Leather Pants

[KateC]

Hi

I am new to this site and Im already finding it very helpful.

My questions are two

I am attemtping my first pair of leather pants. They are elk hide. I have pre stretched the leather.

#1 Does it make a difference if I have the length of the pants on the streatch of the leather as apposed to having them run from neck to butt? The reason I ask this is because I am afraid that if I cut the pattern with the length of the legs running neck to butt...That the pants will stretch out in the wind. (The wearer is a biker and he is not likely to gain weight.)

#2 I am useing an altered levi style pattern. Do you think that 1" seam allowance will be enough?

I would be so thankful for any advice or hints. I am scared to a thrill to start cutting up this guys elk hide!

Kate C

[8thsinner]

You can take this with a pinch of salt, but if you have prestretched the leather I do not see a problem with undue further stretching being a problem.

And 1" sounds like plenty of overlap to me, but it depends how good your sewing is and what stitches you end up using.

If your hand stitching, I suggest copying the levi outer leg stitching method to give them as much strength as possible, but thats three stitch lines and a lot of work.

If your not sure of your stitching so much then go the easier route and do one stitch line like the inner leg would be done. and for that 1" is far too much.

It's good enough leather and if the thread is a good one you should not have a problem, IMO.

But like I said I am not a pro leather clothing maker, but I am sure a few chap makers will be in soon to clarify, but at least you have something to think on...

Hope it helps

[broncobuster]

you really dont need that much seam allowance. in cloth sewing usually its 3/8 up to 1/2 in. leather wont unravel like cloth so you can sew a smaller seam allowance. one you have sewn seams you can glue down the seam to lay flat that is pull both sides down n glue. another trick i learned also is to take a mallet and pound down the seam before glueing that will help it lay flatter. as to neck to butt you need that way to get the length for the legs if you dont want seams across the front. good luck. Bronc/Bonnie

[KateC]

Thank you for your help!