Leather Binding

[nategines]

I am looking for some leather binding? Does anyone know where I might be able to pick some up? This is my first binding experience with leather, so I don't know what I am doing yet. Is leather binding something that you can buy? or is it something that is generally made? What about binding attachments (I have a Singer 45K25)?

[machinehead]

Here is a Canadian supplier. https://www.etsy.com/listing/231439430/34-flat-lambskin-binding-in-brown-5-yds?ref=shop_home_active_4&ga_search_query=binding

[TinkerTailor]

That etsy supplier is charging over 10 dollars a square foot for leather that probably cost 5 or less.

Just buy upholstery weight hides and strip them yourself.

I will post an easy technique to do straight short strips the length of the hide later today when i have more time.

[nategines]

TinkerTailor thanks! I would love to see how its done. Thanks for your helpfulness.

[TinkerTailor]

Lighter chrome tanned leathers can be very stretchy and hard to cut. The proper way is cutting the strips in a circular pattern from the hide. This gives longer strips, but is more difficult.

Here are 2 ways i have handled accurate cutting on thin stuff. With both methods you just need a straight-edge and a big cutting surface. A sheet of plywood will work. A length of aluminum angle from the hardware store is a good straightedge

1. Use double sided basting tape under your cut line to hold it down while you cut. This requires a strip for every cut. You just peel it off later. Bit of a pain in the but..
2. Lightly dust the backside of the whole hide with 3m spray77 contact adhesive. The object is not to coat it or glue it, just give it some tack. Stick it down to a large cutting surface, and cut away, one strip at a time working your way down the hide. If you use this method, the glue may not slide through the binder well. The less you use the better, and the longer you wait after cutting the better. Giving the backside a very light oiling or a quick rub with some wax before feeding it in should help. This method also can't be used if the backside shows on the final product.

I also use these methods to hold leather down when cutting complex pattern pieces and inlay holes.

Edited February 10, 2016 by TinkerTailor

[nategines]

Great! Thanks for the info. I will give it a try. Great tutorial!

[jimi]

Hi there, seems like you have picked a hard one here? i have done a couple of short runs at binding and personally find it challenging? hahaha! as we are talking about and older machine which seems to me needs a bit of time to master unlike the modern binders. first of all the binders that came with the 45k machines can take a bit of time to find, unless your machine came with all the parts for that operation. i had to wait a while to find one for mine and in the end it was an adler binder which is the same as the singer ones. then you would need the presser foot #85753 which is the one for this operation. i will leave the linen thread in that i used for your other post and sew a small piece.

[jimi]

the width i used for this is 21mm wide and then i creased it to help keep the shape. you need to keep the middle piece of leather pushed up against the right side guide and also make sure the top side of the binding keeps up against its small arm guide, and hope the bottom of the binding keeps up against the small guide on the bottom of the foot, which is the step. it is not that easy as you think, but the more you try the better i am sure you will get.

Edited February 13, 2016 by jimi

[jimi]

as you see i used some veg tanned leather as this marks very easy on the bottom side due to your feed dog. then the next picture shows if you wet the leather then smooth out the marks it is not too noticable. if you want to bind say the edge of a bag or something similar where both good sides of the leather are facing outwards then the left hand row of teeth will mark your leather.

Edited February 13, 2016 by jimi

[jimi]

this is another option but you would be in the same boat? you would need the foot to go with this needle plate which has a modern type binder incorporated, or try to fit one on to your 45k somehow?? this looks like an Adler machine not a singer 45k so may not fit. whese binders are easier to use compared to the older type ( just my personal opinion). but the one in the picture might possibly have the same problem with veg tanned leather leaving marks on the bottom. unless it is a needle feed or jumping foot?? also that is just a small straight run of binding, when it comes to curves etc??? it gets harder to keep it in line, but not impossible . if you use chrome tanned leather i am sure you will get less marking on the bottom side of the binding. i will have look and see if i have some around and will do a test to compare. hope this helps.

Edited February 13, 2016 by jimi

[nategines]

Jimi,

The image that you just sent is the kind of binder I have. Looks like I will just need to get a new foot and cut it off to make it fit. Thanks for the photo I wasn't sure how to even attach it.

Thanks for all the help! I need all I can I get.

[jimi]

No Problem, just a quick update on the binder. i have just made a new needle plate and as i imagined this one looks as if it will work better although i have to try it out a bit more. you can see in the picture that the feed dog does not feed on the binding as now it only has the left row of teeth feeding. i did not find this information from the groups of accesories in the parts book for the 45k21,25 etc.. the only needle plate for the 45k21,25 etc with a single row of teeth to the left has a knife setup with it. so this needle plate is not present in the parts book?? there is only the right hand one?? although i supose on a tight corner it might touch the binding ?? not sure. now i will finish the plate and try another run.

Edited February 19, 2016 by jimi

[jimi]

sorry nategines, when i said to keep the bottom of the binding up against the foot it dosent, it is the top. there is no guide on the bottom?.

[RocketDesign]

Wow Jimi! Thanks for all the help! Its very informative. I am going to have a go at it this next week. I don't have all the parts, but I am going to see if I can't find some. Or build some.

[jimi]

your welcome! remember the parts book had illustrations of the parts full,half and quarter size, so if you have one around with that binder attachment (it comes in almost all of the 45k classes parts books) you could use that as a guide for size. if you need any measurements " just hawler"

[nycnycdesign]

Just passing along some info although this an old thread. These guys based out of Montreal carry all types of leather binding tape and can split and cut down hides you send them. Waiting on my first order to come in from them but Reuben, the owner, seems like a good guy. 

http://www.cooper1001.com/language/en/

I'll post an update when I get the binding in but I'm fairly optimistic.