Restoring an Old Director's Chair // Leather Working | I Like To Make Stuff
Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль
My wife found an old director's chair in the garbage, so I decided to restore it using leather! Thank you to Weaver Leather for providing the materials and tools for my first leather project. If you want to get started in leather working, check out www.weaverleathersupply.com/i...
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If you've seen the bathroom remodel, you may have noticed that my wife prefers to refinish older items instead of throwing them out. She came upon an old, folding director's chair on the side of the road one day. It was missing the seat and the back, typically made of canvas. She brought it home and wanted me to refinish it and make it new again. The director's chair has been sitting in the basement for a while now, waiting for the right project. I think it is time to try my hand at leather working and add some new new life to this old chair.
If you're not familiar with director's chairs, they are basically wooden framed folding chairs with flexible seat and back panels. The seat hangs in between two horizontal supports on either side of your hips when seated. The seat material slides inside two channels in the wooden frame and is held in place by friction when you sit. Like I mentioned earlier, these panels are typically canvas so they can fold with the chair when stored, but I'm making these new panels out of leather.
Because of the thickness of the leather, I had to thin out the hide before I folded it over onto itself to wedge into that channel. I accomplished this using a skife knife, which acts like a scraper and removes layers of suede, making the leather thinner. Barge cement works really well at adhering leather together, so I used it to glue down the folded over ends. I measured the seat and added a little slack to make the seat more comfortable. I may, in time have to go back and shorten the seat if it starts to stretch and sag.
Now that the seat is fitted into place, I can focus on the back panel. This piece slides down over two uprights that hold either end of the panel vertically. To do this, I want to there to be a single piece of leather that will touch your back when seated and wrap around each upright. This will look nice from the front of the chair, but the back of the chair would reveal the textured suede side. I'm not really a fan of this rustic look, so I plan on covering the exposed suede with another, smaller leather panel.
To properly wrap the leather around the wooden uprights, I soaked the hide in water and used some wooden strips and clamps to form the material around the wooden posts. Once dried, the leather will maintain that shape and I can glue the pieces together. Again, using barge cement, I coated the edges of the wrapped sections and the contact points on the panel so that the loops can be adhered. I also used barge to cover the exposed suede area and the corresponding covering panel and locked them together. With both panels completed it is time to stain them a darker color using some walnut colored dye.
Dyeing the leather is a personal preference. Just like staining wood, it is adding a super concentrated pigment to the leather that changes the color. There are a variety of colors available on Weaver Leather's website, and I chose a walnut brown. Just like most wood stains, the richness in color depends on how much you apply and how long you allow the dye to saturate the hide. I dyed the two panels at the same time to keep the coloration consistent and used two coats of the dye to ensure the dark, rich color that I had envisioned.
Once the panels dried, I could focus on adding stitching. The glue should be sufficient to hold the pieces, but to ensure they durability over time and to add a decorative element, I wanted to add a simple stitch to the back panel. You can stitch leather together in a few ways; using a special chisel set that punches evenly spaced holes through the tough leather and hand sewing, or you can use a manual crank sewing machine specifically made to sew through leather. Weaver sent me a pre-release model sewing machine that can punch through four layers of hide!
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Restoring an Old Director's Chair // Leather Working | I Like To Make Stuff
• Restoring an Old Direc...
Пікірлер: 391
"I'm just going to have to live with it" "So I went ahead and made a whole new one" As expected
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Some times you just have to start over.
@aengusandrew1232
4 жыл бұрын
100% I saw him say I'm just going to live with it and I was like, no you won't Bob, you know you're gonna redo it you're a maker like that
@BEdmonson85
4 жыл бұрын
@@Iliketomakestuff Next time you make an overlapping joint, like on the chair back; use that skiving knife to thin the piece on the underside. That way you won't have a bulge line down the piece after you glue it together. The chair looks great though. Nice job on your first leather working project.
Let me offer a few tips from someone who has the privelige of working with a professional leather smith. When it comes to all of the liquids, less is more. dab your daubers off on a dry surface to shed the excess fluid. This will prevent the gum tragancanth from working further into the edge than you want same goes for the dye. Alot of pros dilute the dye so they can gradually apply it as well. When it comes to casing, for a cleaner tighter casing you want to let the leather actually dry out a little bit before it becomes perfectly moldable. The usual method is cool to touch, just a shade or so darker than dry and feels like damp clay. The sewing machine should walk backwards a few steps to finish out your lock stitch. Protip any bits of normal steel will stain your leather darker, so any sort of iron dust will discolor it.
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much, this was incredibly helpful!
