How do you fold leather straps?

[RockyAussie]

I am curious to see what sort of techniques and tools you would use to make folded leather straps such as used on a handbag?

[Constabulary]

I once got a bunch of "strap folder" for double needle machines from a closed leather business. Most are gone (sold too cheap) and I only have 2 left. Never used them but you never know. They are single folds so I do not know what kind of strap they used it for. I´m sure there are other strap folders out there that produce clean edges (triple fold?). Maybe clean edge binder attachment can do the work but of course depends on the leather you want to use.

Edited June 15, 2021 by Constabulary

[chrisash]

With thin leather straps i was taught to cut four times the width required plus 6 times the thickness, fold into the centre and then fold both sides together and sew

[RockyAussie]

3 hours ago, Constabulary said:

I once got a bunch of "strap folder" for double needle machines from a closed leather business. Most are gone (sold too cheap) and I only have 2 left. Never used them but you never know. They are single folds so I do not know what kind of strap they used it for. I´m sure there are other strap folders out there that produce clean edges (triple fold?). Maybe clean edge binder attachment can do the work but of course depends on the leather you want to use.

Thanks @Constabulary. They look nice but it would seem you would end up with an exposed edge on one side of the strap with them ones, which is hard to imagine what that would be useful for. I have been working on some folding pieces that fold into the middle but I would like to see if anyone has any special tools or methods for that process already.

1 hour ago, chrisash said:

With thin leather straps i was taught to cut four times the width required plus 6 times the thickness, fold into the centre and then fold both sides together and sew

Sounds better than above except that one side would be one big fat fold and the other more of a joined look. I expect that the technique would be quite time consuming unless there are any tools that can do such a fold?

[jimi]

Hi Brian, Here is a setup which might work for the leather without the webbing??? might give you some ideas, it looks quite neat with the two folded edges together in the end??? The only other thing i can think of is the typical motor, roller on table and folder setup which i am sure you have googled a million times Lol...

 

And if you want to try your hand at a folder.....C´est si bon..Lol.

 

Edited June 15, 2021 by jimi

[RockyAussie]

WOW!!!! thanks @jimi that double needle juki set up is awesome but it would be great to see it doing some leather. Might be a little expensive though.

The second vid is also showing a master of metalcraft in action and I can not help but admire his skills. Again it would have been good to see it folding some leather.

I have been for some time printing some folders for my little folder rolling machine but I am starting to experiment with a design that does not need the rolling machine for those that want to do it by hand. (cheap, simple and efficient)

Mostly I just want to see what other type of things people use to accomplish the job.

[Rahere]

14 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

WOW!!!! thanks @jimi that double needle juki set up is awesome but it would be great to see it doing some leather. Might be a little expensive though.

The second vid is also showing a master of metalcraft in action and I can not help but admire his skills. Again it would have been good to see it folding some leather.

I have been for some time printing some folders for my little folder rolling machine but I am starting to experiment with a design that does not need the rolling machine for those that want to do it by hand. (cheap, simple and efficient)

Mostly I just want to see what other type of things people use to accomplish the job.

Seamstresses have been using bias binding for many years before sewing machines came along. They line the raw edge up with the centre of the tape, sew one side of the tape, turn it over and sew the other. Sometimes pressing so starch holds it together.

[oltoot]

And fold cased (better than dripping wet)when possible

Edited June 16, 2021 by oltoot
evolved

[RockyAussie]

9 hours ago, Rahere said:

Seamstresses have been using bias binding for many years before sewing machines came along. They line the raw edge up with the centre of the tape, sew one side of the tape, turn it over and sew the other. Sometimes pressing so starch holds it together.

Thanks for the input @Rahere. That sound like what we would called a French edge this side of the pond. Not quite what I am talking about but this Video shows a good example I think -

Unfortunately this is a bit outside of a lot of peoples price range. I would love to have one though.

These are some of the guides I have made for my little folder below (they work very well and cost very little to produce)

The guides at the back in this picture are made for my roller machine and the squarer shaped ones at the front are the new ones I am working on that don't need a roller machine.

This shows some of the strap work on the handles and as well the leather strapping used with the patchwork.

I will try and get a video done up showing them in use in the next few days.

 

 

[Rahere]

No, a French binding halves the binding material then buries the raw edges against the raw edge being covered, leaving four layers on the wrong side after it's wrapped. If you take the same centre crease in the binding, and fold the edges in to meet that, then wrap the raw edge, so you get only two layers of binding either side of the material being bound, it's thinner and neater sewing, because only one layer covers the edge.