How to stop a tear in the leather from spreading?

[Monitor]

The sleeve zipper gusset on my Langlitz Colombia is tearing and it's getting worse because of the shovels that I got for hands. It doesn't bother me but figured I'd ask because maybe someone has an idea how to stop the tear from spreading. I mean, it bothers me in as much that eventually I'll end up with one sleeve without a gusset...

I've been advised several things; to glue a patch of leather over the rip, to sew it back together or to replace the whole thing altogether which is too much work (and I hate patchwork).

So do you guys know if anything can be done? TBH, I don't really care about actually repairing it, I just want to stop the tear from spreading. Or do I just cut open the gussets and be done with it?

 

[Seb Lucas]

I had this. Get someone competent to stitch across the end of the tear (where it stops) and put in about 4-6 tight double stitches. Done.

And yes, you could glue some very fine leather across the back of the tear too to hide hide it and close up the leather.

 

[RJR]

I had this. Get someone competent to stitch across the end of the tear (where it stops) and put in about 4-6 tight double stitches. Done.

And yes, you could glue some very fine leather across the back of the tear too to hide hide it and close up the leather.

+1,any shoe repair shop should be able to handle/advise you.

 

[Monitor]

Stitching the tear seemed like the most logical thing to me too but oddly enough, both the cobbler and the leather jacket repair shop told me it can't be done which is why I'm asking here. I would really like to avoid using a glue...

 

[Bamaboots]

Stitching the tear seemed like the most logical thing to me too but oddly enough, both the cobbler and the leather jacket repair shop told me it can't be done which is why I'm asking here. I would really like to avoid using a glue...

Maybe they were afraid sewing in that area would only weaken it more. I've done minor leather repairs attaching a patch with contact cement such as Weldwood. Contact cement will create an almost permanent bond and will remain flexible, unlike glue.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Stitching the tear seemed like the most logical thing to me too but oddly enough, both the cobbler and the leather jacket repair shop told me it can't be done which is why I'm asking here. I would really like to avoid using a glue...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't ever go to either place again. They obviously know nothing. I bet they offered to take the jacket off your hands for a few bucks, since it's now "a throwaway"...

 

[Doctor Damage]

Maybe they were afraid sewing in that area would only weaken it more. I've done minor leather repairs attaching a patch with contact cement such as Weldwood. Contact cement will create an almost permanent bond and will remain flexible, unlike glue.

One option is to sew a strip of leather wrapped over the edge of the gusset, sort of like how tweed jackets are sometimes fixed when the cuffs wear thin.

 

[Cooper A-2]

Had the same ugly thing happening to an A-2 jacket.
Took a very thin and strong ( goat or HH) piece of leather as a patch , same color.
Use some special high power industrial glue and bond it from the other side (invisible side).
The glue to repair bike tires worked the best and is still very flexible and transparent so almost not noticeable.
Good luck and Season's Greetings

 

[nick123]

Lordy. I hope that wasn't there before! Maybe you should just let it tear, and by the time it's enough of a nuisance in ten years send it to Langlitz to get it spruced up with a new lining, etc. I don't think the tear will increase with any quickness but I haven't been in that boat before.

 

[pak]

I'm with Nick on this one. It adds personality. Additionally, if it was to run then replace the gusset or sew on a doubler.

 

[handymike]

The elbow is wearing thin (and has a little tear) on my 30's barnstormer. I like the patch under the leather idea. I think I should re-inforce both as a precaution. I probably need to go through the sleeve liner. Is innertube glue safe for leather? This jacket is a real beauty- I'd hate to ruin it.

 

[Feraud]

That's a small tear and can absolutely be sewn. It won't look pretty but it will be effective.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

If all you want to do is stop the split getting worse, simply sew a couple of small stitches at the end of the tear with black polyester button thread, it will take 5 minutes & if you do keep it small & neat, it will hardly be visible unless you look for it. However, this will only work if there isn't any undue stress on the tear, if you have to force the cuff over a part of your anatomy, then the tear will need reinforcing by gluing ( contact adhesive is fine) some kind of patch, either leather or fabric, on the underside & joining the edges as best you can, then sewing the whole tear together. Admittedly, you will need minimal sewing skills.

 

[Feraud]

Also, Weldwood contact cement works great on leather!

 

[handymike]

Thanks!

 

[Rabbit]

Tiny rip, easily sewn. If the rip is longer, but the hide still supple (not thinned/flaking from age) then possibly the safest way to sew the rip is to sew S-shapes going back and forth across the rip so that when you sew over the rip, it's held not by the one stitch going across but by an entire stitch row. This makes the repair much more sturdy. It basically looks like the $ sign with the l being the rip and the S being the stitch row, only difference being that you can do several S-curves.

Handymike, is that the barnstormer that came from me? You can open the stitches of the sleeve liner at the cuff, then push the liner back and sew clear through the leather without the liner. Then reattach the liner.

 

[Rabbit]

Found an example of that S-shape stitching row, on a 30s German jacket. Looks great.

 

[willyto]

That actually looks cool.

 

[Monitor]

Nick, it was there from the start but barely noticeable. I only recently noticed it got further - and it's progressing at a pace I don't like. Not complaining in the least bit. Like I said, it doesn't bother me but I just wanna stop it if I can. It's actually getting worse and the tear is longer than what it looks like on the photo as it's ripping sort of sideways, horizontally so it's hidden when the leather sits still. But yeah, add half an inch to the visible tear.

I finally got an answer as to why they can't/won't repair it with the sewing machine - it's too close to the zipper for the machine to fit. Too little space to work on and it'd have to be done by hand. I can do that but problem is that the leather on the gusset isn't in the best... condition. It's rotty at the edge, as you can see. The rest of the jacket is perfect but these gussets... Aren't. I'm afraid the thread is just gonna cut thru the leather. I'm gonna have to use the glue. Either that or I remove the gussets...

I don't trust anyone here to replace it as they can't source leather of this quality. Old Langlitz had no zip gussets anyway. I'll go with the glue. Thanks for the help, everyone!

 

[IXL]

Stitching the tear seemed like the most logical thing to me too but oddly enough, both the cobbler and the leather jacket repair shop told me it can't be done..........

I know a few saddle makers who would disagree.