Leather Rugby (Football) Ball

[DJ1935]

Oh, dont you just love it when someone turns up to the shop at 5 oclock on a Friday afternoon with one of those "can you do anything with this"? jobs!

"This" is a leather rugby or football on which the stitching has gone in one seam. It was originally stitched inside out and, presumably, turned right side through the hole which the bladder goes into. Has anyone done one of these? Would I be right in thinking that the ball would have to be wet to turn it? (fingers crossed that it doesnt disintergrate in the process).

This aint going to be easy! Kind of like putting a V8 in a Mini Cooper.

[dirtclod]

DJ here's a movie where they make a football. It looks like the guy steams it before he turns them right side out. http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/how_to_make_an_american_football_18239.asp Good luck on fixing yours.

[DJ1935]

Thank you, Dirtclod, that was most interesting. Boy, that guy has been turning those inside out for a while - bet he does it in his sleep! You are right it looks like they warm them first. Of course it is nice new leather too which helps. I'll have a go with this old one and (fingers crossed) see what happens.

DJ

[cem]

How thick is the leather, if it's a rugby ball it will have thicker leather than an American football and will be an absolute nightmare to try and turn wet. You will need to do it like an Australian football search for Syd Sherrin on You tube he has a couple of videos of sewing the old hand style way.

Even though it will take longer it's easier to re sew old balls by hand I've done quite a few Australian ones also for the old balls depending on the seam that needs to be fixed it's possible to re sew without turning. If you have a photo of it I can help further and give instructions on what needles etc to use. You can pm me if you prefer if you don't want to put up a photo on the forum.

Cheers,

Clair