Box stitching old leather.

[Donald Qualls]

Then they probably went out of business because people would rather do it themselves.

More likely they went out of business because the things they were experts on are no longer produced in a repairable form. Stitching like we see on 70-80 year old camera cases is no longer produces. Shoes are glued rather than stitched. Most other modern leather goods are machine sewed in a way that makes them impossible to restitch by hand.

 

[grat]

More likely they went out of business because the things they were experts on are no longer produced in a repairable form. Stitching like we see on 70-80 year old camera cases is no longer produces. Shoes are glued rather than stitched. Most other modern leather goods are machine sewed in a way that makes them impossible to restitch by hand.

Well, that's a nice rationalization, but as I say... here, we have some actual craftsmen. I'd like to support the few who remain.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Okay, then take your camera cases to the local cobbler.

 

[AgX]

Most other modern leather goods are machine sewed in a way that makes them impossible to restitch by hand.

Why not? You mean, because at flat, overlapping seams the backsidde no longer is accessable (because of a lining)? But this problem would show up too at same seam if handstiched.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I mean because they're fine stitches done with fine thread. Try to redo them by hand and you're as likely to destroy a piece as fix it.

 

[AgX]

But one either could stitch with a fine thread, or use in a prelimery step that "sword"-needle and by this enlarge the holes to pull through a thicker thread.

 

[pbromaghin]

Bookmarked.

Ditto. Great thread.

 

[AnselMortensen]

^^^ I see what you did there.

 

[awty]

Sad old Leica arrived today.
Threads come out much easier than the Rollei, just need a bit of a tug. Need to reattach the front part as well as replace the side lugs.

 

[awty]

There is really almost nothing to learn. Clean out the old thread. Line up the pieces. Then pull new thread through the old holes. It is bordering on trivial.

Yep that sound about right. Im just repairing, not restoring.
I have to replace the shutter curtains as well on the old leica, probably have to put a warning so not create too much more anxiety.

 

[Mr Flibble]

A Zeiss Super Ikonta case I recently stitched up using regular needles and threads in a double sine wave (as shown on the previous page)
No points for neatness, but it'll do the job.
Removing the old thread was a bit of a pain.

 

[AgX]

I sometimes use upholstery needles for bookbinding. there are blunt ones and pointy ones and some are curved.

The needled used for cuttlery are blunt ones. To be employed after one has stitched a hole with a "sword"-needle mounted in a grip. Of course our cuttlery work typically would be at repairs/restorations, thus no need for making holes as such.

 

[awty]

View attachment 256463

A Zeiss Super Ikonta case I recently stitched up using regular needles and threads in a double sine wave (as shown on the previous page)
No points for neatness, but it'll do the job.
Removing the old thread was a bit of a pain.

Well done.

 

[awty]

Got too types of waxed book binding, one was a little too thick, the other was a little thin, but was ok for the job. The two needles I ordered were too big, but I managed to pinch a couple of needles from the resident seamstress.
Once I worked out the process and got a rhythm happening was pretty easy. Apart from constantly having to rethread the needles and pricking myself.

Try the Rolleicord next.

 

[AgX]

Looks good!
Concerning the thread thickness, a thicker thread would have filled the holes better, but also would stand out higher on the leather surface and thus gets more easily rubbed through.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Looks like nice work! I need to get to this on my Daiichi Zenobia case.

 

[glbeas]

A bit of matching color shoe polish on those white threads will make it look a lot less of a patch job. Ive done similar repair work with a stitching awl using a locking chain stitch recommended in instructional videos. The awl handle makes the needle a lot easier to push through a tight hole.

 

[jvo]

do a search for "Speedy Stitcher" - inexpensive, you can do all kinds of stitches with multiple different threads material.

 

[awty]

do a search for "Speedy Stitcher" - inexpensive, you can do all kinds of stitches with multiple different threads material.

Not sure you can match the box stitch and the needle looks too big. Certainly too big for the Rolleicord.
Isnt hard at all to do box stitching once you get a rhythm going

 

[awty]

Looks good!
Concerning the thread thickness, a thicker thread would have filled the holes better, but also would stand out higher on the leather surface and thus gets more easily rubbed through.

Original stitching is slightly lighter and thicker.

 

[awty]

Replaced some box stitching on the Rolleicord

 

[guangong]

I bought needles, thread and other accessories from store specializing in leather crafting hobbiests in NYC about 45 years ago to make holster for snubnosed 38 special. Needle has large handle, which makes work much .easier. Don’t know if such shops still exist. Stitched my Rollie case for F2.8. Master shoemaker told me to do it myself because slow and labor intensive hand labor. Job came out very well. Have a couple Leitz and Zeiss camera cases that need attention, along with a Benser case. There is no better way to carry a couple Leicas and several lenses than in a Benser case with appropriate insert.
Thinking about making a case for my Makina 67. Camera just has too much mass to be protected by soft case. Needs some protective armor.

 

[pbromaghin]

I have a couple Zeiss folder cases that need stitching. The owner of a local leather repair shop took about 2 seconds to tell me he wouldn't do it. From this thread I see why and also can now do it myself. Thank you APUG/Photrio.

 

[AgX]

As material for the thread I would use Nylon, as the threads lie on the leather and typically at a case/bag are swinging at ones body and are thus under constant rubbing stress.

Something to consider:
Cutting a slit between holes about the depth of the thickness of the thread.
By this the thread sinks into the leather and is protected from being rubbed through again.

 

[bambiwallace]

i have used dental floss for emergency repairs and it worked fine. i still haven't replaced it.