I have just viewed Lesson 1 in it’s entirety and am ready to get started but have a few questions regarding the materials.
1. I prefer to work with leather and have been using Tandy Leather Contact Cement to date. Do I need to switch to Rubber Cement? I was previously told that the sewing needle passes through Contact Cement better than rubber cement, but maybe that information was wrong, please advise.
2. I could not find Oaktag Paper anywhere so I purchased a pink material from Tandy Leather that makes a good pattern, but it is too thick to utilize your methods of scoring and bending. Where can I order the proper pattern material?
3. When using leather, how much smaller should I make the lining? I’m sure it depends on the thickness of the leather being used, but I thought you might have a rule-of-thumb (i.e. for 2-3 oz leather make lining 1/4″ smaller, etc)
Thank you and I look forward to getting started!
Cheri Riva-Heffren
Welcome Cheri ! Nice to see the new students here.
It sounds as though you have some experience working with leather so if you are comfortable using it that is fine but can be costly if you make a mistake.
1. Richard recommends using the rubber cement as it is supposed to be able to re-positioned contact is for permanent placement. The contact can leave a gum residue on your needle, but I have never found it to be a major problem.
2. I’m not sure about sources for the oaktag. Here in the UK it is available from fashion school suppliers but I think Richard says it is available from art supply stores.
3. You are right it does depend on the thickness of the leather that is being used and can vary project to project but the rule of thumb is about 1/16″ smaller. I make the adjustment in the seam allowance not on the pattern.
Hope this helps and look forward to seeing your work. Richard loves questions so keep them coming.