Harry Marinakis Report post Posted January 10, 2015 I am looking for advice on how to make a rolled edge with hidden stitches. By rolled edge I mean as if a the edge had piping, or like the leather was rolled around a 2mm cord. Other threads here that mention "rolled edges" are actually referring to folded edges, not rolled edges. Like this thread: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=57474&hl=%2Brolled+%2Bedge#entry369354 Any ideas on how to make rolled edges with hidden stitches? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Birdman Report post Posted January 10, 2015 They are made inside out and then turned the right way. Dampen leather where it will be turned before turning. Use a rolling block to finish off. Attached pics are of the rolled edge on a falconry glove. Its been in use for 3 seasons, so apologies for not showing something pristine---but it shoes the work lasts! The pics also show how to finish the ends. Hope this helps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harry Marinakis Report post Posted January 10, 2015 They are made inside out and then turned the right way. Dampen leather where it will be turned before turning. Use a rolling block to finish off. Attached pics are of the rolled edge on a falconry glove. Its been in use for 3 seasons, so apologies for not showing something pristine---but it shoes the work lasts! The pics also show how to finish the ends. Hope this helps. Sorry, I don't get it. Can you please elaborate? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Birdman Report post Posted January 10, 2015 Here we go... OK. Look at the pictures above. You will see that the rolled edge is actually made up of 3 pieces of leather. The middle bit is the bit that rolls. It needs to be thinner than the other two pieces. Its width is determined by the size of the filler that is placed inside this middle piece that is rolled. In the pics, the middle piece is about 1". that has produced a roll of about 1/4" >3/8". A length of para cord was use as the filler in the illustrated example, but you could use thronging, strimmer line, leather strips, thread etc You stitch together the edges of the 3 pieces of leather taking care to join them in such a manner as you wish to see the finished item. ie if you want all surfaces showing to be grain, then you join the grain sides and stitch from the flesh sides. Next stage is to put the insert over the centre piece. A tad or two of contact adhesive will hold it in place. Then dampen the grain side of the centre piece. Then you close the two stitched edges together and stitch. Use the existing stitch places, but, if say you stitched at 8/", do every 3rd mark---just enough to hold the edges closed but not so much as making a load of extra work. This will close the roll. Then re dampen the rolled centre piece AND the stitched seams and flip it so that the other two pieces meet and leave your rolled edge on the outside. Bingo! A rolling/rounding block can be used to further enhance the shape. This is a lump of hard wood that has had a series of half round grooves of varying widths routed into it. The wetted leather roll is laid into the appropriate groove (start with a larger groove) and tapped gently along the stitched edge with a tack hammer. Move leather to a narrower groove and repeat. And so on and so on....... This moulds the roll. Allow to dry. I hope this does not appear as clear as mud! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harry Marinakis Report post Posted January 10, 2015 Got it, thanks! Is this what you mean? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Birdman Report post Posted January 10, 2015 Yes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MonicaJacobson Report post Posted January 10, 2015 Cool. Thanks for the detailed how-to. Someone should pin this to the tutorial page so it's easy to find. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harry Marinakis Report post Posted February 8, 2015 Well... I made a sword scabbard and tried this method to add some piping around the rain guard. But it did not work because there were too many curves and angle changes. So I used an alternate technique that wasn't quite as clean. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craftsman Made Report post Posted February 8, 2015 Excellent how-to birdman. This is what I use to flatten out seams it's called a seam turner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor Report post Posted February 8, 2015 Hey there Harry. I've delved into the rolled edge a little. Here is the picture. Is this what you wanted? Cheers Trevor "Way Down Under" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harry Marinakis Report post Posted February 8, 2015 (edited) Trevor, looks like you used the same technique as I did? I sanded the leather very thin Glued a cord down the middle of the trim, folded it over and glued it closed Then I sandwiched the trim between the inner and outer layers and stitched it Trevor's stitching is much cleaner than mine! More of a semi-rolled edge than a true rolled edge. Edited February 8, 2015 by Harry Marinakis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
