A few times I have untwisted five ply white linen thread and pulled out a thread or two, and then twisted back together a new thinner thread with 3 or 4 strands.

Kind of a pain in the neck, but as long as I cut each piece the same length I can use the off strands from the first couple pieces to make up a third one. Uses lots of beeswax too.

All five plies is right stout, I have assembled a couple tool belts for tradesmen, it is the leather that wears out first on those.

Crutch bands too. My brother in law gets around on crutches that come halfway up his forearms, with a leather strap in a loop at the top; he is pretty well paralyzed from the waist down. I used about 14 ounce vegetable tanned leather and five ply linen thread for those, everytime I inquire about them he or my sister insist the bands are finally broken in and better than new. I made them in 1995.