@stephenfishman4964
4 жыл бұрын
@@Iliketomakestuff Another option is exactly the opposite. Instead of using a dauber or foam brush, use a larger quantity of dye in a shallow tray. Soak the leather in the liquid and hang it by the corner to drip over the tray until it dries. The result is a darker stain/color that saturates the leather. I used to make tooled leather armor for re-enactments; surface cuts barely show because the leather is pretty much the same all the way through.
@seanhollowood1151
4 жыл бұрын
@@Iliketomakestuff not at all, like i said i am lucky and privileged enough to have access to a pro, so ive stumbled on these blocks once or twice myself. I did forget one tip though, when burnishing the leather, lay it down on clean hard surface (marble sink cut outs are often recommended as a beginners tooling block) use the burnisher in one hand and hold the leather flat with the other. A little bit of pressure and time will end up with beautiful polished ends. Also if you continue doing the leather work a head knife is well reccomended and take it from someone who did it himself, buy the good tools the first time through. You work will come out way ahead in the same amount of time. As opposed to buying the cheap tools.
@TwiztedMemoriez
4 жыл бұрын
Another handy tip. If you end up with dents or markings like your clamps did, lay some wet paper towel over the damage and use a clothing iron to steam it. Makes the fibres in the leather go back to normal
Thank you for leaving the mistake in! Stuff like that is a good reminder to everyone that's learning something new that you're bound to make a few mistakes -- despite the inconvenience of them, they really do help guide you toward improving your method.
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Exactly. You rarely get things perfect on the first go. Don't be afraid to set it aside and try again.
12:40 - That was a really good idea using the spacers to make sure the two sides didn't stick together before you were ready. That's why I like this channel; I always learn something useful. :)
As soon as I saw Bob's disappointed face when he messed up the stitching, I knew he was going to remake it!
@N_E_Z_R_A
4 жыл бұрын
same bob mind just like me
Your commitment to excellence and your ability to adapt to set backs are things I’ve always liked about your videos.
Love the yellow door. +1 for rescuing stuff from the trash!
I love that you also show your attempts that didn't work out as expected, including tips on how to do it the right way.
Watched this video, bring back so many memories when assisting my late father doing leatherworks. Miss you pop! R.I.P
Awesome stuff. I winced in pain when the stitch turned out bad. Good job redoing it! :-)
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
I'm so glad that I did!
@musicadict007
3 жыл бұрын
I Like To Make Stuff that you can use
Very very cool. Always wanted to try leather working.
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Dude, give it a try. It's a whole new ability unlocked.
Love the video. Funny story, was watching after dinner at the kitchen table when the 13 yr old daughter said, " hey, is that Bob the Builder? What's he making?". Got another DIY-er in the family I guess.
Next challenge: Replicating the entire chair from scratch so that you have a matching pair.
@JBantha
4 жыл бұрын
Also cause I really want to learn how to make one
@DawnMontgomeryAuthor
4 жыл бұрын
@@JBantha Same!
My great grandfather had a leather sewing machine. It was an industrial one, weighed about 300 pounds, had a foot treadle. He used it to make a full set of pulling tack for his pair of Missouri Mules, and to add specialized bits to his saddles. Leather working and sewing has always been something that fascinated me, because some of the terminology is borrowed from normal sewing, and some is borrowed from carving.
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
It is an interesting intersection of a few different skills.
You guys rock! It would have been easy to edit out the failed the stitch job and just cut to the second attempt, but instead you walked us through your failure and showed how you fixed it. I really appreciate that. Keep up the good stuff!
Also found a chair by the junk, and took it to fix. Cedar chair with broken slats, so removed them all, and replaced them with rope, and wove a thinner rope through to finish it off. Works well as my camping chair now, and still folds up as well.
I've been dabbling with leathercraft for about a year now and I'm really impressed with your first try! Looks great!
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
So happy you remade that piece. I find its always worth making things just so and fully enjoying it rather than living with decent
Ridiculously well done...!
Super happy that you made a new one! It looks better in every aspect. This really makes me think about trying out working with leather, looks really cool!
Another great video Bob! It reminds me of my dad making leather projects when I was young. I would watch him for hours making patterns and always asking questions which he would answer. He even showed me how to use the stitching chisels and how to stitch.
I love it when you explore new skills and techniques; it makes for great videos.
Appreciate the venture into something you weren't so familiar with. Turned out great! Love the videos!
I was like "aww, I'm proud of you Bob!" When you went back and remade it. We've all been there when something didn't turn out great and going back to redo it is hard. Thanks as well for SHOWING your mistakes and not editing them out.
Thanks for sharing. greetings from Turkey🤝👋
Great job with the leather. I tell you as a shoemaker. And you won’t believe, I found the SAME stools in the trash. So I couldn’t believe your video. They’re waiting for me until I have time. I was thinking to going with fabric, but now you inspired me to go with leather also.
