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KINGSMERE CRAFTS
HAND-CRAFTED LEATHER GOODS
Binding edges
Hand-crafted, and decorative leatherwork. How is it done? - continued
On hide above a certain thickness this is unnecessary, unless intended only for decorative purposes. On thin hide though it serves to strengthen the edges, as well as improving, the finish.
Binding should be done using thin, stretchy, leather strips, the width depending on the thickness of the edge to be covered, but usually allowing at least ¹/4" to overlap on each side (plus the thickness) as a rough guide. And, if necessary, using the same leather as the article is made from, skived to achieve the necessary thinness, and dyed to match its colour. The dyeing is best done before skiving and cutting the strips to size, to allow for any shrinkage that may occur due to the thinness of the leather. Also, dyeing very thin leather can be a bit tricky. The fact of its thinness alone means it absorbs the dye instantly, and your control over the process is minimal, consequently a lot of hard work can be wasted.
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Single binding - pierce stitch holes through all thicknesses after glueing, ensuring the awl is kept vertical |
For separate edge binding, pierce stitch holes in each piece, ensuring you keep them in alignment |
It is essentially to protect the edge, as well as to conceal its rawness, though it can be decorative at the same time. Sometimes, where the thickness is rather bulky, such as a bag gusset joining to the front, it is better to bind each edge individually before stitching them together. In such an instance (covering the edges with one length of binding) it is preferable to glue the edges (you intend to bind) together, before applying the binding. Then, too, you may also find that applying the adhesive to the front and back of the edges, then stretching and smoothing the binding over it, is preferable to trying to apply a sticky strip of leather which seems more intent on twisting about and adhering to itself, than going around the edge where you want it.
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