Tandy Leather tutorial shows double loop lacing for stronger edges

On a knife sheath, double loop lacing turns an unfinished edge into a raised border that also reinforces the seam. Tandy Leather’s double loop lace tutorial centers on that finish, which also suits pouches, wallets, journals, bags, and cuffs that get handled every day. If burnishing gives you a clean edge and stitching gives you a low-profile seam, double loop lacing makes the edge itself part of the design.

What double loop lacing actually does

The technique weaves two loops through each hole, creating a regular rhythm along the edge and a slightly elevated finish. That extra dimension gives the piece more presence in the hand and more polish to the eye without relying on hardware or machine work. It is a classic stitch that sits between decoration and reinforcement.

It is also more versatile than the name suggests. In Tandy’s Leathercraft Library, double loop appliqué lacing can be used on flat surfaces and can join two pieces of flat leather, so it is not limited to the outer border of a single panel. That makes it useful when you are building cuffs, flat pouch fronts, or decorative joins that need to look intentional from both sides.

When it is the right edge finish

Double loop lacing earns its keep when the edge will be seen, touched, and flexed. Knife sheaths are a natural fit because the edge often frames the whole piece, and the same goes for pouches, bags, journals, and cuffs where a decorative border signals that the project was finished on purpose, not just closed up. The technique also makes sense when you want a hand-worked look that feels more custom than a plain stitched seam.

It is not always the best answer, though. If you want the fastest possible finish, burnishing usually wins because it keeps the edge flat and minimal. If you want the seam to disappear into the structure, stitching is usually the cleaner choice. Double loop lacing asks for more time and more attention.

A simple way to decide:

• Choose double loop lacing when the edge is visible, handled often, and part of the design language.

• Choose stitching when you need a flatter profile and a more restrained look.

• Choose burnishing when the goal is a clean, quiet edge with the least visual fuss.

• Choose simpler lacing methods when you want some hand-worked character without the same level of time and repetition.

Why makers still reach for it

Ivan Leathercraft lists lacing as useful when leather is too thick for sewing machines or too heavy for a standard needle, especially in saddlery, holsters, bags, and sheaths. It fills a construction gap, especially on thicker stock and on pieces where a machine seam would be awkward or overpowering.

Tandy’s books collection includes *Lacing & Stitching for Leathercraft*, which covers lacing, stitching, splicing, hole punching, and needle threading, while *Leather Craft Handbook* includes lacing among the basics for novice leatherworkers.

What it asks from you at the bench

The technique looks straightforward once it is finished, but getting there takes repetition. Tandy’s instructions call for keeping tension consistent, slightly dampening the lace so it stays flexible and does not twist, and practicing on scrap before committing to the final piece. Those are the details that separate a tidy edge from a lumpy one, because the loops only look effortless when each pass lands with the same pressure and angle.

It is approachable, but not instant. If you already know how to cut, punch, and stitch, double loop lacing is a natural next step because it expands your finishing toolkit, adds a stronger visual border and a more deliberate handmade feel, and does not demand specialized machinery. The tradeoff is time. Compared with a quick stitch or a simple burnish, it adds more hands-on work.

Why Tandy keeps returning to it

Tandy Leather was established in 1919. On its Leatherbound Legacy page, the company credits Al Stohlman with shaping leathercraft instruction for hundreds of thousands of leathercrafters worldwide. Tandy also dates some of the original leather pieces used in Stohlman’s published books to the early 1950s, while its Leathercraft Library includes project and pattern material from the 1950s through 1998.

A Tandy YouTube lesson in Jim Linnell’s wallet series, posted about 10 years ago and viewed 491K times, ends with a thorough explanation of the technique.

The tools that make it easier

Tandy’s Craftool lacing chisel for 1/8-inch lace produces 4 laces per inch, which gives you a sense of the spacing the company has in mind for a neat edge. Tandy also sells lace products such as Premium Calfskin Lace, so the setup is built around matching the tool to the material instead of forcing the job with general-purpose hardware.