Making straps for shoes

[SheltathaLore]

Perfect.  Thank you so much for all the help!  I'll start experimenting this week.

[SheltathaLore]

It occurs to me that I might actually want 1/4" tape, for a finished width of 3/8", since the folded edges will add some width.  1/4" is probably easier to find, too.

[RockyAussie]

2 hours ago, SheltathaLore said:

It occurs to me that I might actually want 1/4" tape, for a finished width of 3/8", since the folded edges will add some width.  1/4" is probably easier to find, too.

Strap could end up a bit less than 3/8" but that may be ok. I assume you would try and use the the full 2.5oz kid without splitting or skiving so watch the tape and your lining is not too thick.

[SheltathaLore]

Tried out stacked layers, and folded to the center with reinforcement tape in the middle.  Both seem reasonably viable.

(Yes, the backside is ugly.  I'm still getting the hang of my new machine and sewing in a straight line.)

 

[RockyAussie]

5 minutes ago, SheltathaLore said:

Tried out stacked layers, and folded to the center with reinforcement tape in the middle.  Both seem reasonably viable.

(Yes, the backside is ugly.  I'm still getting the hang of my new machine and sewing in a straight line.)

 

That is looking like you are getting there alright. Do you not have an edge guide? It is a little hard to say but I think your bobbin thread could go a weight smaller. I would tighten your top tension 1/2 a turn for the folded strap if using the thread you have used here. What machine are you using?

[SheltathaLore]

I don't currently have an edge guide, no.

I'm willing to downscale my bobbin thread - this is my first industrial walking foot (Consew 227), and I'm still figuring out all the tricks. 

Thanks for the tips!

[SheltathaLore]

This is just the prototype/an excuse to use up the ugly pink leather - I'm going to be using matching thread for the real version - so even if my stitching doesn't improve as much as I'd like, at least the wiggles will be a little bit less obvious.

You did say something skiving before; I thought I'd mention that I skived the folded strap fairly thin across the entire width before folding (but left the stacked strap alone).

[RockyAussie]

27 minutes ago, SheltathaLore said:

I don't currently have an edge guide, no.

I'm willing to downscale my bobbin thread - this is my first industrial walking foot (Consew 227), and I'm still figuring out all the tricks. 

Thanks for the tips!

I just checked your other posting and if this is as you said -- I'm using a size 18 triangle point needle and size 92 bonded nylon thread on a combined weight of 4-5 oz kidskin --- I think you should have a look at a thinner weight thread top and bottom. In Australia the 92 would be called a 30 metric. Mostly ladies shoe strap use a 40 metric with 60 bobbin (size 100/16 needle)or a 60 metric with 60 bobbin (size 90/14 needle). This may not be the look you want though in this case but I just though I should mention this. This attached pdf file may help  Brian

[SheltathaLore]

Worth a shot, thanks!

[SheltathaLore]

You're right - it looks much nicer with Tex 70 thread.

 

I think I need more machinery to make the folded straps consistent, so I'll probably stick with the stacked straps; they look perfectly fine to me, at least for this pair of shoes.