Piping question

[Stetson912]

I think the issue with the stitches showing like that is the shape of your holes. You will see improvement if you can get round holes. Higher spi will help too (8-9 should be fine). You should be able to stitch just behind the "bead" and not have the stitches be visible unless you really stretch the leather out.

Ks blade makes round hole pricking irons in case you were going to search them out. I'm not aware of any others but they could be out there. Maybe you can use a sharp round needle or scratch awl to make your holes as well? I haven't experimented with this personally.

[Retswerb]

On 5/29/2018 at 12:15 PM, Dunluce said:

(may grandson says it looks like an elephant’s arse)

I have nothing constructive to add to this conversation, just wanted to say... he’s not wrong! 

[beaulama]

Hello, I make Birkin bags and I use the Rocky-Aussie method.

Here is a picture I found on the net wich shows how to do that : cut an a 90° angle and ply the piping inside the bag then make the seam hand stich or machine stitch.

 

 

 

[Smartee]

Okay - so, as a cake decorator - I was trying to figure out how/why you would "pipe" anything on a bag :D

[TwinOaks]

2 hours ago, Smartee said:

Okay - so, as a cake decorator - I was trying to figure out how/why you would "pipe" anything on a bag :D

It's done to make a seam a little more attractive/decorative, or to add a stiffener to keep a shape.  As mentioned above (one of the posts), piping can have a semi-rigid filler sandwiched inside.  The effect is that there's a hidden 'frame' holding the bag into the desired shape. 
The 'How?' is actually pretty simple - you can purchase commercially available piping, or....start with a strip of leather/textile and either simply fold, or fold around a filler, and glue it in place.  Most piping will have relief cuts on the flat portion to prevent buckling around curves and corners.  To install it, place it between layers with the right sides facing in, and sew.

 

[beaulama]

Hello, I recently discovered another way for piping. Here is the link where you can see it. Alain.