Newbie Question - 2 Layer Long Bag Strap

[Juliette]

Hi Everyone!

  I am looking for tips on how to most efficiently construct a long (~45"), skinny (5/8") two layer strap out of upholstery leather. So far I have been folding over a large piece of leather and gluing the flesh sides together, then cutting a straight edge, then cutting to width, then sewing around the whole thing.  The thing is, it has been hard to get a nice clean cut edge, and very hard to cut a consistent width down the length of the strap.  Anyone have a different method I could try? Also, I've been using water based leather adhesive - should I be using contact cement instead? 

 

Thank you!

Juliette

[JLSleather]

Upholstery leather?  Tough to get any kind of an edge on that stuff, I would think.  So, from a guy who admittedly doesn't use it... here's a 'out loud' thought:

• Cut a straight strip about twice as wide as you want to end up with.  
• Make a center line mark on the "underside" - can be pen, marker, whatever since it will get covered.  
• Put yer glue on there (you could actually use rubber cement if you prefer.. only has to hold until it's stitched, really. 
• Tap it flat (not so much you stretch the stuff), flip it over, and stitch 1/8" (ish) each side of the center.

This would be all needed for a "straight" strap.  Cures that 'rough edge' issue.  Other things to "figger" depending on what you do with the ends (riveted?  sewn onto rings or dees? etc?)

 

[Juliette]

Thank you for taking the time to reply - I'll have to give this a try! I am folding the ends of the strap over a swivel snap end and riveting into place.

Thanks again!

Juliette