Most of my posts are about leathercraft tools and their uses. This week I am discussing various ways to stretch leather. Can leather be stretched and by how much. Is it easy to do, and what stretching techniques are best for shoes, gloves, wallets, bags etc. The main reason for the change in topic is because I bought some new shoes, which are a bit too small. After plenty of research I thought I would share all the juicy facts about stretching leather.
Leather is a natural material made up of collagen fibre bundles which are permeable and will absorb water when wet. This causes stretching when the fibres are altered. Leather can also be stretched using water, heat, alcohol, stretch spray, weights, ice/ freezing or various stretching devices. These techniques change the properties of leather so that it stretches.
Leather is a natural “material” that is relatively expensive but also long lasting. It is very durable, pliable and beautiful and can be altered fairly easily. This post is all about exploring different stretching techniques and things to avoid when trying to stretch leather. How easy is it to stretch shoes, how long does it take, can leather be over stretched and does leather stretching spray work? These are all the topics that i explore in today’s post so read on for more info.
What leather items can be stretched.
The most common leather item that requires stretching are shoes. Lets face it, we have all been there, trying to break in a new pair of leather shoes that are just a bit too tight. Did you know that Leather jackets, skirts, pants, wallets, gloves and bags can also be stretched, but the trick is using the correct technique/method . Leather will stretch naturally during everyday use but it will take time before the right amount of stretch is achieved. Items like shoes usually require stretching devices in order for them to be stretched properly.
9 different methods and tips for stretching leather
The Water method:
For this method you will need to completely submerge your leather in a container or sink with luke warm water for at least 10 minutes. Make sure to push/ kneed the leather when its underwater in order to get rid of any unwanted air bubbles and to make it supple and pliable. Let it soak for 10 minutes and then remove it from the sink or container.
Allow your item to dry slightly but not completely as it must still be damp. Next you need to put on your damp piece of clothing (gloves, skirt, pants etc.) and wear it while damp and until it dries out. Be sure to stretch your fingers, arms or legs in various positions so that the damp leather will stretch while you move. An ideal item of clothing to stretch with this method is leather gloves or skirt or pants. Please use caution when using the water method for stretching clothing as the water could damage zips, metal buckles that may rust after being submerged in water.
The Heating method:
Leather stretches when heated because the heat relaxes the fibres in the leather making it more pliable and allows it to be stretched. For this method you will need a regular hair dryer set on a low heat to evenly heat the area that you want stretched. Make sure you hold the hair dryer at a sufficient distance away so that it doesn’t burn or scorch. Once the leather is heated it will become soft and pliable.
Turn the hair dryer off and make sure the leather is not too hot to wear. If necessary put on a layer of clothing before you put on the heated leather clothing as this will act as a barrier and prevent burns. Put on the item and make sure to move your arms or legs into different of positions in order to stretch the leather. This method works best for smaller items of clothing as it is difficult to heat a large surface evenly with a hair dryer.
The Alcohol method:
You will need to purchase rubbing alcohol for this method. Mix 3 parts water to 1 part rubbing alcohol. You can apply the alcohol to the leather with a spray bottle or a cloth. Rub or spray the rubbing alcohol onto the area that requires stretching. If you are trying to stretch shoes you need to spray inside the shoes until they are damp. After spraying put the shoes on and walk around in them until the shoes are dry. This usually takes about 30 minutes as the alcohol dries fairly quickly. Repeat this process again if necessary. It might help to put on 2 pairs of socks when wearing your alcohol sprayed shoes as this also helps to get the leather to stretch in all the right places.
Leather Stretching spray:
You can buy various leather stretching sprays online or at Amazon. You need to spray the area that you would like to stretch. You then need to wear your item after you have sprayed it. If you are stretching new leather shoes, try wearing a few pairs of socks as well when walking around in them in order to get the leather to stretch out sufficiently.
The leather stretching spray used in conjunction with the socks will help give a good stretch. Please make sure that you purchase the correct leather spray that is suitable for your leather. Make sure that it won’t cause your leather to fade or stain.
