Hand sew elastic to leather

[doorty]

I tried to use clips to keep the elastic stretched while sewing but it was near impossible. Anyone have suggestions? I want to add an elastic pocket to the side of a bag.

[Rockoboy]

Can you sew a seam along the edge with a space to run some elastic through? Sort of like a draw string top, but with elastic to automatically cinch the top closed, instead of a pull cord.  

[DJole]

Assuming that you have already made stitching holes in the leather, you should be able to stretch the elastic then push pins (like for fabric sewing) through both the hole and the elastic to hold it in place. 
I did this while stitching a cloth liner inside a bag, and I had to find a way to keep it taut while stitching. 

[doorty]

10 hours ago, DJole said:

I did this while stitching a cloth liner inside a bag, and I had to find a way to keep it taut while stitching. 

Yea, that's what I'm struggling with. It keeps recoiling.

[Grumpymann]

I glued the elastic to a piece of thick poster board with paper over it. Held strong enough to keep a 10 inch tablet secure. That may help.

[DJole]

5 hours ago, doorty said:

Yea, that's what I'm struggling with. It keeps recoiling.

Try safety pins, perhaps? They should lock the elastic in place.