilly

[Somawas]

I had pretty much decided to try sewing it hair on the inside, then turn it inside out plan. Not too sure what I can turn it inside out with. Thee feet 9 inches is a long tube to turn that way. Coathanger?

I'm not terribly concerned that the hair will fall off. At my Tandy store there is a cowhide rug glued to the floor in front of the entrance door. Been there for four years that I know of. Day in and out foot traffic for four years. Coming loose from the floor in a couple of places, but still has a full head of hair.

[jimsaddler]

I had pretty much decided to try sewing it hair on the inside, then turn it inside out plan. Not too sure what I can turn it inside out with. Thee feet 9 inches is a long tube to turn that way. Coathanger?

I'm not terribly concerned that the hair will fall off. At my Tandy store there is a cowhide rug glued to the floor in front of the entrance door. Been there for four years that I know of. Day in and out foot traffic for four years. Coming loose from the floor in a couple of places, but still has a full head of hair.

Hi Somawas

Well Hilly was right about sewing Hair in then turning it. Your preparation is very important though. I haven't used Hair on for a few years, as it went out of fashion.

Basically you should skive the edges of the 2 strips to be sewn to aprox half thickness or 1.25mm. Skive inabout twice the margin that you are stitching from the edge. Soften the Hide in water and rub Saddle soap into the moist Hide. allow it to mellow then sew both sides and across one end. Then take a piece of Curtain Rod (Wood) and push on the sewn up end to turns the Strap inside out. This is why the edges are skived so as to allow the Hide to be turned easier. when turned Hair out. Carefully fold the strap at the seams so that it will lay flat. Then rub out the Seams while they are damp, so they are flat. Let it dry then pour some Latex or PVA glue down the inside and clap it together while the Glue sets. Trim off the ends and use a Chape to secure each end to the Bag. Please remember that Hair on usually is Chrome Tanned hence the Saddle Soap being added to keep it moist longer Latex and PVA will mix with Saddle Soap usually.

I hope this helps you.

Kindest Regards.

Jim Saddler.

[Somawas]

Wood push rod. Hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the suggestions. I think it will be a lot of help.

[sheathmaker]

Wood push rod. Hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the suggestions. I think it will be a lot of help.

You have a great surprise ahead of you if you think you can turn a hair inside tube inside out. Unless your fished strap is going to be about 6 inches wide , there is simply not enough room inside the strap to get a full reversal to inside out. Your best shot is to make a roll or tube with about 3/8 inch overlap, hair out, and the center the cemented seam on the back side of the flattened tube (the entire length of the inside of the tube could be cemented so when you finished pressing it flat, it stays that way.) and stitch full length down the center of the front side making sure to stitch the cemented seam in the process. No raw edges and the cemented seam will be on the back and mostly out of view.

The very best advice you have been given by others is the make the strap out of veg. tan or chrome tan leather and forget the hair on thing.

Paul

[Somawas]

Thanks to all who offered thoughts and advice on this topic. I finished the project this weekend. I had sewn the bag inside out and it was hard enough to turn inside out and get right. So I looked at the strap material again and decicded that sheathmaker had to be right about it. I cut the stap down from almost 5" to 2 1/4" and lined it with some pigskin. Did some decorative stitching in some areas and hung it on the bag.

Thanks again for your help.