Using Masking Tape to Reduce Stretching

Although I might do some of the steps differently than described, the process of getting from start to finish will be pretty much the same. In the last post I mentioned that it is important to put packaging tape on the top surface of the tracing pattern to keep it from stretching and tearing. Usually, before I do this I will have my leather prepared for transferring the pattern onto it.

If I am using 9-10 ounce, or heavier leather, I like to get the leather wet and let it case in a plastic bag for a few hours. I would rather leave it overnight to case in a plastic bag so that the moisture will be more uniform throughout the leather. If I am using lighter weight leather, such as 3-4 ounce, I will spray the leather with a spray bottle and let the moisture absorb into the leather to soften the fibers on the flesh side of the leather. I may do this more than once to get the moisture to be consistent throughout the leather.

A trick that I learned from another leather craftsman many years ago is to use masking tape on the back of light-weight leather to keep it from stretching as much when it is tooled. I put the masking tape on the flesh side of the leather before I get it wet for the first time. (I do not think that you will gain anything by using masking tape on leather heavier than 6-7 ounce thickness.)

I use wide masking tape, at least 1 ½ inches wide, to cover the back. I let the edge of the first row of tape lap over the edge of the leather so that I can make sure that it is covered. I then place the next row of tape as close as possible to the first row of tape to help prevent large gaps between them. I let both ends run long because I believe that cutting it too short or having the edges lap over each other might add some unwanted bumps on your leather project. I continue placing tape on the backside of my project until it all has at least one layer of tape on it.

First rows of masking tape - notice the gap.

In the photo above you might notice that there is a little gap between the first and second row of tape. This may not present a problem when tooling, but it is a good practice to put a second layer of tape on over the first layer. I run this one at a 90-degree angle to the first layer of tape so that it will give more resistance to the leather stretching in the opposite direction. It will also give the back of the leather a smoother surface when carving and tooling. Again, on the second layer of masking tape, butt the edges of the tape as close together as possible and let the ends run long as shown in the photo below.

Second layer of masking tape

When applying subsequent rows of tape, make sure that you do not lap the edges over the previous row. Any masking tape should work to keep the leather from stretching. I used the blue tape because I got a better deal on it than the regular beige colored roll. Again, put the tape on before you moisten the leather so that you will not be turning the leather onto the grain side which might allow unwanted imprints from something on the surface. It is possible that when the leather is moist that you can also pick up stains that may be on the work surface. 

After all the tape is applied, use a sharp utility or craft knife that will allow you to follow the edges of the leather to trim off the excess. It is important to remove most of the excess tape that you see because when you turn the leather over the adhesive will be facing up and it will stick to your hand when you are trying to work with your tools. Trim off the excess tape only after you have the leather turned so that the tape is down.

The other thing that I like to do is leave the tape on the back of the leather until the leather has dried. It can take a few hours for this to happen and it may be best to wait until the next day to actually remove it. The second layer is a piece of cake to get off. The first layer will be a bit of a challenge sometimes because the areas that have been tooled will adhere more to the tape than the borders.

When pulling the first layer of tape off the project do not pull it straight up. It might be necessary to pull straight up when you initially begin to remove a piece of tape. After that pull the tape off in the opposite direction from which you started. For example, I am right handed and I have found that it is easiest for me to start pulling the tape off from the left side of the project. Once the tape starts coming off I try to keep the end of the tape on which I am pulling as close to the leather as possible and pull it off to the right side. This seems to minimize the potential stretching of the leather when removing the tape.

As with any process, putting tape on the back of your project can have its own set of challenges. I have already mentioned the stretching of the leather that may happen with the removal but sometimes the tape wants to tear somewhere in the middle of a row. The best means I have found to get the leftover tape off is to use the point of a utility knife or Exacto knife to carefully pick up the stuck end of the tape. Do not try to cut the tape off because it would be easy to cut through the leather and ruin your project. Try not to leave any tape behind as it may cause the area to be a release point for a piece of lining leather or fabric to come loose.