Take two pieces of leather and punch holes at 1 cm intervals around 0.5 mm back from the cut edge. Soak in warm water to soften, stretch and allow to dry in the sun.
Cut two pieces of softer leather into 12 mm wide strips, place in warm water to soften and dry off in the sun.
Do some maths - width between rowlock centres is 60 inches. Divide by 2 = 30 inches - add 2 inches to each length = 32 inches. This is the centre point for positioning the leather on each loom.
Mark position on looms and slightly abrade with fine sandpaper.
Now position the piece of leather correctly. Apply glue to both inside of leather and the loom and allow to go tacky. Whilst waiting, cut waxed twine to appropriate lengths and thread two needles.
Then insert needles into one hole either side - knot the ends together and then start stitching, tightening the stitches every so often - pulling the leather tight together. At end, tie off the two pieces of twine with a series of reef knots.
Take wooden mallet and gently tap the stitching down in to the leather so it doesn't stand so proud.
Now glue strips and loom and tack one strip alongside top end of the loom leather piece. Wind tightly and then add more glue, allow to go tacky and add next strip. Every so often add a small tack pin to hold in place. Six strips later, tack the last end in place and rub away any excess glue that has escaped from the sides.
And leave to dry thoroughly before use.
In the meantime, use any off-cuts to leather the rowlocks
Cut two pieces of softer leather into 12 mm wide strips, place in warm water to soften and dry off in the sun.
Do some maths - width between rowlock centres is 60 inches. Divide by 2 = 30 inches - add 2 inches to each length = 32 inches. This is the centre point for positioning the leather on each loom.
Mark position on looms and slightly abrade with fine sandpaper.
Now position the piece of leather correctly. Apply glue to both inside of leather and the loom and allow to go tacky. Whilst waiting, cut waxed twine to appropriate lengths and thread two needles.
Then insert needles into one hole either side - knot the ends together and then start stitching, tightening the stitches every so often - pulling the leather tight together. At end, tie off the two pieces of twine with a series of reef knots.
Take wooden mallet and gently tap the stitching down in to the leather so it doesn't stand so proud.
Now glue strips and loom and tack one strip alongside top end of the loom leather piece. Wind tightly and then add more glue, allow to go tacky and add next strip. Every so often add a small tack pin to hold in place. Six strips later, tack the last end in place and rub away any excess glue that has escaped from the sides.
And leave to dry thoroughly before use.
In the meantime, use any off-cuts to leather the rowlocks
