I Have A Chap And Chink Question

[Tkleather1]

Ok I do a lot of Chaps and Chinks but I have never done step-ins. I have a general idea of how to do them but I am not real sure. I know that the customer wants them with the laced sidepanels but if you all could give me a quick rundown I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

Tim Worley

TK-Leather

[Dink]

I started on a general explaination about how I do it, but do you mean like a full step in shotgun chap, or a zippered step in that only abot 1" at the top stays connected above the zipper.

they will be generally the same process. I will take a crack at trying to explain but I may need to send a picture later,

I make my shot gun pattern as you would for a regular zipper pair, then I add about 2.5 inches along the length of the inside seam. Hope your with me so far this is kinda hard to explain, Then I go in on that same edge about 4" and cut a zipper slot from the bottom up about 1/2" wide stopping about an inch from the top. the zipper is then sewn in the slot with the closed end of the zipper lapping into the last inch of the leg that was not cut, this keeps the zipper from coming apart. I then just fold a piece of leather about 2" wide over the closed end an uncut portion at the top and stitch it down tho strengthen and further secure the zipper from coming apart.

Once this is done you can pull the leg around to the position you want it in when zipped to figure out where to begin putting in your bag punched holes. Once you figure where you want the pieces to come togather you can punch a bag slit in the chap body and one in the excess leather you left down the inside of the leg. I then go down each side punching holes every inch for the length you want your zipper, though this may vary if you are putting conchos on the lacing. I then cut long pieces for lacing them togather 5/8" wide.

To get your lacing started I put a slit about 1/2" long in one of my pieces of lace and I pull it first through the second hole down leaving the slit end sticking out on the back side of the leg go up and through the first hole on both sides and down through the slit for a tie off to start Then you just lace them in and out to the bottom where I then just tie them off with a double half hitch. I really hope this makes some sense and is helpful. I will try to add some pictures tonight of a pair that is put togather

Dink

Ok I do a lot of Chaps and Chinks but I have never done step-ins. I have a general idea of how to do them but I am not real sure. I know that the customer wants them with the laced sidepanels but if you all could give me a quick rundown I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

Tim Worley

TK-Leather

[Tkleather1]

Well your explanation makes sense but I wasnt very clear on what I was making. I meant to put in there that these are chinks that are beeing built not chaps but I think it will work either way.

Thanks a bunch

Tim

[Dink]

sorry about that I was thinking a pair of step in with zipper shot guns, But the lacing procedure should be the same.

Dink

[SbarKLeather]

Dink, I'm working on my first pair of shotguns right now and was pretty puzzled about how to tie off the lacing piece. Your explanation helped me out a ton, thank you!