Anyone here into Leather?

I know there are a lot of crafty types here and I thought maybe someone could point me in the right direction.

I badly need to install a leather 'strap' like the one pictured here (random image) on my instrument:

 

I have one on a beater horn and it's proven to be a wonder-cure for some pretty bad wrist tendonitis that started when I began practicing regularly again.

 

Unfortunately the tubing on my "good" horn does not allow the part that wraps around the large tubing to fit (will try to find an image to illustrate).  So it seems my options are to buy another strap and try to cut it and restitch it, or to start from scratch.

 

So my questions:
-would I find this sort of really thick leather in a normal everyday fabric store?

-would any "laypeople" be likely to have a sewing machine that would actually get the sticthes through?

-anyone think this might be easy work for them and want to earn some $$?

Thx...

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 15, 2013 at 7:59am

Maybe willow can help.  I know my machine could not handle it.  If you can't find someone in the community I suggest a shoe repair shop.  Cool horn, by the way.

Permalink Reply by Apie (11) on January 15, 2013 at 7:59am

Horween Leather Co is on 2015 N Elston, I would give them a call or stop by.  They have the nice leather that I think you may be looking for.  I'm not sure if they do one offs, or you may be able to find a proper size out of their scraps...The products they sell are top notch.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 15, 2013 at 8:08am

Even a lightweight leather can be challenging to stitch with an average sewing machine.  An industrial sewing machine is much more suitable to the task.  I think Lisa's got the right idea with the shoe repair shop suggestion.  Another alternative would be a dry cleaning/alteration shop that says they can handle leather jackets.

Permalink Reply by Juan Primo on January 15, 2013 at 9:25am

Your project looks pretty simple that I'd bet you can handle it on your own.  Horween is indeed the place to go.  If you can draw the pattern onto the leather, you can cut out the shape with a very sharp knife.  Don't bother with sewing machines because they cannot handle leather.

 

You probably don't need a ton of stitches, so with your same leather-cutting knife, make little slits (not holes) where you want the stitches to go through.  Get a really big needle and very heavy thread and make your stitches. 

 

Try it - this is a cheap experiment.  If you fail you can bail out and have a shoe repair do it for you but I think this is diy.

Permalink Reply by william on January 15, 2013 at 1:42pm
Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 15, 2013 at 1:44pm

By the way, how well does the cat play?

Permalink Reply by Holly on January 15, 2013 at 1:47pm

There's also Leo's Custom Leather which does really good repairs. I had something fixed there many years ago and was really happy with their service. 

Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on January 15, 2013 at 2:30pm

had to put a link to SNL's the leather man .....

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on January 15, 2013 at 3:06pm

Can't help you but does your cat play?

Permalink Reply by Sol on January 15, 2013 at 6:20pm

Howard, If you don't find any other help, the guys at the leather shop next to Jackhammer (on Clark just North of Devon) could probably custom make the piece you want fairly easily.

Permalink Reply by Juan Primo on January 16, 2013 at 1:58am

I'm proud of the Chicago cycling community for NOT suggesting bar tape!

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 19, 2013 at 3:39pm

Made me think about my late grandfather who had a shoe repair business and had all of those old machines!

And you have yet to tell us how well the cat plays.

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