Been lurking for a while, but I couldn't resist posting...

1207 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by vboy, Dec 10, 2014

catgois

Discussion Starter · Dec 9, 2014

First is a friend's Christmas present that just arrived. A clean, elegant, and inexpensive Seiko quartz. She's been looking for something similar for a while. I may or may not have had something to do with her new interest in watches.

Secondly, I wanted to share my first finished attempt at making a leather strap! I feel like 19mm straps (that I like) are hard to come by, so I thought I'd just make one. Thrifted a $2 leather belt and got some needles, thread, and scalpels from work and VOILA!!! Could use sanding to smooth out the edges, but overall, I'm pretty darn happy! =)

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andrema

· #2 · Dec 9, 2014

Welcome.

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killsnapz

· #3 · Dec 9, 2014

Nice band I prefer bracelets but I do like the leather bands with the folding clasp design like you have made. How do you sew the leather? By hand or my machine?

Michael

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catgois

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 9, 2014

Hey! Thanks for the reply. I did it by hand actually. This was a pretty low budget production haha.

killsnapz said:
Nice band I prefer bracelets but I do like the leather bands with the folding clasp design like you have made. How do you sew the leather? By hand or my machine?

Michael

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killsnapz

· #5 · Dec 9, 2014

The main reason I asked is I also have some WWII reproduction jackets and items and I like to sew period correct patches on through heavy material but I have one major problem. My huge hands and fingers. I can not find a thimble that even comes close to fitting on my index finger. The biggest I have found barely fits on my pinky making sewing like you have done on your watch band a real pain literally! What did you use to push the needle through the leather and not your finger tip!

Michael

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catgois

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 10, 2014

I actually poked holes through the leather first with a 19G needle. I used it like a drill so that thre would be holes already where I was planning to stitch. That way I didn't have to force the sewing needle through such tough material/didn't need a thimble. Might be hard to get away with that if you're sewing complex patches onto a jacket though. =/ Best of luck, Michael! -Cat

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rileynp

· #7 · Dec 10, 2014

I commend you on your "one size fits me" design with the leather strap- that's really cool! I don't know what exactly that strapmakers use to finish the edges of their straps, but maybe try some mink oil, or beeswax, to take down the edge's contrast a little, if you wanted to. Test on scrap first so I don't get blamed for ruining a perfectly good strap

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vboy

· #8 · Dec 10, 2014

If she is interested in you, you may not be able to buy anymore watches!!!!!

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