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The thong is a decorative way to secure or join the ends of the pieces of the article. A thong is a long strip of fine leather that is cut and worn for bundling. The width of the thong varies depending on the size of the item to be produced. However, the common size is 1/8 of an inch, while the size is further reduced to 1/10 of an inch if the item is very small. The leather to be used for the thong should be strong but thin. Generally, the type of leather used for the production of the item is used for the thong as long as it is thin. However, if a different color effect is desired, the leather craftsman can dye the straps. To create a continuous thong, the leather is marked in a continuous formation using a compass or any circular device.
Before the thong can be made, holes or slits must be drilled with the use of any piercing device, such as a six-way awl. Typically, thin paper or cardstock is placed under the leather to obtain a clean cut hole.
Also, after punching, the punching tool should be turned slightly before removing it to ensure a perfect punching of the holes. The holes must be large enough for the straps to pass through. Therefore, the size of the thong must be known so that the holes to be drilled correspond to it. The marked holes should be equally spaced normally ¼ inch from the center of one hole to the next. A score line can be created in the leather as a guide for drilling the holes to make them straight.
It is advisable that the corners of the items for the thong be rounded so that the gaps, as well as the thong, do not look ugly in the corners. If grooves are to be created instead of holes, piercing pliers are used. A very flat needle is used to thread the strap through the created slots.
The Thonging process
To join two pieces of leather, the strap is passed through the first hole in the top piece of leather. It is cut and deposited inside the two pieces of leather between the holes in the strap and the edge. Then it is secured with glue. The strap is passed back through the first hole from the bottom through both pieces of leather. The process is then continued, depending on the thong technique. When the thong is complete, the thong should be buttoned or secured. This can be done by threading the strap between the two pieces of leather just below the last hole. The excess thong is cut off leaving an end of approximately one inch. Then it sticks inside.
Another method is to deliberately loosen the last stitches on the strap and thread the end end under them between the two pieces of leather. The thong is then adjusted and cut on the inside. When a new piece of thong is to be joined, the ends of the new and old thongs are trimmed or trimmed with a knife. The ends in opposite directions are tilted and a little glue is applied to the scraped parts. They are then secured and hammered flat. It is essential to place a piece of cardboard over the grooved area during hammering in order not to damage the surface quality of the leather.
