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  • Contributing Member
Posted (edited)

Couple of things here ....

1) As a rule, you'll need about 7.5 - 8 times the length for that type of lacing stitch. Your bag is 10x11 (front) and 11 x 16 (body) yes? That would be a length of 96" (from your numbers) which would require about 768" of lace (translation, 64feet, or 22 yards). Judging the size of the bag from the pictures, you may need a bit less than that - but that's a guess from a photo.

2) When I re-lace something, I don't take it completely apart. Cut the lace about 6-8" along one edge with a scissor. You can run the scissor right along the edge, cutting the "loops" off of the lace without harming the bag at all. You could use a knife as well, but the scissor can't hurt the bag if it slips, where a knife very well could. Then just pull the 'bits' through just like in your pictures. Begin lacing there, and when you're close to where the old lace starts, just cut back some more. The bag never actuall comes apart (no holes to meticulously line up).

3) For all it's simplicity, that's still a nice looking bag. Certainly there are people who could do this for you quickly and for not so much money. Unless you'd just like the experience of doing it yourself, Aaron's proposition sounds more than reasonable.

Oh, and

4) The products you mentioned are really not for "dry". You'll get any number of recommendations for this, but Neatsfoot oil or Lexol conditioner would likely be a better bet than the things you have. If you're going to attempt the project yourself, I would do any conditioning before beginning to cut the lace... but that may be just personal preference.

Edited by JLSleather

JLS  "Observation is 9/10 of the law."

IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.

5 leather patterns

  • Contributing Member
Posted

Oh, you may look at the bag, then look at the purse, and wonder why they don't quite look the same. This could cause someone to wonder what he's doing wrong while lacing.

So, here's the thing... those lace stitches are angled 'right' .... like this / / / / / / / / / /

the book likely shows the stitches angled to the left, ................ like this \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \

Not that one is right or wrong, and since the holes are slits in a straight line, likely don't matter (if you do the whole bag the same way). Likely done either from the inside (which makes the stitches look the 'other way' from the outside) or by a 'lefty' . Just observation from the poop deck ....

JLS  "Observation is 9/10 of the law."

IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.

5 leather patterns

  • Members
Posted

Well I took a stab at it! My first bit of lacing looks kind of junky but I think I'm just going to let that be, It took me quite a few hours to get this far, but I think I have the hang of it now. I was brought up with needlework and such, and was always taught if it isn't right you do it again, so that's what I did!

I like the idea of just taking out parts as I go around, rather than the whole bag at once, I think it makes it less daunting. I really appreciate the offers of doing it for me <3 they are deeply appreciated, unfortunately, I just don't have any money right now, and I'm a rather crafty person so I think it's kind of fun. I do crochet and knitting and needlepoint too so this is just another fun handwork skill to learn. I think the lacing will start to look better once I get my tension right, and consistent. I'll try to find some neatsfoot oil down at the old mule barn, they have all kinds of farm-ey things.

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Posted

Don't put too much NF oil on at once. Light applications and leave soak in. If you get too much on, the leather will get soggy. You will find lots of threads here about how to apply NF oil, and also how to eliminate the excess oil when people put on too much.

Tom

  • Members
Posted

Tom, I found some, an 8oz bottle for 5$ would that be sufficient? also, will it darken the leather? I like the color it is. I also have coconut oil and olive oil at home if either would be better suited. the lexol conditioner is $9.99 for 8oz so I'd rather get the cheaper neatsfoot if it's comparable. I'm not sure which is better suited, or will soak in better. The top of the bag (where it bends) is getting finite spider crack wearing and so I'd like to treat that as well so it doesn't crack with use.

Posted

The NF oil should be pure, not a compound containing other stuff. NF oil does darken leather. The purse has a finish on it that may not take oil very easily. It is probably a lacquer which really seals the leather. If the oil doesn't reach the leather evenly across the surface, it can be blotchy looking. It may even out over an extended period. Some people are using extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). They say it doesn't darken the leather as much. I have a contour belt that I made in 1969. It was finished with NeatLac. It sat in the drawer for most of the time since. It was getting dried out, so applied a little NF oil to the front and to the back. The back was raw, no sealer or conditioner. It turned to a dark brown. I'll attach a couple photos so you can see the difference.

Before

post-16698-0-88839600-1395423974_thumb.j

After

post-16698-0-36591300-1395423946_thumb.j

Tom

  • Contributing Member
Posted

8 ounces of oil should last about 30 years. Well, maybe not that long, but seriously you need like half a teaspoon for the WHOLE bag.

JLS  "Observation is 9/10 of the law."

IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.

5 leather patterns

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