Stretching Cowhide Leather

[zebedee]

I've soaked jackets in water and used weights and fillers to stretch areas. These areas expanded. And gradually they returned to their former size.

Yup- I think that it's pretty much a material that doesn't really stretch permanently. Achieving permanent stretch might mean that the leather had been weakened and damaged...

 

[Monitor]

Yep, you can't really do nothing about it.

I too used to believe that it might be possible to stretch leather but it just doesn't work that way - Not to any desirable degree, at least. Once it forms around the wearer, it'll give the impression it has stretched which is something that will considerably affect the fit hence people getting the idea some dramatic stretching has occurred but nah, sadly, it's a lie. An illusion. A cake.

And what @zebedee says, I'm not very sure I'd even want the leather to stretch anymore because the parts that do, there's just got to be some sort of weakening there, even if minimal.

But with heavier leather, you can't expect to stretch the sleeves, for example. Or the jacket length. Even if you do manage to get 1 cm on one sleeve, chances are the other sleeve won't be affected at all. I've tried it on different jackets, some panels just won't budge.

Not only that but with time, the leather will shrink a little. All the vtg. jackets are somewhat smaller than how they began so best case scenario, your jacket'll just go back to the way it was.

 

[ton312]

I’ve always felt that if you feel the need to shrink or stretch a leather jacket, it doesn’t fit in the first place.
*EVERYBODY knows that*

 

[Monitor]

I’ve always felt that if you feel the need to shrink or stretch a leather jacket, it doesn’t fit in the first place.
*EVERYBODY knows that*

That doesn't make any sense. You have to make the jacket fit, it's not the other way around! Size numbers are for losers. Everybody knows that!

 

[ton312]

That doesn't make any sense. You have to make the jacket fit, it's not the other way around! Size numbers are for losers. Everybody knows that!

Thank God. The size 34” Aero I just picked up for a song should fit beautifully in that case!

 

[Monitor]

Thank God. The size 34” Aero I just picked up for a song should fit beautifully in that case!
View attachment 236007

It already does. Just need to embrace it. It's all in the mind.

 

[Carlos840]

You haven't done it the right way then. But it does stretch.

And now a nice false dichotomy, you are on fire!

 

[navetsea]

I've soaked jackets in water and used weights and fillers to stretch areas. These areas expanded. And gradually they returned to their former size.

leather like skin has elasticity and try to maintain its shape alright, but overtime just like old skin it stretches, my belt despite being 4mm thick has curved so much it looks like a bow because I condition it, and hang it permanently on one jeans for a little over a year.

another example is a wholecut oxford shoes, a single flat piece of leather upper that is wetted and pulled over a last until it retains the 3D shape of the shoe permanently without any seams.

now whether we can successfully stretch our leather jacket that is a question with many answers, I did stretched my sleeve on my goat jacket by wearing it wet so I have to roll the cuff otherwise it becomes too long, but my goat jacket is not really lined, the jacket and the lining is 2 separate pieces and not stitched together at the hem and at its sleeve end.

 

[zebedee]

Once everything's all stitched in place, it's probably either the right size or not and most fixes will either be temporary or might cause damage. Having said this, I'm not very particular about fit and would rather a jacket be a bit loose than tight. I'm happy with Aero's CR a size up and the sleeves an inch too long, as they bunch up anyway.

 

[El Marro]

And now a nice false dichotomy, you are on fire!

His wisdom is exceeded only by his humility I dare say.

 

[Pio]

I am glad we all finally agree.

Leather does stretch.

And shrink.

 

[ton312]

I am glad we all finally agree.

Leather does stretch.

And shrink.

Can you post some before and after pics of your results? Let’s see what you did. I still stand by my post that either effort is a desperate attempt at “fixing” an ill fitting jacket (or any item of any kind for that matter). But I am willing to suspend my prejudice until you show me otherwise.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

I am glad we all finally agree.

Leather does stretch.

And shrink.

Welcome to the lounge Plio.
It’s always a treat to have another expert contributor here.
I/we look forward to your continued contributions. Let’s see some stretched jackets, if you will.
B

 

[Pio]

You guys are funny

 

[ton312]

Welcome to the lounge Plio.
It’s always a treat to have another expert contributor here.
I/we look forward to your continued contributions. Let’s see some stretched jackets, if you will.
B

Look what I did to my trucker!

 

[Pio]

Welcome to the lounge Plio.
It’s always a treat to have another expert contributor here.
I/we look forward to your continued contributions. Let’s see some stretched jackets, if you will.
B

Well, thanks but no. Sorry

 

[Pio]

A few tips:

To shrink a leather Jacket- soak you jacket in really hot water for half and hour, the water must be really hot- then put the Jacket in a tumble dryer until its dry. It will shrink aprox 1 whole size.

To stretch a leather Jacket- get in the shower wearing the jacket in question. Let hot water run for about 10 mints. Get out of the shower but keep the jacket on for another hour or so, making movements with your arms to help the leather stretch. After that take off the jacket and let it dry. It will stretch aprox 1 whole size.

I've done this with Vegetable tanned Shinki leather, Chromexcel and Chrome tan leather. It has always work.

Whoever has ears, let them hear

As for me I give this topic as closed.

Have fun.

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[navetsea]

I never remove and hang my belts, i have permanent belt on each jeans, and these veg tan belt does finally curved over time (years), on the photo both belts laying flat against the floor. Not that if I want to intentionally curve them at will they stay curved or not i dont know about that, but if this leather however thick and made of 4mm solid veg tan cow can bend like this from 5 belt loops on a jean waist then it is possible to stretch it takes time and since i oil the belt from time to time perhaps that help them to be temporarily soft enough to distort.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

A few tips:

To shrink a leather Jacket- soak you jacket in really hot water for half and hour, the water must be really hot- then put the Jacket in a tumble dryer until its dry. It will shrink aprox 1 whole size.

To stretch a leather Jacket- get in the shower wearing the jacket in question. Let hot water run for about 10 mints. Get out of the shower but keep the jacket on for another hour or so, making movements with your arms to help the leather stretch. After that take off the jacket and let it dry. It will stretch aprox 1 whole size.

I've done this with Vegetable tanned Shinki leather, Chromexcel and Chrome tan leather. It has always work.

Whoever has ears, let them hear

As for me I give this topic as closed.

Have fun.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pics or it didn’t happen
B

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Topic is closed..?? Hey..I have eyes as well as ears!! Lets see the before and after leather jacket stretch!! Come on it's not that difficult.
HD