Sewing Headache

[BDAZ]

The only solution is to glue and stitch 2 separate pieces of elastic to both sides turned instide out, then stitch the elastic together, possibly with a thin folded trip of leather as a reinforcement and then turn right side out.

That would do the job IF the stitching on the elastic holds.

Cya!

Bob

[OurJud]

Here is a picture of what I was describing. I'm using a yellow post-it note as the elastic material. This approach will allow you to access both sides (the leather and the elastic material). Let me know if this clarifies my comment.

Thanks, Paul, I appreciate you going to such lengths to illustrate your method.

Unfortunately (please don't hate me) I only half understand. Your illustration shows how to attach the elastic to one piece of leather, but what about the other piece?

BDAZ, I'm getting slightly embarrassed by this thread now, and have to admit I still don't understand your suggestion.

But look, this is my problem and you've all gone out of your way to try and help (sorry I haven't understood most of your ideas).

I'll just say a big thanks to all of you, but I won't take up any more of your time with this now. Just gonna have to figure it out myself (using the answers already given as a guide ).

Edited March 13, 2014 by OurJud

[BDAZ]

Jud, just imagine a square of leather. Stitch the edge of a wide piece of elastic to the edge of one piece, then do the same with another peice of elastic on the other piece of leather. You are left with two separate pieces of leather with elastic at one edge. Place pieces grain to grain, line up the edges and then run a stitch down the elastic leaving as of a "margin" as required. Fold the two pieces flesh to flesh and voila! Now do this for 3 sides instead of one and you are done! Of course you will have to turn the item inside out at the end instead of folding.

Cya!

Bob

Edited March 14, 2014 by BDAZ

[OurJud]

But how can I do the same with the other two edges, after I've stiched the first? The freedom of movement and accessibilty that allowed me to stitch the first edge in place will be lost once I've stitched it.

I'm just not understanding the 'turn it inside out' part or why you think I will have easy access to the other three sides after I've stitched the first.

I'm honestly starting to think I have serious mental and learning issues, as these instructions are obviously making perfect sense to everyone but me.

[BDAZ]

The one edge is just for an example. In reality you would stitch around the edge on 3 sides then turn the wallet right side out. Simplistico!

[OurJud]

The one edge is just for an example. In reality you would stitch around the edge on 3 sides then turn the wallet right side out. Simplistico!

I really am getting a headache now.

Either I'm the stupidest person on God's earth or you're not understanding what it is I'm trying to do.

Having said that, looking at gary's illustration again (post #17), I think it finally clicked. I can see how he's saying I need to do it, the only bit I don't understand is why he's suggesting I need to stitch it inside out in the first place. In that I want the elastic on the inside (as in the first two drawings) why can't I just do it like this but with the leather the right way round?

Edited March 14, 2014 by OurJud

[Stephenpuhakish]

Actually that's just what I was trying to say. Flip grain side and flesh side in his diagram and skip the flip. Dress the edge up and voila

[OurJud]

Okay, for the benefit of those who haven't given up on me... :D

I thought it only right to tie up this thread and say I've finally decided how I'm going to do it. I was having a good mess around with cardboard templates/prototypes and came up with this:

Diag 1: Two pieces of leather, cut to size as before. Then I take a length of elastic (long enough to wrap around the length of a credit card with a slight lap over where they meet again. I then lay and glue this elastic, centrally, on the flesh side of one piece of leather with some stretch glue, and run a stitch up either side, thus securing the elastic in place.

Diag 2: I then take the other piece of leather and cut a slot from top to bottom at either end. Then feed the loose ends of the elastic around the edge and back through the slots on either end (so that the elastic is now on the inside again (indicated by the dashed line)). Glue the ends together. Done.

Please note, I have the flesh side and skin side the wrong way round in diag 2.

Edited March 14, 2014 by OurJud

[roleram]

What I thought of is making the leather pieces like a bag and using the elastic pieces all around the leather like a gusset on a saddle bag. I imagine this would stretch.