How to Use a Lace Stripping Service for Leather Projects

Quick Answer

Tandy Leather's lace and belt stripping services cut your purchased leather into uniform strips at your chosen width, saving you from buying a strap cutter or struggling with hand cutting. You order the service alongside the leather, specify the item number in your cart notes, and receive precision-cut strips ready for lacing, straps, or belts.

How to Order and Use the Stripping Service

1. Choose Your Leather and Width: Select the leather you want for your project from Tandy's catalog. Decide the exact strip width you need — the service lets you specify one width per item. For lace, common widths are 1/8" to 3/8"; for belts, 1" to 2". Measure your hardware or project pattern before ordering to confirm the width.
2. Add the Stripping Service to Your Cart: Add one lace stripping service or belt stripping service to your cart for each piece of leather you want cut. The service and the leather must be in the same order. Do not add one service for multiple items — each item needs its own service. Common mistake: ordering one service for multiple leather pieces. You need one service per item.
3. Note the Item Number in Your Cart: In the cart, add a note with the exact item number of the leather you want stripped. For example, if you're using a 3–4 oz shoulder, write its SKU. This tells Tandy which item to process. Only one strip width per service — if you need two widths, add two services with separate notes. Double-check the item number in your note. A wrong number could result in the wrong leather being cut.
4. Complete Your Purchase: Check out as usual. The service and the leather are final sale — they cannot be returned once cut. Make sure your leather choice and width are correct before submitting the order. Because the service is final sale, consider ordering a test strip on a small piece first if you're unsure about the width.
5. Receive and Use Your Strips: Your leather arrives pre-cut into uniform strips at your specified width. For lace, you can use them immediately for braiding, stitching, or edge lacing. For belt strips, you may still need to skive the ends or punch holes, but the straight cutting is done. Store leftover strips rolled loosely or flat to prevent curling. Avoid folding them tightly, which can create permanent creases.

Service Details at a Glance

• Lace Stripping Service: This service converts leather purchased from Tandy into lace with your desired width. Leather is sold separately. You must purchase one lace stripping service for each item you would like stripped. If you need strips from two different hides or two different widths, you must buy two lace stripping services — one per unique item.

  

• Belt Stripping Service: This service converts leather you purchase from Tandy into your desired width. Leather is sold separately. The leather and service must be purchased in the same transaction. You cannot bring in leather from another source or add the service later — the belt must be bought and ordered together in one checkout.