Tschapka Restoration

[michiel]

I bought that UR14 tschapka 28 april 2013 (Ciney military show), exactly remember the date because after the show I went rock climbing with daughter and friends in the Ardennes, and I fitted some ornaments to my climbing helmet for the occasion!

 

[Pontiac9999]

You missed the key phrase Pontiac "a manual sewing machine". There are antique sewing machines which are turned by a hand crank & wheel. This would allow you to carefully stitch one hole at a time with the machine. You have complete control over it and you can guide the stitching needle through each hole. I have often thought of buying one of these myself but they are not cheap and you would have to make sure it was in good working order. The late George Birringer used to us an antique treadle machine to stitch his repro liners. If it chipped the shellac in a major way then it is of no use.

Ok Brian, my bad. When I hear "sewing machine " I freak out..lol

 

[b.loree]

Thanks Wojtek I will give that a try.

 

[Naprawiacz]

what a wonderful job, good idea to reshape the structure!, I did a similar job with a thschapka with sunk in top by putting it on a dummy head for a long time with good results as well, but are you going to replace the liner by a copy, or are you going to put back in the damaged one? I would prefer the original damaged one...

Hi Michiel!
I do not use copies,because they are expensive and do not have the look.Tomorrow a colleague will bring me an original from another cap.What is left of the original is not reusable.

 

[Naprawiacz]

Preparation of the material and the beginning of sewing.

 

[2nd.Leibhusar]

I bought that UR14 tschapka 28 april 2013 (Ciney military show), exactly remember the date because after the show I went rock climbing with daughter and friends in the Ardennes, and I fitted some ornaments to my climbing helmet for the occasion!

looking great Michiel !!

 

[b.loree]

Great job Wojtek, it looks very nice! I am surprised that you stitched the visor on first and then the liner ? I also see your “hand stitching machine” . I have one of those as well but I have never used it. I always thought the needle is too thick/large to stitch with. For those of you who don’t know, this device lets you stitch with only one pass across the stitch line, just like a real sewing machine.

 

[Sandmann]

Really well done Wojtek. Thank you for sharing the steps

 

[Naprawiacz]

Great job Wojtek, it looks very nice! I am surprised that you stitched the visor on first and then the liner ? I also see your “hand stitching machine” . I have one of those as well but I have never used it. I always thought the needle is too thick/large to stitch with. For those of you who don’t know, this device lets you stitch with only one pass across the stitch line, just like a real sewing machine.

All the fault of haste.You are absolutely right about the order of work.As for the sewing machine, several thicknesses of leather needles are available in our country.International designation of needles: 70-0.7mm, 80-0.8mm, 90-0.9mm, 100-1mm, etc.When using a razor, the work is shortened by three time

 

[Naprawiacz]

I finished sewing,now a gentle wetting with water of the insert and putting on the head of the dummy.On Monday will be left to do general cosmetics.

 

[seagull]

Is that "sewing machine" what they call a Webster punch? My wife has a few of those but I have never used one.
Steve

 

[Naprawiacz]

Is that "sewing machine" what they call a Webster punch? My wife has a few of those but I have never used one.
Steve

Steve I don't know the English name , but it looks like the picture.
Wojtek

 

[seagull]

Thanks for that Wojtek, it is constructed pretty much the same as a Webster Punch but they are used for a form of embroidery and the needle is hollow with the thread fed up through it to the point, whereas you are using a solid leather needle. The problem with a Webster needle is getting one thin enough to go through the holes in the leather but big enough to allow the waxed thread to go through. Interesting because the principle is the same - to put a loop through to the other side of the leather where the 'back' thread passes through and locks it all together.
I think I can modify one of my wife's Webster kits to do this - if she will will issue an AKO to authorise it!
Cheers, Steve

 

[Naprawiacz]

This is all I am able to do with it.This is the end of my capabilities.

 

[Pontiac9999]

Wow! Excellent work! I knew all along this piece could be restored, and you did it perfectly!

Very nice

 

[Naprawiacz]

Wow! Excellent work! I knew all along this piece could be restored, and you did it perfectly!

Very nice

Honestly, thanks to you I bought this item.I wanted to try if I can fix it.

 

[coert65]

And you succeeded in a great way Wojtek!
What a great resurrection of a Tschapka that was regarded as lost by many. It has found a new life.

Regards, Coert.

 

[Naprawiacz]

And you succeeded in a great way Wojtek!
What a great resurrection of a Tschapka that was regarded as lost by many. It has found a new life.

Regards, Coert.

Coert thank you beautifully for your kind words.Greetings warmly.

 

[michiel]

I like tschapka's, you did a very good job!

 

[k bandow]

I honestly don't think I would have the guts to fix one of these. Lots involved! Marvelous job!!