how can i glue, clamp, immobilize the leather while sewing it?

[Patrice]

Once again, i asking for some advices!

I try to make a medieval pouch using my old Necchi sewing machine and was frustrated when both pieces of leather where moving.

So, i would like to know how can i glue, clamp, immobilize the leather while sewing it. I'm sewing leather inside out and then turn it back on the good side. So, grain on grain, the leather keep sliding under the foot of my sewing machine.

I'm in my break lunch now, but i can post some picture of my sewing machine, my leather and my failure:angry: when i come home tonight!

[Art]

Hi Patrice,

Apply Barge cement to each side you want to stick together and let it dry until it is tacky. When cement dries tacky, stick sides together. Barge is a contact cement so there is no opportunity to unstick them once they are put together. You can then clamp with spring clamps and let dry for 1/2 hour or if in a hurry just sew as the pieces will stay together. You can Hammer lightly to set the glue better. Keep the cement to the outside of the stitch line so when you turn right side out you won't see the glue. Over time stitches may show a little so choose colour accordingly. You could use a white glue like tanners bond (Fiebing) but you need to clamp it up and wait a half hour or so for it to get some strength. If you are depending on contact cement or white glue for some of the construction strength, rough up the grain side a little before applying the glue.

Art

Once again, i asking for some advices!

I try to make a medieval pouch using my old Necchi sewing machine and was frustrated when both pieces of leather where moving.

So, i would like to know how can i glue, clamp, immobilize the leather while sewing it. I'm sewing leather inside out and then turn it back on the good side. So, grain on grain, the leather keep sliding under the foot of my sewing machine.

I'm in my break lunch now, but i can post some picture of my sewing machine, my leather and my failure:angry: when i come home tonight!

Edited September 13, 2007 by Art

[Patrice]

Thank's Art!

I'm not relying on glue to hold the whole project, but i'm using glue to prevent different pieces from moving while sewing it under the pressure foot! I used upholstery thread and it is strong enough.

I have some contact cement. I won't trying tonight, but maybe next tuesday! Having a girlfriend outside of Montréal, i will go see her this week-end :angel_not:

[Art]

Hi Patrice,

Make sure you have plenty of fresh air when using contact cement.

Art

Thank's Art!

I'm not relying on glue to hold the whole project, but i'm using glue to prevent different pieces from moving while sewing it under the pressure foot! I used upholstery thread and it is strong enough.

I have some contact cement. I won't trying tonight, but maybe next tuesday! Having a girlfriend outside of Montréal, i will go see her this week-end :angel_not:

[Randy Cornelius]

When I sew two pieces like you are doing I use a product called Fabric Tack. I buy it at Walmart in the craft dept. I now order it by the case from the maufacturer. It is a clear glue that bonds in seconds. It has no or very little smell. I work a small area at a time and use binder clips that I buy by the box at Office Depot to hold it all together until it drys. . After I have it all glued and clamped I start sewing, removing the binder clips as I go. I have also used just the binder clips without glue with good success. That way when you turn your project inside out you do not have any glue showing. I use this method for making purses and other bags.

Just keep trying it will get better. We have all been there when we started. It helps to have someone to ask and get so many responces. You can pick the ones that work best for you.

Randy

[Luke Hatley]

Thank's Art!

I'm not relying on glue to hold the whole project, but i'm using glue to prevent different pieces from moving while sewing it under the pressure foot! I used upholstery thread and it is strong enough.

I have some contact cement. I won't trying tonight, but maybe next tuesday! Having a girlfriend outside of Montréal, i will go see her this week-end :angel_not:

Patrice , i use Barge cement also. another thing i use are Staples , works for me.

[Suze]

Have you tried useing a "walking foot" (they have the little rollers in them)

I found that working with "Stuborn Fabric" (frating- rattin velvet) that the maching was moving the bottom layer and not the top evenly

I also have an old Nechii (bought in the early 50's) and while it will sew through just about anything

Would plain old "rubber cement" work to stick it together? Would that "rub off" when you were done with it?

I have a bunch pieces of soft leather (garage sale find) that I was thinking of making some pouches out of(dice bags, anyone?) and this is a thread that is intresting to me, too.

[Beaverslayer]

I use a water soluable arborite contact cement. It is blue in color, and works very well on either the flesh or grain side of leather, you just have to sand a bit on the flesh side for it to adhere.

Even if it comes into contact with the most expensive of deerskin or snakeskin, you can just let it dry and it will rub off very easily. I buy it from "Home Hardware" which unfortunately is a Canadian hardware store. I have never been able to find the same kind of glue at Home Depot.

Ken

[Art]

Hi Ken,

I can never seem to find anything at Home Depot, I have used Lowe's forever and just can't adjust to HD. If you have a local "Real" hardware store (I do) you may be able to find things like Lexol and Dr. Jacksons and many good chemicals and glues that can work in a pinch, those places are a dieing breed around here.

Art

I have never been able to find the same kind of glue at Home Depot.

Ken

[Studio-N]

Double sided tape.

[Beaverslayer]

Art,

I buy the contact cement I use in the gallon can, that way it lasts for a LONG time. I just put it into a small sqeeze bottle for ease of use.

As for Home Depot, the only thing that is easy to find there is an orange bib.

Ken

[Seasoned Warrior]

I like the old Necchi BU models and have several (I'm always afraid they'll break but none have in a number of years). I work with many different types of leather and skins (hair on) some of which are very supple and slippery. I lower the dogs until they barely touch and help pull the material through (you can feel when the dogs engage) and don't have any problems, even rabbit skins feed well. I don't use any adhesives becasue I don't like the residue. Good luck!

[Patrice]

I like the old Necchi BU models and have several (I'm always afraid they'll break but none have in a number of years). I work with many different types of leather and skins (hair on) some of which are very supple and slippery. I lower the dogs until they barely touch and help pull the material through (you can feel when the dogs engage) and don't have any problems, even rabbit skins feed well. I don't use any adhesives becasue I don't like the residue. Good luck!

Thank you for advice!

But, being a french speaking man, i really don't know what is the dog part your talking about :scratchhead:

Mayb if you can show me a picture of the "dog" part i will understand better!

Many thanks!

[Art]

Hi Patrice,

One picture is generally a better translator:

Art

Thank you for advice!

But, being a french speaking man, i really don't know what is the dog part your talking about :scratchhead:

Mayb if you can show me a picture of the "dog" part i will understand better!

Many thanks!

[ghstrydr164]

Staples, that’s what we use in upholstery class, quick and easy. Buy one that has a handle that squeezes like a pair of shears it will handle suede with ease.

Cyrus

[Projectlover]

Hello, looking for advice. My husband is doing upholstery work on his car and the fabric he is using is leather but the problem he’s having is while the glue is still drying he needs some kind of clamps or clips so the leather won’t come back up while he’s doing other sections. What does anybody recommend for that type of project?

[billybopp]

I don't have a leather sewing machine, but I do hand sew and use binder clips to hold things together, such as these from Amazon.  You can find them at any office supply store as well.  If I am using a type of leather that is easily marked by the binder clips, I'll use popsicle sticks between the jaws and leather to spread out the clamping pressure.  

- Bill