Introduction

[Dragons Pearl]

Greetings and hallucinations all!

I just started leather working and have made a few projects, all Tandy kits and have had a blast doing it. I do want to branch out to my own designs in the future.

While I like the sewn stuff, I really like lacing the edges of the wallets, checkbook covers and roper wallets. What I need to know is how to reliably measure how much lace I will need for the project to limit splicing.

I have only done double loop style so far, but I have a book (it was in a lot of leather working stuff that I recently bought) by F. O. Baird, Leather Secrets that has a few more styles in it. When I get brave enough, I will try them out. :biggrin:

[Rawhide]

This book will tell you how to estimate the amount of lace required http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/product...number=61906-00. BUT I warn you to not use too much lace at one time. It is better to splice than to have enough lace for the whole project. The reason is that it will be very hard to keep the lace from twisting on you. the maximum amount of lace you should have should equal your wingspan or distance from one hand to the other with both arms stretched out as far as you can.

Hope this helps.

Marlon

[Beaverslayer]

I fully concur with Marlon. As someone that has done a lot of lacing it ois much wiser to use lengths of lace the length of your reach. I have laced with laces that were 8 to 10 times the length of the area to be laced, and found that, not only did it take longer to lace, as you have to spend so much time pulling all that lace through each time, but as you pull, you are wearing down all the extra lace as well. So once you have laced a ways, you will find that your seam is gradually getting smaller.

Splicing is the prefered way to go.

1) Less lace to pull each time.

2) Lace width stays consistent.

3) Your work will look much cleaner.

Ken

[Dragons Pearl]

Well thankee much for the info. Didn't really think of that

Making a purse for my mom (tandy kit ) and will be lacing it. Will take the info and run with it.

[Beaverslayer]

Good to here that Dragon. Be sure to post pics when you're done....we love pictures.

Ken

[wolvenstien]

Yeah, there is noting worse than having 15 yards of lace flying around while trying to lace it through a hole and it gets knotted up... not to mention it is much easier to keep it from twisting when you work with 1 yard (arms held out to your side, lace from left to right, cut it) instead of more....Also, somethign I have noticed when working with longer pieces is that not only will it stretch, but it get chaffed and will break and doens have an overall good look.... at the beginning of the splice it looks nice and new, then in the middle of the run towards the end of the splice it looks worn, then you splice in a new piece.... get the picture?

Welcome to the board also!

[Dragons Pearl]

I will try to post a pic after its done if I can figure out how

The only finish I have been using is Carnauba Cream as I have been concentrating on cutting, carving, staining and stamping so far. Figured that was enough to learn all at once and then I would start different types of finishes.

Hopefully this project will measure up to everyone else's here. I should have it done today I believe. Just have to put another coat of CC on and then glue in the insert and lace it.

[Dragons Pearl]

Worked out just great using about a yard of lace at a time! Looked really good too after I got it done. As soon as I figure out how to post a pic, I will have it up in the Show Off area.