toxo Posted January 2, 2020 Report Posted January 2, 2020 My cuz has asked me to make her a largish tote and as I have a few coloured skins I thought I'd experiment with making the front and back panels using patchwork or strips. This brings two questions, what method of joining would be strong enough and which has more bulk on the inside. I'm thinking of glueing some pigskin on the inside to cover. I've forgotten the proper name for them but there's this one which has both seams on the one side and so is bulky but strong with two rows of stitches.... Or there's this one which I think looks better but the two seams are splayed out on both sides and so the side stitches are only decorative and don't add any strength. This means a reinforcing strip has to be used behind to maintain strength. This way uses three rows of stitches versus two for the other one but this one even with the reinforcing tape is less bulky. Have I missed an obvious alternative? Quote
Members zuludog Posted January 2, 2020 Members Report Posted January 2, 2020 I haven't done anything like this, but I would have thought that skiving the leather for the seam would make the resulting seam thinner Search YouTube for videos on making tote bags and similar. The one by Ian Atkinson is good. Or just play around with the Search Box for similar items, as long as you have the stamina for! Quote
toxo Posted January 2, 2020 Author Report Posted January 2, 2020 (edited) Ah yes! The skive. Forgot to mention I don't have one.With the amount of edges I'm talking about I'm not about to do it manually. Plus the leather is soft. This is the main reason I came up with this idea because the skins I have here are only .75 and 1mm thick so doable. The glued on pigskin idea is to cover the seams and to ensure that it's strong enough. Some kind of edge skiver might be on the cards for the future. Any recommendations for something that's not Mickey Mouse and not an arm and a leg? Edited January 2, 2020 by toxo Quote
Members Pintodeluxe Posted January 2, 2020 Members Report Posted January 2, 2020 Single felled seam vs. french seam. Both can be great depending on the application. Usually the single felled seam is too bulky on one side for my applications. Quote
Members billybopp Posted January 2, 2020 Members Report Posted January 2, 2020 On youtube cechaflo does some good vids on felled seams. The second one is usually called a French seam but you might also see it called double felled. - Bill Quote
toxo Posted January 3, 2020 Author Report Posted January 3, 2020 1 hour ago, billybopp said: On youtube cechaflo does some good vids on felled seams. The second one is usually called a French seam but you might also see it called double felled. - Bill Yes, I love Cesars vids. He's a maestro around a sewing machine and he teaches very well considering he never says anything. Quote
toxo Posted January 3, 2020 Author Report Posted January 3, 2020 17 hours ago, Pintodeluxe said: Single felled seam vs. french seam. Both can be great depending on the application. Usually the single felled seam is too bulky on one side for my applications. So assuming you use the French seam, what do you reinforce with? Quote
Members Pintodeluxe Posted January 3, 2020 Members Report Posted January 3, 2020 Upholstery supply shops sell a thin backing for French seams. It kind of looks like a strip of canvas. Quote
toxo Posted January 3, 2020 Author Report Posted January 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Pintodeluxe said: Upholstery supply shops sell a thin backing for French seams. It kind of looks like a strip of canvas. A lot of shops over here are still on holiday until Monday. Have looked online but haven't found it yet. I'm thinking "Duct tape" for now (don't know what you guys call it). It's sticky backed fabric but my only concern is will the glue stick to the needle/thread? I can't sew at light speed so it's not likely to get too warm. I guess I'll just have to suck it and see. Quote
Members zuludog Posted January 3, 2020 Members Report Posted January 3, 2020 45 minutes ago, toxo said: A lot of shops over here are still on holiday until Monday. Have looked online but haven't found it yet. I'm thinking "Duct tape" for now (don't know what you guys call it). It's sticky backed fabric but my only concern is will the glue stick to the needle/thread? I can't sew at light speed so it's not likely to get too warm. I guess I'll just have to suck it and see. No, don't use duct tape! It's strong, but it's a temporary measure and eventually the tape will move and adhesive will spread & smear, leaving you with a right mess that needs to be removed with a solvent like white spirit - I know this from experience, though that was with a nylon rucsac, not a leather bag. And yes, it will gum up the needle & thread. See if you can find the proper stuff, or have a browse round a haberdashers for some suitable ribbon. Or cut some strips of thin leather, like pigskin or deerskin Have a look at this supplier --- www.buy leatheronline.com They have lots of different types at reasonable prices. I recently bought some leather for wallets from them; they're reliable, delivery to UK was 6 or 7 days. I've been meaning to do a review of them for this forum, I must get round to it Quote
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