How to Put Leather Piping Around Leather Handles

Leather piping is a thin piece of leather wrapped around a narrow piece of cording. Adding leather piping to the center of a leather handle gives the handle a finished appearance, and helps strengthen the handle. Sewing leather piping in place is not difficult, but does require a few special leatherworking tools, such as a leather needle, welting foot attachment for a sewing machine, and waxed thread. With these tools, it takes just a few minutes to add leather piping to any item.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Leather piping cord
• Sewing machine with welting foot
• Leather needle
• Waxed thread

Instructions

1. Cut a length of leather piping the same length as the outer edge of the handles.

2. Place the flat edge of the piping between the two sections of the leather handle. Make several triangle-shaped notches in the flat edge of the piping piece so the curved edge of the piping rests flat on the handle without straining the leather.

3. Attach the welting foot and leather needle to the sewing machine. Fit the sewing machine with waxed thread.

4. Place the end of the handle under the welting foot. Slowly sew a 1/8-inch seam just below the edge of the handle, under the piping. Sew back and forth across the start and end of the seam to secure the thread and strengthen the seam.

5. Sew the other sides of the handle together as normal.

References

• "Making Leather Handbags and Other Stylish Accessories"; Ellen Goldstein-Lynch, Sarah Mullins and Nicole Malone; 2004
• Wind Stream: Making a Custom Made Leather Handbag