Question/questions for the leather workers amongst us

[Man of Tanith]

1 is it easier to mark stitching holes when the leather is wet?
2would actually sewing the leather when still slightly moist be easier?
thanks i'm working on a couple of projects on works time as i am on nights

 

[mountainm]

For what its worth - I find it best to mark when wet. However marks made when dry are less permanent.

I makes holes and stitch when the leather is dry so to not stretch or deform the leather.

 

[John Fenna]

Yes
No
Luck fellow

 

[Dreadhead]

hmm i use a stitching pring so just hammer it through when the leather is dry. doesnt make much difference to me

 

[HillBill]

Yes its easier to mark the holes when wet, but i wouldnt as the leather is too soft and will easily squash, stretch, scratch. Then when its dry it will shrink a bit.

Sew when dry for the reasons above.

In general, leather is only wetted for a couple of reasons, stamping/carving, wet moulding, stretch fitting.

 

[Man of Tanith]

thanks for the input folks
i have soaked it and am now waiting for it to dry enough to be safe to stamp a couple of designs on

 

[Angst]

hi...just thought i'd point out....you dont need to (and shouldnt really) soak the leather just to stamp.....just get a sponge....i use a washing up sponge thingy....wet it....squeeze a little out....then 'case' (dampen) the entire surface of the leather.....then dampen more the area to be stamped. youll see the water sitting on the leather then soaking in....you dont need to saturate it though. then simply emboss.

and stitch when dry. you can stitch-mark at any time usually.

regards

a

 

[Wayland]

I don't mark for stitching at all, just do it by eye.

 

[Aragorn]

Do you need to treat the rough (flesh ?) Side of leather, I was thinking of using bees wax to finish the smooth side but don't know what to do on the other

 

[Man of Tanith]

hi...just thought i'd point out....you dont need to (and shouldnt really) soak the leather just to stamp.....just get a sponge....i use a washing up sponge thingy....wet it....squeeze a little out....then 'case' (dampen) the entire surface of the leather.....then dampen more the area to be stamped. youll see the water sitting on the leather then soaking in....you dont need to saturate it though. then simply emboss.

and stitch when dry. you can stitch-mark at any time usually.

regards

a

i found out about not soaking for stamping about half an hour after i posted i had it in soak so quickly whipped it out left it to dry and then hid the stamped and clamped bits of leather in my work locker
today i find out how they worked

 

[The mad welshman]

Thanx all you leatherman for sharing the info...its all a learning curve

 

[spandit]

Do you need to treat the rough (flesh ?) Side of leather, I was thinking of using bees wax to finish the smooth side but don't know what to do on the other

I don't, personally. The rough side is normally hidden inside sheaths etc. so not really an issue. You might be able to rub some wax into it, try a scrap bit and see...

 

[Dave]

Do you need to treat the rough (flesh ?) Side of leather, I was thinking of using bees wax to finish the smooth side but don't know what to do on the other

Your local equestrian centre will sell neatsfoot compound.