Fun project. I literally did the same thing a few years back with a frame destined for the trash. Nice work!
You need to put a rod inside the fold, so it wil not get out!
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
The friction and the arm on top really holds the leather in there, but thanks for the suggestion.
@chinyong1
4 жыл бұрын
@@IliketomakestuffI'm thinking the same as well, the leather probably get thinner over time. Plus the arm on top only clamp the leather well if the person lean on it.
@WtfHippoGaming
4 жыл бұрын
Klausbärbel Fömm theyre just suggesting options
@NochSoEinKaddiFan
4 жыл бұрын
@Klausbärbel Fömm The perfectly succeeded part will show itself over time. Looking at the frame it certainly was intended to either be rolled as mentioned in the beginning of the video or have some kind of body in the center to fill the slot completely. If it works with just the fold like that, cool. We will see. Bieggie Thic is not telling you what to do but trying to give new context to the situation.
@NochSoEinKaddiFan
4 жыл бұрын
@Klausbärbel Fömm I am stating facts and voicing suggestions, at no point am I ordering anything or tell you what you should or shouldn't to. Conversations are much more enjoyable if people listen closely to what the other is saying instead of responding to what they think the other one must have meant. I am under the impression you are doing the latter or are putting quite some efford into being a newsance for no reason.
Beautiful yellow door !!!
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
You should use that chair as a template and do a show(s) on building director chairs. It would be great.
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Interesting idea!
I've been making stuff out of leather for some years now and I can say that for a first, you did super well! The only thing I've got to say to everyone that want to work with leather: get some diamond pricking irons. Not a straight line one like in the video. And use saddle stitching, you will get a better stitch than with a machine: it will last longer and look better (once you've got a lot of practice haha)
@SlickPickle88
4 жыл бұрын
Saddle stitch is a quality suggestion
Great video, nice in depth and still accessible. Keep them coming!
I appreciate that you shot the final product in front of the yellow door so the white of the chair doesn't disappear into the white of the wall!
Great job on the lather work Bob! Thanks for sharing the video with us.👌👍😎JP
Lynn at Darbin Orvar does a lot of leather work and she has a few videos of cool leather projects, definitely worth checking out.
Love the video! Keep the leather projects coming - I'm trying to dabble in it myself a bit too. Maybe you could do a journal/notebook cover next?!
Great Build and holy yellow door
Great job and the 2nd attempt on the backing was totally worth it. New challenge: I'd love to see you do something with weaving.
Glad you redid the back. It looks great - the "old" look and feel of the waxing, and the contrasting color of the (super straight) stitching. Well done!
Awesome solutions you had
I'm so glad you remade the back. That looks incredible!
Really amazing job. Great work
I am soooooooo glad that there will be leather content.
For somthing that was chucked out, its an amazing usefull piece of restoration..would make an excellent fishing chair as it fold down ,easy to carry...
Trash to treasure!!!! I love it!
Nice work and cool idea. My dad had a few of those when I was growing up. My Mother sewed new pieces for them from canvas. My dad sanded and retained them. They were on a our back patio. A cool idea would be to emboss your logo on the middle of the back. I have a friend that works at a motorcycle shop. He does leather work. Makes super cool belts, holsters, horse tack, bags, and earrings. He sells them as is side work to support his other expensive hobbies. He has been doing it for many years.
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
We talked about all of the possibilities that we could add to this project, but I wanted to keep this first one simple. We will totally be doing stuff like that in the future. Thanks!
Very good job Bob! I was thinking about doing some leather work and it is encouraging to see that even you mess up sometimes. It shows how genuine you are and how you don't hold yourself at a higher standard than everybody else. Good Job!
That's a good looking chair, Bob.
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Can't wait to see more leather work from you!
Awesome! I'm working on my first leather project. I'm leather wrapping some stirrups. I eventually want to get to the point of disassembling old rough saddles, and refinishing them for a profit.
Great work!! And thank you for keeping the mallet 👍🏻👍🏻
Punching a series of slotted holes and hand stitching almost always results in very straight lines. Use punch tines with four slots (or even a single) to go around curves. You also might mention that the thread is actually waxed thread that carries its own lubrication. It slides easily through the leather, almost regardless of thickness. I've never owned a leather sewing machine. Great staring project. I was VERY glad to see you remade the seat back.
Leather is an amazing material. Just like Wood. Just a joy to work with 👌
i like that you included your 'mistake'. great project.
awesome tutorial! you made it look easy enough that i may change the ripped leather on my chrome framed chairs!
Using the spacers in the glue up process for the back panel was super smart....
