Stirrup Leathers: Middlings Straps Stitched to Stirrup Buckles, Creased on the Flesh Side (Hasluck, Saddlery, 1904)

"Stirrup leathers (Fig. 15) must be made from stirrup middlings, and with stirrup leather buckles; the width may be 1-1/8 in. to 1-1/2 in., but 1-1/4 in. is most common, whilst the length varies from 4 ft. to 4 ft. 6 in."

Cut two straps from stirrup middlings, 1-1/4 in wide (1-1/8 in to 1-1/2 in) and 4 ft to 4 ft 6 in long, to suit the rider. There is no need to cut holes for the buckle tongues at the buckle end, as the tongues do not go through the leather there.

Bend the strong end of each strap over for about 2 in and stitch it firmly to the bottom of the buckle. Narrow the buckling end a little and nip a little from each corner.

Stain the edges and polish them well. Crease double and heavily with a hot screw crease on the flesh side, instead of the grain side as with other straps.

Turn the chape at the buckle the reverse way, and make about eight holes in each strap.

From **Saddlery**, edited by Paul N. Hasluck, David McKay, 1904 (archive.org saddlery00hasl), chapter V, stirrup leathers, pp. 48-49, Fig. 15 on p. 47; every fraction was read on the scan. He says about eight holes; his Fig. 15 shows seven. The ladies' single stirrup strap is not made here. Making them as a pair, the thread, tools and metric figures are ours.