Making Reins
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The harness strap leather is purchased a veg tan neutral shade. Before purchasing I make sure that the leather is perfect. When I get the leather home, I lay the whole hide flat on the floor and check its size and cut it in half. I then mix the leather dye, either Baby blue or Baby pink. I make more of these colours, as they are fairly common.
I paint the dye on just like paint with a brush to cover the whole hide giving at least 6 coats. The dye does not need to fully dry before painting the next coat. The dyed piece must dry over 24 hours for the leather to accept the dye and for the dye to harden.
I then mark out a straight line. From this I cut 1"inch straps, about 8 in total. I make sure to leave a piece 4 1/2" inches wide at the bottom for the front panels which are oval.
I then have to cut the Oval Front panels and put onto them the choice of motif which people have requested from my selection. I then put a line all around the Oval panels which helps later as you will read further on. Next I select the chest measurement of the customer and select the cut straps that would not need too much cutting and waste. I then punch these with a strap cutter for the pointed end of each strap I need and outline all these straps with a stitching line.
After this has been done, I cut up the felt to 4" wide strips. I lay each leather strap onto a length of felt and with a walking presser foot leather stitcher I attatch the felt for the full length of the leather strap. I do this to all main harnesses pieces, including attaching this felt to the oval panels.
I now have every thing ready to make up into a Harness. I cut vertical slots with a punch into the oval panels so that I can thread the leather through for the chest strap. I measure the desired length slip on a "D" ring and at the non-pointed end, and attach a roller buckle with Rivets. Then I space all the required measurments and add the 2 over-shoulder straps with rivets to the front panel, add the final "D" ring to the opposite side, space out the measurments and secure both "D" rings about 6" from either side of the oval front panel, and I am done!
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