Looking to replace straps?

[nab2488]

I have a sport kilt works kilt with strap enclosures. I love the kilt for every thing except the straps. The straps that are on there are leather but very thin and kinda short. When I wear the kilt the straps just kinda hang lazily and don't look crisp. I would like to by new leather to replace them so they would look better and function better but I don't know where I can get the leather part of the straps. I would prefer to go to a store as opposed to ordering them online. Because I want to make sure I buy the right leather for what I need, but anything is an option.

The other part is I don't know how to attach the straps to the front of the apron. How is it normally done and how can I do it? Are there any special tools I would need? Is it something someone that is a complete novice at sewing or anything like it can do?

[Kiltman]

I suggest going to a Tandy store in your area. They normally have a scrap box full of leather and you can pick out what you want. It's not hard to make it into a leather strap for your kilt. I also suggest getting Barb's book to learn how to attach the new belts. If you don't intend to make kilts then just pay attention to the way they are put on and get a local seamstress or shoe repair guy to help you.

[nab2488]

Thanks however I don't know what you mean by a tandy store? I do plan in getting barb's book someday but right now I was hoping someone could tell me how.

[puckhead9]

Tandy is a store that used to be part and parcel of Radio Shack. I am originally from Western NY and I got all my leather crafting supplies from there. However - They went belly up in that area many years ago and I do not think they are very widespread. Here is a link to Wikipedia on Tandy if that helps any.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tandy_Corporation

Good luck in your leather crafting hunt.

[thescot]

Hey, Nab. Go here: http://www.tartantown.com/product467.html

NOt hte only place but you can find others.

[The Wizard of BC]

Many of us in the business use straps from Highland Xpress.

http://www.highlandxpress.com/patterns.html#bs

If they are good enough for professionals then they should be OK.

To attach straps to your Kilt I would first suggest looking at how the existing straps are attached.
Pay attention to how many layers of fabric the stitches go through.

If your current straps are machine sewn then do so again. All you will need is a sewing machine and some matching thread.

If your current straps are hand sewn then you will need some heavy duty thread and a large hand sewing needle.

I would suggest Black Upholstery thread which you should be able to find at your local fabric or sewing store. The needle you will probably need is about 2 inches long, will have a hole for the thread big enough for the thread to go through.
The reason for the large needle is two fold. First you are probably not an experienced hand sewer and larger needles are easier for a first timer to use. Second you will be sewing from one side only. Your stitches should not go all the way through to the front of the Kilt. So you will be bending the strap as you sew to get a straight needle down, into one hole and out another. The larger the needle the stronger it should be and less prone to breaking which can be dangerous to your fingers as well as expensive.

If your hand stitching you will probably need to punch some holes in the strap for the needle and thread to go through. I use a leather punch here in the shop. It looks like a pair of pliers with a rotating head for different size holes, but a nail will work without the expense.

here you can see the straps hand sewn on.

Please note the pre-sewing holes for the thread. and also the 6 strands of thread through each hole to make it strong.



Please also note that the two straps on the outer apron are sewn to the inside of the Kilt apron. The single strap on the under apron is sewn to the outer surface of the fabric. This allows you to sew the straps in the proper location.

Now, we get to the buckles. If your new straps are longer than the originals you may find you will need to adjust the position of the buckles.

Here is a shot of the left hand buckle. Note that due to the hole in the Kilt for the strap to go through you cannot move this buckle. So you adjust the position of the strap on the apron instead. (see above)



Here are the buckles on the Right side of the Kilt. Note that the buckle tabs are machine sewn. You will probably not have any excess fabric to make new buckle tabs so don't worry about trying to keep the Tartan pattern aligned.



I hope this helps and is the answer that you were looking for.

[nab2488]

Why yes thank you everybody. All of the responses were a great help it answered my question exactly. Except if I didn't want to order it online should i just go to radio shack? lol I was wondering if a place like joann fabrics of hobby lobby would have it?

[Mike S]

Why yes thank you everybody. All of the responses were a great help it answered my question exactly. Except if I didn't want to order it online should i just go to radio shack? lol I was wondering if a place like joann fabrics of hobby lobby would have it?

Radio Shack retail outlets do not, and never have, stocked leather. Tandy simply used to be owned by that corporation. There are still Tandy Leather retail stores scattered about the country, as well as a lot of other online sources.

Here is the Tandy website link:
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/c...secountry.aspx

Sometimes Hobby Lobby stocks a VERY limited supply of Tandy and Leather Factory tools and such, but precious little leather. I've seen some grab bags of leather scraps sold at Hobby Lobby, but they may or may not have suitable lengths and weight of dyed or unfinished veg. tanned or latigo leather in them. Most seem to have 1oz to 3oz suede and faux lizard/alligator embossed fashion remnants in bright colors.

Some locations DO have tooling veg. tanned pieces large enough, and thick enough weight, to cut and dye yourself into suitable straps.

[The Wizard of BC]

Please believe me nab when I say you will be far off better just ordering a set of straps & buckles from Highland Xpress.

Kilt straps are not just a random chunk of leather cut to shape. If you do not cut exactly along the grain they will stretch. If not properly tanned and dyed the straps will wear out in no time at all. The edges will fray, the dye will wear off.

You will be money ahead and frustration avoided by simply ordering the same high quality straps and buckles many kiltmakers do.

[Mike S]

Since he seems to lack leather working skills (not in any way a criticism) I would agree with Steve.