THE BIG RED VIKING Report post Posted February 23, 2010 I am trying to finish a wallet that I started awhile back and need some help. I am trying to figure out how to put the guts in, I am using the same thickness leather as the cover cause thats all I have or should I buy some thinner stuff. My questionis does the inner piece need to be the same width as the cover or should it be cut smaller. I am hand stiching if that helps any. Thank you, steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete Report post Posted February 23, 2010 I am trying to finish a wallet that I started awhile back and need some help. I am trying to figure out how to put the guts in, I am using the same thickness leather as the cover cause thats all I have or should I buy some thinner stuff. My questionis does the inner piece need to be the same width as the cover or should it be cut smaller. I am hand stiching if that helps any. Thank you, steve Please send in some fotos or better explain it. Was it a kit, what oz leather are you using, what was the wallet type/name, etc I know that we can stick the thing together!!!! pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted February 23, 2010 (edited) Morning, Pete ... If you're talking about a "billfold" wallet, I generally cut the "guts" 1/4" shorter than the wallet back. Looks pretty to lay it out flat, but causes the insides to "bunch" when closed. The shorter inside cures most of this. Glue the sides first, then work the middle down. This will keep your edges lined up, and the wallet back will "come around" to suit. Personally, I like a 1 1/2-2 oz goat lining. Very thin, yet still strong. I know lots o folks use pig, 'cause it's generally a little cheaper. Also find pig in most of the kits I've seen. But pig is very stretchy, meaning it's not very good at holding it's shape. Someone will say it's inside a wallet, so it's under compression,not tension, thus it's "justified". I disagree, and here's the short version of the pros n cons ... Pig ...................... ............. Calf or goat cheaper ...................... it's only about 1 1/2 feet, so from $1.50/ft to $3/ft means you spend $2.50 to go from "ewwww" to "sweet" cheaper ...................... nice crisp lacing slits, versus the pigskin actually compressing into the slits, making the lace look less professional cheaper ..................... .... smooth, soft, luxurious (even the "pebble grain" calf is nice) and still sturdy enough to hold it's shape There are others, but clearly the bald guy recommendation is lightweight calf or goat. I try to color match the lining. Saddle stitching (which I love the look and feel of) makes me dislike the pig even more. Eat the pork chop, and save the pig for glued-in linings where it's backed with something sturdier. Somewhere around here, there are some wallets in my posts. If you can't easily find them, there's a thousand more done by others ... Just saw at the bottom of one page, one girl recommends these folks. Edited February 23, 2010 by JLSleather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
THE BIG RED VIKING Report post Posted February 23, 2010 Sorry I didn't explain it better. It is a bill fold, no it is not a kit, the leather is a 3-5oz leather veg tanned I think it was some scrap I had laying around. I will try and post some pics latrer today. Thanks you both for the help I really appriciate it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
