Lining Leather- How Do I?

[Sarah C]

Maybe I'm missing something but I can't seem to find any topics on here explaining how to line leather. I tried once with pigs skin and it turned out horrible. The edges were... Just awful. That's putting it lightly.

I'm interested in lining some collars (for humans) and chokers and bracelets and the like... And I can't find any kind of info. If anyone can explain or link me, I'd appreciate it.

I'm interested in adhesives, how to get the edges correct and lined up, is it necessary to stitch on top of gluing, or is just glue okay, etc.

Thanks!!

[Dwight]

While I have never made collars for humans, . . . I could probably think of some who need them, . . .

But I do make dog collars: I line them with veggie tan leather, . . . hair side out, . . . contact cemented together, . . . stitched along the edges.

Edges are easy, . . . first, get a strap cutter, . . . cut both pieces (outer and liner) with the same strap cutter, . . . at the same time. Do whatever is needed for the ends, . . . buckles, rings, punchings, etc, . . . contact cement the flesh sides of both, . . . when it dries, . . . stick em together. If you are very careful at putting them together, . . . only a small touch up will be needed on a flat sander, . . . edges will be super.

If your products are not expected to get a lot of abuse, . . . or a lot of sweat, . . . you may be able to get away with cement only, . . . or glue only. If they are going to be "used" you'll want to stitch them.

Hope this helps, may God bless,

Dwight

[Sarah C]

Dwight, I never thought of using my strap cutter for both at once! Genius! Do you think I could glue them together? Then punch and add hardware?

[Andrew Chee]

I usually will glue the liner on flesh side to flesh side using contact cement. I make the strap pieces oversized. So if I am making a 1" strap I will cut 1.25" strips, glue them together and then cut 1/8" off each side. You get a clean edge that way. I use a ruler and a roller knife instead of a strap cutter but either would work well. But if you want to then edge the corners and burnish the edges, you have to be more careful about what leather you use. Softer chrome tanned leathers just won't edge and burnish as well simply cause it's soft. After you glue and cut you can stitch the edges if you want but contact cement is pretty strong stuff and you might not have to (depending on the application).

Andrew