Stitching Unlined Works

[MikeF]

I'm watching the work of a few of my online peers and noticing that they are going to great lengths to stitch up straps and casework, but not really lining the leather and not for obvious structural or assembly reasons.  I've certainly stitched my share of works but only if I was lining a piece or making a connection and on the rarest of occasions for an aesthetic effect. 

Does anybody else on these forums do this?  Is there some function other than "looks"?  Particularly the straps---does stitching prevent stretching and loss of shape over time?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Mike

[RockyAussie]

I think there is often an aesthetic reason but I do it often to reduce the stretch in the straps at least for some time. I have never done a scientific type off pull test to verify that but, just pulling by hand 2 straps cut from the same hide there is a noticeable reduction in the stretch of the stitched one. This may depend on the closeness of the stitch spacing and the thread type and how well it is done. If the tensions were loose both sides it probably would not help.

[MikeF]

Appreciate the comment RockyAussie...with that line of thinking I suspect it could be a value added feature---I'll give it a try and see how my clients react.  Thanks again.

[bikermutt07]

It's probably mostly ascetics. I see lots of extra stitches on Tony See's patterns?