First saddle and horn bag

[Marietje]

I'm a member of this great forum for some time now but never managed to post any pics. It worked now, but I wonder if they are clear enough.

These are my first projects. I had limited tools making these and have little more tools now, but less time to use them unfortunately.

The big saddle bag was the first project, the horn bag 2nd. I had much difficulty in keeping the wire stamp straight (horn bag). It is going from left to right, very bad.

But for one of the first projects I thought... héy... whenever is wire ever straight but nevertheless... I have to get more precise. Need a lot more practice but just had fun doing it and the friends I gave them to where very happy with it. If it is not only because I made them myself and put many hours in it.

Colors are also not really wonderful, I know, just used standard dye.

Your comment is very welcome and thanks for looking (and appologies if my English is not correct).

[bentley]

You are very brave to take on such a large project for the first time doing leather work. Your lacing looks good, the cuts and stamping are good for your first project. I think you may need to pay close attention to the dampness of your leather when working, it is a balance of not so wet that the leather sprays water out when stamped and not so dry that you can not make an impression with the stamp, try dampening your leather with a sponge and wait until the color starts to change back to the way it was before you wet it, it should feel cool and damp, now keep that moisture content constant, as it starts to dry out dampen again and wait, this will help give smoother cuts and deeper stamp impressions. Practice, practice and more practice.

[Storm]

Hi Mary,

Well this is very good for a first time out. I beleive my first project was a wallet with figure carving on it. Your lacing looks very good but you need to pay closer attention to the way you carve and stamp. But these things come with time and experience. Use your scrap pieces to practice on. Waste nothing! I have a feeling that you are going to get very good. 

Nou dit is heel goed voor een eerste time-out. Ik geloof dat mijn eerste project was een portemonnee met figuur snijwerk op. Uw vetersluiting ziet er heel goed, maar je moet meer aandacht besteden aan de manier waarop je snijden en stempel. Maar deze dingen komen met de tijd en ervaring. Gebruik uw brokstukken naar de praktijk op. Afval niets! Ik heb het gevoel dat je gaat erg goed.

So we are even! But I think your English is better than my Dutch! HA!!!

Storm

[Marietje]

Hé Storm I didn't know you spoke Dutch! You should see me now... big smile on my face! No need to send a mail in English anymore now

Thank you both very much for the comment, this is what I was hoping for so I can make my work better. I indeed need to figure out how damp it has to be. Will take advices to hart and will go and practice more on scrap leather. I see so many beautiful pieces at this forum and I know I'm far from it and only wish and hope that one day....

Again, thank you both.

[cowgirlrae]

Hello, I think for a first project you did an excellent job, I hope to make saddle bags like you did for my beginning project I'm not sure I'm as brave as you to attempt all that carving and tooling. I love the lacing on the edges.

Would you be able to share your pattern and instructions with me?

I was thinking I would hand sew whatever I made but I like the lacing better. I'm planning to cover a canteen and I think I could use the same idea of lacing the edges together.

My husband knows how to lace but I want to learn myself and show him my efforts.

Good for you!

Let me know,