Thread: Homemade leather bags.

All right you other leather working types out there, I know there are a few of you. I'm after tips that don't involve the comments "wear gloves", or "Harden up ya big sook" or similar. This bag of mine has a fair bit if stitch and sew on it. I'm using double needles and saddle stitch as mentioned earlier. The threaded is waxed and braided polyester 0.7mm but acts like a bloody razor blade after a while, and I'm getting small, uncomfortable nicks in places on my hands/fingers when pulling the stitch tight. I should add I'm double stitching much if not all of it for durability. Any thoughts?

I'm halfway through the worst of it, and have a few days when no further work will be able to be done, so healing time is given even if I would rather be a hermit and carry on the work...Just to see the damn thing done . I might be able to do a little more tomorrow before I have to stop, and if I can I'll post an update on the work for those who may be interested.


Mick

I use a thick leather pad or a piece of leather on wood lath. Your skin's not meant to take the needle going in backwards. Unfortunately, I have no good way to solve the sawing from the thread by pulling the lace tight.

How about turning it into a lesson, and get the kids to do it.

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

I use a thick leather pad or a piece of leather on wood lath. Your skin's not meant to take the needle going in backwards. Unfortunately, I have no good way to solve the sawing from the thread by pulling the lace tight.

Thanks Mike. I already make use of finger stalls when I'm making whips and skiving the edges with a razor sharp knife, but they won't serve me well in this instance. It might just be a put up and shut up sort of thing. Gloves won't be any good due to the need for finger dexterity/sensitivity with the needles.


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

...Gloves won't be any good due to the need for finger dexterity/sensitivity with the needles. Mick

I tried that already. If thread can cut skin, gloves won't last much longer.

I've never really had much trouble with cuts when hand stitching but I use waxed linen thread so maybe that's the difference. have you tried wrapping pieces of tape (such as duct tape or cloth first aid tape) around your fingers? that should allow some sensitivity and movement, plus it's easily replaceable.

Originally Posted by tintin

I've never really had much trouble with cuts when hand stitching but I use waxed linen thread so maybe that's the difference. have you tried wrapping pieces of tape (such as duct tape or cloth first aid tape) around your fingers? that should allow some sensitivity and movement, plus it's easily replaceable.

I'll try it mate, but where it bites first and fastest, is in the natural grooves of the joints. I might be able to make it work though, so thanks for the tip. I've never had issues when using the waxed linen either. But I could get this braided waxed thread on bigger spools at the time, so I bought them. I use it mostly in the whip making process. It doesn't really contact my hands in the same way as sewing with it does.


Mick

I'll have to take some pics to explain it better...

I took a JB stick and made a pancake about 2" in diameter and then rolled it around the inside of my bent little finger, and then shaped the inside and polished so it's round and smooth. Put notches in each end for rubber bands.
I made one for each hand.

When I sew, I put those on my little fingers and run the thread over them when I pull it tight.

Hey Mick,
at Bunnings, for about $1.57, you can get vinyl tubing - hose connectors i think they are. In the garden aisle near other hoses and such. Slip one over each joint that you use when pulling thread tight and it should help. It is tough stuff. i heated some in boiling water and stretched it over the gear shift on my bike - stops me getting those black marks from the corrugated black rubber on my boots.

A nice thick leather glove ( I like em fit tight) and cut all the fingers/thumb off except the pinky. The thread won't cut through that fast and it helps a lot. I have neoprene fishing gloves for winter like that. I can still tie on a rig and my hands stay warm.

And I realized my 30 year old little bag ( my one and only) was on the dash board of my truck today. It isn't much but if it could talk........
Not as complicated as yours at all but it served it's purpose.