Zips and leathers - stitching?

evening all,

So I'm looking to get the other bit of my inner jacket zip stitched to my kevlar jeans, after some road rash from my last spill where the jacket was dragged up. Now I can't stitch for squat, I think my gf can.

I wouldn't mind letting my gf do it, but I would like it to be stitched on very well (double/triple stitching). Can I just go over to any stitching specialist shop and just ask them to triple stitch it on or something?

Has anyone taken this sort of thing to be done by pro's?

cheers

Anything's better than b****all but I think your best bet is someone who deals in leather, preferably bike leathers. Wrong stitching could weaken the fabric and tear very easily. Also, it would be a bit tricky not to have an ugly line of stitches on the outside, if this bothers you, again, specialists can help!

I think, but am not sure (don't forget it's your ar*e not mine!!!) that longer stitches in a heavy thread are the best bet, if you're doing it yourself. Each hole weakens the fabric.

I see. Although the only stitching will be on my kevlar jeans I guess. It makes more sense to stitch it directly to the kevlar than the denim as it would be less likely to rip away if I slide on the road, or will it probably not matter?

You need to find out how stitching affects Kevlar. IIRC, it is for abrasion resistance, and is where you are likely to slide along the road. The stitches may not survive! The belt bit on jeans is double - layered, and in the right place. I would go with that. Is there a zip in the jacket already?

Ah ok. Yeh there is already a zip on the jacket. It's just a case of unzipping the other piece that comes with it and stitching it onto the jeans. The belt bit sounds like the best bet if that's the case.

No worries then! All you have to do now is worry whether the zip is all show no blow, but in fairness it will be good most likely anyway. Zip to jeans, you (or GF) can do yourselves easily enough. There may be forums for sewing etc that can help you, and will be glad to!

I've stitched the other side of my leathers zip to my dragon jeans, did it on the belt loop section (made these useless) then just went over it twice, I did rip it when I bent down to pick up my gloves of the floor (when zipped in) but not when I came off?! I hand stitched mine, would be better with a machine, however just keep the stitches smaller and often as that way it is stronger.

Originally Posted by lily

I've stitched the other side of my leathers zip to my dragon jeans, did it on the belt loop section (made these useless) then just went over it twice, I did rip it when I bent down to pick up my gloves of the floor (when zipped in) but not when I came off?! I hand stitched mine, would be better with a machine, however just keep the stitches smaller and often as that way it is stronger.

That is a good point - make sure you have room for movement! The zips in jackets are often up a little way so you have a bit of freedom.

thanks guys. Some useful pointers.

[yorkie_chris]

If worried about the stiching being abraded if you stitch it behind the belt area then wear a belt, thick leather, stitches won't ever see the tarmac.