Tallbald Report post Posted June 27, 2014 (edited) I probably should have this issue resolved after three years of making holsters for self and family, but it always seems to turn into a "by guess and by golly" thing. When I start to design a holster I have the gun on hand and trace the stitch line I need to make on a cardboard cutout. I use this to draw the line on the stiff folded leather . I know I must account for the width of the gun (revolver vs. auto, etc) and the leather wrapping around the gun. Trouble is that being off either way by 1/4 inch can ruin the fit of gun in the holster. I've watched several tutorials through the years but can't get the hang of consistent first time fit. Are other makers perhaps wetting the leather then boning it before marking the line? Anyone have suggestions? Maybe it's just the nature of holster making. Thank you all. Don Edited June 27, 2014 by Tallbald Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paramedic04 Report post Posted June 27, 2014 (edited) Take this for what it's worth, I'm a novice, but what I've done to obtain my stitch lines is use a caliper to determine the thickness of the widest portion of the slide of the weapon. Take the measurement and divide it in half, then add 1/8". Do the same thing for the trigger guard. Once I have those adjusted measurements, I use a compass set to those measurements to use as a guide. Then break out the straight edge and make your final mark on your pattern. I may be doing it wrong, but I've had some really nice seams as a result of this process. For example, I'm working on a Glock 22 IWB at the moment. Slide thickness is roughly 1". Divided by 2 is 1/2", add your 1/8" seam allowance making the distance from weapon to seam 5/8". The trigger guard is 5/8", divided in half is 5/16", added 1/8" makes distance to seam 7/16". I wish I could find the page that I saw that on, I would throw the link up here. Edited June 27, 2014 by Paramedic04 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Report post Posted June 27, 2014 If you go to the Holster Section there is a tutorial for the Cowboy Holster that will help on this Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted June 28, 2014 The ONE tried, . . . true, . . non guessing way to do it , . . cut out the rough holster,. . . wet the leather, . . Mold the holster, . . . let it fully dry, . . glue the edges together, . . . mark and sew. Never fails, . . . period! And you ca forget worrying about leather thickness, . . . etc. May God bless Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
