Padded Strappy Wrist Cuffs

[Harpo84]

Hi, I'm completely new to Leatherwork. I've made a couple of simple strops so far and have dabbled with cutting shapes out of the scrap areas of a columbo hide I bought from LePrevo.

For my first project I'd like to make some wrist cuffs like the ones attached. Sorry about the low quality thumbnails. I don't have internet access at home right now and don't want to go digging around on websites like that at work.

If you have any tips, pointers or even patterns for similar things that you could share then that would be much appreciated.

I have a rough idea of what I want: 2" Strip of tan leather (3.5mm columbo side is what I have), with a 1" strap (made from the same) stitched around the outside with a buckle and eyelets.

I was thinking of putting a white padded lining on the inside. But I'm not sure what is best to use. Is a leather lining going to be sweaty / uncomfortable? If so then what other material would be good? If you could recommend a suitable leather from LePrevo, or similar, for the lining that would be good.

And what would you use to pad out the lining?

I was also thinking about using some single cap tubular rivets to add strength (and style). Can you tell me how much interference fit is good to have between the 'Stem Length' (as LePrevo call it) and the thickness of the layers you want to rivet? I was thinking of a 6mm Cap with a 5.5mm Stem for two layers of my 3.5mm hide...

For the lining, I was thinking of turning the edges in so that it goes over the edge of the cuff, and then turning it over again to hide the edge of the lining and then stitching through the whole thing so that the edges on the outside are also lined. Is this a good idea? Or should I keep the lining on the inside only?

Any help is appreciated and if I manage to make anything half decent then I'll get you some photos - thanks!

Edited February 21, 2012 by Harpo84

[Tree Reaper]

The lining is bound to get dirty, I would want to take it out for washing and make it removable.

Possibly use velcro on the leather and the lining in which case you could go with a wrist sweat band.

[NoName]

The velcro-in lining is a good idea. I prefer solid copper rivets for their strength and be sure to use a heavy duty buckle and D rings that have been welded together.

"bound to get dirty"....... nice pun

Edited February 21, 2012 by NoName

[Harpo84]

"bound to get dirty"....... nice pun

Oh, you guys

Thanks for the advice. I've added the welded heavy duty D-Rings and a nice Heavy Duty double roller buckle to my shopping list.

Solid Copper Rivets? Do you mean bifuricate rivets? The type with two legs that you hammer flat? I'll see what I can find.

The removable lining is a good idea. But I admit that I also like the idea of it being stitched, solid and rugged in one piece. I tried handstitching for the first time last night and loved it so I'll stitch anything I can get my hands on Any excuse.

[NoName]

The solid copper rivets I am referring to are sold at Tandy. Size 12 should work.

[Kevin]

If you do decide to sew the lining in, curve everything when you glue it together. You can flatten it out while you sew it, but if you don't curve it, the lining will wrinkle up badly on you.

Kevin

[RogueLeathers]

I have made a handful of these in the past. I can provide a better tutorial if you would like. I make mine 2.5 inches wide and long enough so that there is overlap of about 1-2 inches of the strap. I use an industiral sewing machine to secure my lining to the cuff. Leather has been fine as a lining material. I also use 1 strap that is 1 inch wide that goes all the way around the cuff instead of the 2 pieces shown in the image you provided.

use a 1/4 inch thick neoprene as the padding between the leather layers

rivet your strap to the cuff before attaching the lining

rivets (single cap) should stick out just above the top surface of leather. I have not had issues using single cap rivets on projects like this one.

Use a can or a jar when assembling (gluing) as Kevin said. I didn't do this on some of my first attempts so the leather would wrinkle when I put it on.

Be patient, be prepared to make mistakes, have fun with it.

[Harpo84]

Great advice - thank you guys,

I've been in touch with my supplier and they've suggested that Sheep Nappa might be good for the lining. Apparently White Suede (my initial thought) is hard to come by and even harder to clean / keep clean.

Regarding riveting before putting the lining on - I'm surprised that so many people don't do this. The majority that I've seen have exposed rivets on the inside. Not good. I was starting to wonder if there was a reason for it.

Will let you know how it goes.