Uncurl Curling Leather Cords Using a Steamer

I have a project that is going to use leather cord. However, it keeps curling up even though it is off the spool. I need a way to straighten the cord. The first idea I had was to use a wire straightener (that Instructables is here), which worked fine. However, I came across a video of someone using a steamer to straighten bolo cording, so I thought I would give that a shot. Here are the results.

For equipment, you will need:

1. A garment steamer.
2. I bought the cheapest one I could find. This was at Home Depot.
3. I actually got it free because I had built up credit by using the Capitol One Shopping extension for Firefox.
4. Scissors, or some other cutting implement to cut the cord.
5. I'm using a cheap pair of Singer scissors I got before JoAnn Fabric closed.
6. Recommendation: Don't buy Singer scissors.

For materials, you will need:

1. Distilled water (to put in the steamer)
2. A length of leather cord that keeps trying to curl even though it is off the spool
3. Mine is 2mm natural leather cord from Tandy Leather.

Cut the cord to the desired length, BUT add a few inches for the part that is going to be secured in the next step. This part will NOT be straightened by the steam. For the purpose of this demonstration, I cut a 3-foot length.

Hang the cord somewhere. I am using some masking tape and my loft bed. You could tape it to a door frame or tie it to a light fixture. The choice is yours, as are the consequences.

Pour the distilled water into the steamer per the steamer's instructions. My steamer has a "maximum level" line, so I keep an eye on that while filling.

Plug in the steamer. If your steamer has a switch, turn the steamer on. Mine has a light indicating it is getting power.

Watch for the steamer to start producing steam. I'm not sure the picture does this step justice, but it is steaming. It took what felt like a minute; it wasn't a long wait.

While holding the cord at the bottom and pulling it taught, run the steamer up and down the cord. I make sure to get multiple sides of the cord.

You now have a straightened, although not perfectly straight, piece of leather cording to do with as you please. I know it is hard to see in the picture, but it is there. Now I can move on to what I want to make with the cord.