Gorgeous! Love the "I just remade the whole thing" I think everyone has been there before.
Wow! That turned out a amazing, Bob! Great job, as always.
Great thing to do. 👌👌👌👍👍
Looks good!
When I first learned to sew with a machine, we had to practice following guidelines (a line, a circle, and a star) and had to focus on not pushing or pulling on the paper templates while we were "sewing" them. It was super hard and the paper showed all our mistakes. I definitely feel you on how hard it is to let the machine go while also guiding it.
Not only can you sand leather, you can cut it with your bandsaw too. Its rarely useful, but its occasionally useful for trimming a thick wet-formed piece for stitching.
That's so awesome! Great way to greatly improve a fun find
I wish leather working wasn't such an expensive hobby. It looks like amazing amounts of fun!
Beautiful job on the chair.
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
Nice work! I love this chair!
Man, this looks like so much fun. And the sewing machine! ♥.♥
Beautiful job, Bob! Really nice! 😃
Congratulations, you just made your first sewing pattern! 👍
+1 for fixing your errors!
Really amazing work. I am always so impressed with your determination and interest in learning new skills and techniques. I think it really shows others interested in making that you can do anything with a bit of time, patience and passion for increased knowledge
Phenomenal!!!
Nicely done! You did an awesome job with that leather and changing the colour of the chair makes that leather really stand out. Where you've folded the leather over (one the ends of the seat), if you have problems with the leather pulling out, you can buy beading string and wrap the leather around the string. That's how the beading on leather chairs is done, although they use much thinner leather when covering chairs. 👍
Awesome!
It looks like with just a few basic tools I could incorporate leather into all kinds of projects. Awesome!
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
You totally can! I thought you needed way more stuff to get started than you actually do.
@Bmk0017
4 жыл бұрын
I just bought a hand stitching kit on amazon for like $8 and have already made a wallet and a holster in the past week. Saddle stitching by hand is definitely tricky at first
Fantastic job, turned out great Bob! 😍👌🏻👍🏻👊🏻
Thanks for sharing that
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
You're Welcome!
Leather is great. I do dice cups and all sorts of small items like pouches or knife sheaths or whatever is needed. You can glue it, sew it, rivet it or just form it in place. And if you ask leatherworkers for waste pieces you get enough stuff to start working on and practicing.
Looks great.👍👍😎
Great job man. Leather is a lot of fun to work with. Especially for Costumes and Props.
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
I'm so excited about where this new skill will take us.
Leather has definitely interested me more and more. There's a satisfaction from sanding and fastening wood together, another satisfaction from bending some metal... but leatherworking seems to be a whole different thing. We're now entering into the world of belts, tool belts/pouches, wallets etc. Really awesome. Well done Bob. Definitely down for some more leather projects.
Looks awesome Bob!
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
That chair look lush now, love it ..
great work as always! good call on redoing the stitches.
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Nothing is perfect the first time.
Great video!! I enjoyed it!!
Bob, this was awesome. You're an inspiration with these videos. Diggin' how you're not afraid to try new things!
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
If you have an interest, go pursue it!
A very nice project! I´m impressed with the leather dye, that turned out really good. It´s always a hassle to get the right color and also to get it even.
Absolutely awesome Bob! The leather came out awesome, Nice to see you learn a new skill :)
Really nice..... it turned out awesome. Love the paint contrast with the leather dye color
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Me too
Leathercrafter here - I have a similar sewing machine and part of the issue your having is that it's not secured down properly. try clamping that piece of wood to the workbench next time, it will prevent the machine from wobbling and make your stitches more consistent. Otherwise you could end up with a very slight wave to your stitches, caused by you fighting to keep your machine from wobbling while turning the crank. otherwise the best remedy is practice.
Turned out really nice. Glad you kept the dont settle mentality and just fixed your mistake. As a weekend project idea you should look into the world of Pepakura and make something using its program!
It's beautiful!
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!
Nice!
One mans trash and all that...love it ..
Looks good! Love a nice leather project!
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
I *love* Weaver Leather Craft & I *love* Chuck Dorsett.
@Iliketomakestuff
4 жыл бұрын
They were such a big help with this project, not just a sponsor.
Nice project Bob, my Grandad was a cobbler for around 80 years the sewing machine you used is more of a cobblers machine. If you do more leather work in the future add a table around the needle plate, makes it easier to control the material.
Came out super great Bob......giving Taylor a bit of competition are we. 😊
Not bad sir. I have been leather and woodworking since I was 7yrs. old. If you bevel the edges before burnishing they come out much nicer. Also edge coat after burnishing. Got all kinda tips if ya need them. Have a great day.
Slick moves on that intro! 😂