A guy I knew bought leather like they make baseball mitts out of. He got some rawhide cord, used a leather punch to punch holes around the perimeter of the leather then just laced it all up. It wasn't a professional looking seat but he's never done any leather working and I thought it looked pretty cool. Used a little foam between the seat pan and the leather. I'd show you the bike but he sold it and its on the other side of the country somewhere.

 

I have been looking into the idea of making on own leather seat. I have found that Tandy Leather Factory has free classes. That comapy also seels some low priced books on the subject your asking about. I looked online to try and assist you but came up short. You might want to ask your friend how to do what he thinks is right or just buy a book...

 

http://mdc.mo.gov/teacher/highered/crafts/craft11.htm

Actually looks like a whipstitch would be easier to mess around with for a first-time project.

 

a running stitch is a very easy way to do it, and if you want it to turn into a saddle stitch(looks anyway) just stitch back over the blank spots.

 

Here is a pic out of one of my old leather books on what the procedure is. Hope that helps.xo

 

there was a guy like 3 weeks ago that did a good job of showing pics on his version of a bates seat .... do a search for that one ..... come out awesome too

 

Go to your local Tandy store and pick up the book "How to Lace".
Saddle stitching is in there along with many others. Very basic and easy to follow.

Good luck.