The Ice/ freezing method:
This method is usually used for stretching shoes. Basically it involves filling a packet or ziploc bag with water. This water filled packet is placed inside the shoe that requires stretching. Be careful not to spill any water on your shoes. The packet or ziploc bag is then sealed and the shoes are placed inside another packet and sealed. This second bag prevents the shoes getting exposed to too much moisture.
The shoes must be placed in the freezer overnight. The packet containing water inside the shoe freezes and expands causing the shoe to stretch. Your shoes must be removed from the freezer the next day and will then need to thaw out and dry. it is a difficult method to perfect as the ice could expand too little and not cause any stretching. Be careful
when using this method as it may damage your shoes if it’s exposed to too much moisture.
The Weight method:
This method requires you to hang your gloves or pants up on a washing line or wherever is suitable and then attaching a weight to it in order to allow gravity to stretch the item while it hangs on the line. You need to be careful that you don’t attach too much weight as it might tear or break. It also helps to dampen the item slightly beforehand as this will
also help the leather stretch.
Remember you only need to stretch the particular parts of the leather that require stretching and not the whole item. A belt is a good item to stretch using this method as it could be hung up with a weight on one end and left to dry.
The Paper stuffing method:
Usually works best on bags, purses, wallets etc. but can also be used on some pairs of shoes. Its best to dampen the item slightly before stuffing as much paper as you can inside the bag or wallet. It also helps to dampen the newspaper before inserting it into the gloves or wallet etc. This will cause the wallet to bulge, thereby expanding or stretching the leather.
Leave the paper inside the bag or wallet for a day or 2 so that it has enough time to stretch. Don’t leave the paper inside the bag for longer than 2 days as it might cause mould to form as the paper is damp.
Buy your own shoe stretcher:
This method is best for someone who has plenty of shoes and doesn’t want to take them to a professional to be stretched. Make sure you understand how to use your shoe stretcher before stretching your shoes. Gradually stretch your shoes a little at a time over the course of a day or 2. You need to be careful not too overstretch the shoes as this will cause the stitching to break and your shoes to come apart.
You can use a combination of leather stretching spray as well as your shoe stretcher in order to get the perfect stretch. There are many different shoe stretchers available online at Amazon and the prices range for about $20.
Take your shoes to a professional:
Take your shoes to a professional shoe repairer or cobbler as they have all expertise and experience/ knowledge to stretch your shoes. They also have all the correct equipment that will allow them to safely stretch your shoes without damaging them. You will have to pay for this service and it will take a day or 2 to stretch your shoes but it will be worth it.
How long does it take to stretch leather.
Stretching leather can vary depending on which method you are using. Stretching shoes with a shoe stretcher can take a day or sometimes 2. Heating leather can work relatively quickly (about 1 hour) and so can leather stretching spray or rubbing alcohol.
Thicker leather will be harder and take longer to stretch than thinner chrome tanned leather. Other methods mentioned above will take at least a day or 2 in order for your to feel the results. Stretching leather naturally just by wearing the item will take the longest but can result in a perfectly fitting item.
Leather stretching device how it works.
Stretching machines are used for stretching shoes. A shoe repair store will usually have a few different types of these stretches available depending on what kind of shoe you would like to have stretched. The process takes about a day or 2 so that the shoe can stretch adequately and slowly. The stretching device which can be made out of wood or plastic looks like a foot that is cut in half. It’s inserted into the shoe and screws are turned that then expand the shoe stretcher in width or length depending on where you need your shoe to be stretched. Some stretches hold the shape of the shoe. Other shoe stretches are made for calf stretching or a boots with a high instep. The experts have all the tools to do each specific task.
Can Faux leather be stretched?
Yes it can but by very little and not as much as genuine leather. Faux leather will start to crack if you over stretch it.
Can suede be stretched?
Yes, suede can be stretched but you need to be careful what methods you use when stretching suede. Its a much thinner leather than vegetable leather and thus not as strong when stretched. The best method to use to stretch suede is a suede stretching spray specifically made for this purpose. This used along with a shoe stretcher should give you the desired result.
Conclusion
I hope you found the above information useful and managed to learn some new techniques for stretching leather. Remember to use the correct method for the particular article you are trying to stretch as that will give you the best results. Above all else work methodically through the steps and you should get the desired results. Please check out some of my other posts on leathercraft if you would like to learn a bit more about leatherwork!