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Roger that, Cheryl... I'll be sure to post up my experiment to encourage any others. Thanks again for your advice. Cheers, Matt

Hey everybody... I've got a couple repeat holster customers asking for soft sided bags. I've found some great oil tanned hides, but I'm not sure I can hand stitch it on a very precise level. Does anyone have any advice on hand sewing leather like this? I don't want to take on the project if I can't do it right... I have a post in the machine section asking about a couple local machines, but I don't think the machines in my very low price range are going to cut it either. Thanks a lot for your time and help! Cheers, Matt

Oh yeah, that's a great post, and I've read it a time or two... I just can't really afford anything more than dirt cheap, and was hoping for some feedback/miracle loop. I'd hate to pass on these TWO custom projects because I can't afford the right tools, and I won't take the project without the right tools... Darn predicament. Thanks a lot Ron! I'll be in touch with you when the time comes for a proper machine! Cheers, Matt

Hi everyone. I've gathered a ton of information here, so thank you for that... I'm getting a couple of my repeat customers (veg tanned holsters and cases) ask for soft sided goods. I've found some nice chrome tanned leather that fits the bill, but I don't really want to do these projects by hand. What do you guys think of the oldie Singer 15-88 treadle or the 15-91 electric machines? There's a few around locally (from $50 to $300), and if I can make one work for just a couple layers of 4-5 oz chrome tanned, I think I may buy one. I've seen some videos of them humming along on some scrap leather, so it seems that if I find one in good condition, it could be 'massaged' into service. I'm not scared of thumping a treadle, I'm more scared of wicked fast 'all or nothing' electric machine. Any information on thread and needle sizes these machines will run? My return customers are used to my very large saddle stitching thread, so I guess the larger the better. Are the needles the same as contemporary needles, or will they be an internet only deal? Thanks so much for your guys' n gals' time and advice. Cheers, Matt