Help needed: Harness making?

[Emmeline X]

I want to make a harness like this but am not sure where to start, short of buying lots of leather belts.
Has anyone got any ideas?
Picture is NSFW: (and yes I will be clothed underneath it  )

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[Jakoby T Simmeon]

For my money, you'd be better off purchasing a sheet of leather and building it all from scratch. Then you'd be guaranteed to have matching thickness, grain and color. Unless, of course, you don't have the tools for working leather.

[GentlemanCaller]

Now there's one particular area of my skills-set I never thought would come up on this board...

In simple terms, it depends on whether you want it in leather or some alternative. You could do a feasable cloth version yourself with webbing straps without too much trouble - you'd only need the two jump rings for the front, probably two d-rings for the back, and the buckles, which can be bought or salvaged as you wish. D-rings and buckles you can most likely get from a habidashery shop, jump rings of that size are a bit tricker - maybe try a camping shop? I don't know what your pattern drafting skills are like, but it looks fairly simple - an afternoon project, perhaps.

If you genuinely want it in leather, you either need a sewing machine with some heft to it and a good supply of ballpointed needles (And really, to really know what you're doing), or access to a very good custom saddler with an open mind and plenty of patience. I suppose a fetish couturier would also be a viable alternative, but never having been remotely near one I've always politely perplexed the saddlers.

[Emmeline X]

Thank you both, what I'll probably do is see if I can get hold of some brown pleather instead as it will be easier to work with. I have two left hands when it comes to sewing so it's best if I get cheap pleather pvc as I know there will be mistakes at first. What I may do as well is see if I can get some webbing type material and make a prototype first.

[Zwack]

Ummm... Yes.  I'm not a saddler, but I am politely perplexed.

If I was asked to do somethng like this I'd buy a piece of leather (probably a shoulder) in about 6 oz weight...  8 oz would also work, but I wouldn't go higher unless it wasn't purely decorative.  If it was to be worn as shown I'd probably go for something more like 4 oz Kip as it is very soft.

Then I'd cut a paper template to make sure it was about right and cut the pieces from leather (a sharp craft knife works well).  For the ends of the thin straps I would skive them down to closer to half their thickness at the doubled over end, cut a stitching groove down both sides and use a spacing wheel to mark the stitch points.  Then using an awl and needle and thread I'd hand stitch (double stitching for preference) the ends around the rings.

You can do the same sorts of things to hold the buckles on, or just skive, fold and rivet.  The back piece looks like it is stitched to a wider piece, you could just make it in one piece if you wish.

Skiving is cutting the leather so that it is thinner, it is usually done where the end needs to be attached to something else without becoming too thick.

For additional improvements you should bevel the edges and preferably burnish them too (although just using edge coat should work).

Tool wise you'd need a sharp knife, a steel rule, a stitching groover, a spacing wheel, an awl and two needles and thread, and appropriate sized hole punches.  Ideally you'd also add a skiver (easier than using the knife to skive) and an edge beveler.  For the slots for the buckles you can purchase a slot punch or use a hole punch and a sharp knife. 

I hope that this helps,

Z.

[Emmeline X]

That's great advice, thank you Zwack. I wasn't sure what tools I'd need, I just thought I'd be good with a craft knife, big needles, heavy duty cotton and a hole punch. I want to add brass rivets/tacks as well, would a hole punch suffice?

[CapnHarlock]

If you want to use "pleather" or some other non-critter material, for whatever reason, consider using a lining (satin is good) attached as per the (quick) drawing - real leather can be trimmed and finished, but the artificial stuff always has nasty edges



Before you make an order from Tandy- check out your local thrift-stores - they often have leather belts in various colors and sizes.

I have built a lot of ummm.... "non-equine" harness and pre-cut leather and rivets  will save you a lot of time

[Emmeline X]

Thank you  I have looked at "non equine" harnesses as well but they are all black.

[Sir Nikolas Vendigroth]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Dare I ask what you want it for?

[Alexander Edmund Clough]

Methinks possibly for "pony play"?

And no wonder Emmeline X is desireous of assistance making one... Google is your friend - the same item from Coco de Mer (high class adult lingerie and toys) will set you back the princely sum of £205!!!

[Emmeline X]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Dare I ask what you want it for?

A lady never tells 
No, I want it for wearing over a ruffle victorian style shirt, I have a brown leather and brass hip belt coming and thought a harness of similar materials would make the outfit that little bit different.
Coco De Mer was where I found the picture, having a little browse on their site I couldn't believe how expensive they are.

[Alexander Edmund Clough]

That would certainly make for an unusual outfit Emmeline!

And yes, I concur - Coco de Mer prices are insane!

They do a silver collar f'r instance. £546. In the photo it looks like it's maybe 1.5mm thick silver for the collar...

If you wanted to make your own, you could buy (at retail prices) 1.5mm thick, 1" wide and 16" long silver sheet for the grand sum of £55.

I'll drop you the details of a leathermaker of my acquiantance who will do bespoke work of an adult nature - her stuff is very good quality and nowhere near that sort of money CdM charge.

[Samuel Crowe]

The harness I saw didn't have any stitching on it. I'd say follow Zwack's instructions or find a place like Tandy Leather Co. that sells pre-cut belt straps. It looks like a bunch of straps just riveted together. I'd still follow what Zwack said about finishing the edges, but you could do away with stitching. My recommendation would be brass screw posts, something like this; http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?number=1291-01. They make it easy to adjust what your' working on until you've got it where you want it and then you just put some lock-tite on.

Not to mention leather dye and finish. Which can get messy, but you can match your other leather gear.

Have fun!

NSFW:
http://cocodemerusa.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=119

[Emmeline X]

The harness I saw didn't have any stitching on it. I'd say follow Zwack's instructions or find a place like Tandy Leather Co. that sells pre-cut belt straps. It looks like a bunch of straps just riveted together. I'd still follow what Zwack said about finishing the edges, but you could do away with stitching. My recommendation would be brass screw posts, something like this; http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?number=1291-01. They make it easy to adjust what your' working on until you've got it where you want it and then you just put some lock-tite on.

Not to mention leather dye and finish. Which can get messy, but you can match your other leather gear.

Have fun!

NSFW:
http://cocodemerusa.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=119

We don't have anything like Tandy Leather in the UK, or not that I can think of. Shouldn't be a problem though, getting the materials. That last picture you posted, the harness looks so cheaply made! Like Mr Clough said it's over £200, shocking amount of money.

[Zwack]

Um yes, a hole punch (and a rivet setter) are all you need for rivets but the screw posts may be better and easier for you...

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.co.uk/

Enjoy.

Z.

[stockton_joans]

we do have tandy in good old blighty, or stockists/supplyers at least, the one local to me is called the Identity Store and this in N'hampton and i'm sure there are other outlets all over, google "Identity store" and something should come up, not only do they sell everything you need the guys that work there are all leather workers and are more than happy to chat to you and give you hints and advice

[Emmeline X]

Thank you! Welcome to the forum by the way 

[Randolf J. Strauss]

I'd no idea that one could command that sort of price for something you can make for less than $50 USD including tools.  Given that profit margin, I would be able to afford the Artisan leather sewing machine that I coveted years ago.  Perhaps I should dust off my leather working tools and start perusing some adult toy sites.

[stockton_joans]

i have been toying with the idea of making some nice retraints (oxymoron?) and harnesses but i never thought i would be able to get a price for them that made it worth while, i do believe i may have to dust off my old plans.