Saddle Patterns

[rktaylor]

I've been busy expanding my leather working area and adding some climate control. I am not sure what my first project in the new area will be, but this question has been in the back of my mind for awhile.

I notice in Jeremiah Watt's video that he has a lot of patterns hanging in his shop. Do you professional saddle makers have base patterns for each style of saddle you want to build? I think I am not using my leather very efficiently since I am drawing some of my patterns as I go. Otherwise it seems I need to cut the pieces extra large to make sure I have enough for the final piece. Again, this makes my waste a little higher.

I appreciate the cantle back pattern that Keith shared and will likely use it again. I wish I could have attended his workshop in Sheridan, but am hopeful there will be a DVD.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Randy

[rdl123]

Randy,

As you are aware I am by no means professional - However in my limited experience I have found it beneficial to retain patterns. I made patterns for my first rig out of hard paper from walmart...when it came time to build rig two I was able to use these as a base guideline, incorporate some changes I wanted and come up with a revised pattern far easier than the first round. It has helped me save significant amounts of leather on saddle 2. What I really liked is that I knew from saddle one that there were definite areas I wanted to change - Having the original patterns let me easily trace the old pattern, work out my changes and develop a 'corrected' pattern. I suspect I will never quit correcting my patterns!

My plan going forward is to use only one tree maker for consistency and develop two sets of guideline patterns - One for flat plate wade's and one for inskirt rigged wades.

Dale Harwood seems to be really pattern oriented and I like the idea he promotes of consistency...His DVD's are well worth watching if you can get ahold of them.

What I would like to know is what do makers use for template material? The hard paper I use isn't the best - What stands up better to moist leather and extended use?

Ron

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

I still have the original patterns left over from my first saddle . I made them out of the Stohlman books. Like Ron, I have remade them and reused them a bunch over the last 20 years. I save what others I have made and always mark them so I know what patterns I used on a particular saddle. Almost always I end up with another set when I am done cause they are constantly evolving, but; I still use the originals as a baseline. It just depends what the customer is requesting, sometimes I just wing-it. For instance, I just took an order for a Western Dressage saddle. There will likely be quite a few changes that I will make, that I have not done in the past. So, here comes another set of patterns!

Ron, as for your question, if it is handy, and I need it and it will do the job, it is pattern material. I have patterns made form all kinds of stuff, like, parts of corrugated boxes, liners fro packaging, mylar sheet from the old engineering days, even cut up boxes from the post office! When all else fails, I run up to the office store and get some poster board.

Bob

[rktaylor]

Ron and Bob,

Thanks for the insight. I guess I am doing something similar. I just want to make sure I have a good set of patterns for what I want to build so that I can use my leather as efficiently as possible. That assumes I minimize my mistakes which has been a challenge.

Randy

[kseidel]

I certainly do have established and proven patterns for the different styles of saddles that I build regularly. These patterns have evolved much like the other men have posted. Once a good pattern is established, you can save it to heavy poster board, or HDPE, or whatever you like, for re-use many times. I have two walls full of patterns! This certainly helps develop consistency in your saddles.

Keith

[rktaylor]

Keith,

It sounds like I am on the right track, just way behind the leaders. I certainly have some patterns that I like and some that would make good fire starters. Any news on the DVD from Sheridan?

Randy

[dave194967]

hello my name is dave i aam looking for a pattern for a minature saddle 

i have a full size rocking horse it was given to me wen my 1st son was  born 47 years ago if i could get a pattern for a minature saddle would be good

im in australia i have tried lots of placecs but cant find one so if any body can help would be very much appreciated

my emal is dchatten@bigpond.net.au

hoping to hear from sombody thankyou

[millerjosey]

I’ve been using vinyl flooring remnants to make my patterns.  They are flexible, easy to cut, easy to trace, the edges don’t roll up or get tattered, and if they get wet - no big deal. 

[cowboycolonel]

I use a mid-weight clear plastic for my saddle patterns -- and I don't throw any away. The stuff I buy comes with a peel-off lining that you can trace onto if you want, then peel it off when done - or just leave it on.  These are flexible and impervious to weather and water.  Problem becomes when you lay them down, if you don't put a piece of duck tape or similar on it, you can lose it easily. Plastic comes in a 4 x 8' sheet.