How to Repair the Lining of a Leather Cap

If you have a favorite piece of leather clothing, from a jacket to a hat, you know how hard it is to find a new one that is just as good. That's why most people opt to repair their leather goods when something goes wrong instead of just replacing them. While taking your leather item to a shop to be repaired is always an option, if you have a little bit of sewing and technical know-how, you can easily repair the lining of a leather cap, or any other item, at home.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Replacement lining fabric
• Measuring tape
• Fabric chalk
• Scissors
• Silk upholstery thread
• Upholstery needles
• Pins

1. Examine your leather cap to see the extent of the damage. Depending on the amount of wear or tear on the lining of your cap, you may not need to purchase replacement lining fabric. However, if you have anything more than a 1/2-inch or so tear in your lining, you may be better off replacing it.

2. Snip the lining carefully from the leather. Do this along seams and be sure not to damage the leather itself. Measure the lining and purchase a new piece of silk or satin lining that is slightly larger than you will need, as you will be trimming it to shape and working with stitches.

3. Trace the shape of the leather cap lining onto your new fabric and cut out the shape with sharp scissors. Leave a slight amount of extra edge to account for sewing in the lining. Double over the fabric along this extra edge so no fraying will occur.

4. Use your pins to position your lining inside of the cap. If there needs to be puckers or gathers in order to fit the lining to the shape of the cap, pin those in as well. Make sure that you do not pierce all the way through the leather with these pins.

5. Sew in the lining using heavy duty silk upholstery thread and a hand needle. The construction of the hat will most likely make it impossible to use a sewing machine. With small stitches, attach the fabric to the leather and sew in any tucks that are needed to make the lining sit flat against the inside of the cap.

6. Try on the hat to check for comfort. If there are lumps and bumps in your seams and crown, it may be uncomfortable. So, try to pull the lining as taut as possible and work carefully.

Tips & Warnings

• Leather work is difficult, and if you are the owner of a valuable cap, you may want to get some advice from a professional leather worker before attempting to repair your own item.
• Using the wrong materials and needles on leather goods can irreparably damage them, so be careful when choosing supplies.