AndiH Report post Posted January 3, 2014 Hi all. I'm a complete newb and haven't actually made anything but have a couple of ideas for projects that won't require much equipment to begin. My main issue is what type/weight of leathers would you all suggest for the following?: First, like has happened to many in this bitterly cold winter, my dog has had some frostbite on his pads. I found some booties that he will tolerate and are easy to put on but they aren't durable and I think need a bit longer (think tube socks with velcro). I thought maybe a leather or combination of leather would work out better to duplicate the basic designt. I'm not sure about the velcro either, but it seems the most sensible given he'd chew off laces in all likelihood. Second project is a key case based on the pattern of some my sister found years ago. They were a soft leather with a small snap pocket outside and a pocket on the inside. They worked great when a purse wasn't needed. Unfortunately they of course finally wore out and the duplicates we had made just aren't the same with the main issue being the leather being too stiff/thick. I know I'll need an awl and thread and maybe stitch guide (hope I have the right word!) and I should be able to use my utility knife with a straight edge for cutting. I'm not sure about thread and stitch length would be best, but that I can work out for myself using some scrap leather. Thanks in advance for reading through my rambling and even more thanks for any suggestions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted January 3, 2014 Looking on Google, . . . there are several Tandy stores in the Northern Minnesota area, . . . grab a snow shovel and head over there. Seriously, . . . they can tell and show you more stuff in 10 minutes, . . . than you can read and digest in an hour here, . . . much less the typing required. You also may look up at the right corner of the main web page, . . . the little star wheel is a search function, . . . use key words, . . . you should find lots of good advice there. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndiH Report post Posted January 3, 2014 Thanks, Dwight, but I'm afraid I'm quite a bit further north than the ones I found in MN or even Wisconsin. Maybe I'll ask a local guy that advertises himself as a leatherworker for some advice/lessons but all I know about him is that he has a sign posted. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ToddB 68 Report post Posted January 24, 2014 (edited) Hi AndiH, I have some information to help you get started in the hobby of leathercraft. One tool used for stitch spacing in preparation for hand sewing is called the "Overstitch Wheel" and it sure makes fast work of accurately marking stitch holes prior to piercing your awl holes. This tool can be used for marking the spi (stitches-per-inch) desired on a grooved stitch line and for running back over the stitches after sewing is completed to enhance stitch alignment. It is simply a small metal wheel, with teeth spaced around the circumference. This wheel is on a tiny axle mounted in a slot at the front end of a metal shank with a wooden handle.These tools come with a single wheel, or alternately you can buy the handle as a 3-wheel system, which is the best way to go I think. You simply run the wheel of choice down your stitch-groove line and presto ! The "system" package I bought from Tandy came with spacing wheels for 5, 6 and 7 spi and a small screw driver for changing these wheels. There are overstitch wheels with more teeth if you want finer stitches, or just 4 teeth for coarse (sometimes referred to as "running" stitches.). However, the 5,6,7 wheel combination seems to cover average requirements. I bought my 3-wheel system through the mail from one of the Tandy stores here in Ohio. These are made in Taiwan and the price is friendly. There are a few other types of similarly designed tools. One is called simply a "Spacing wheel" and another is called a "Buckstitch Wheel", so be careful to choose the correct one desired. Information for thread and needle sizes is available in the thread started by Pablo27 on June 18, 2013, titled "Thread Sizes And Needle Sizes". Here's the route on this website ....... Fabrication board > Sewing Leather forum > go to the above thread-starter topic (Use the search tool.). Don't forget to watch the Nigel Armitage You Tube videos on the home page of this website ! You can watch more of his topics by Googling "Nigel Armitage". Some of the most excellent tutorials I've ever seen on leatherworking ! Good Luck ! ToddB68 Edited January 24, 2014 by ToddB68 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndiH Report post Posted January 25, 2014 Thanks for the info Todd I wasn't going to make an overstitch wheel a priority, but as my ideas keep coming I'm realizing that I need to move that up. Tried to respond yesterday, but I had to go get more batteries for my keyboard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ToddB 68 Report post Posted January 26, 2014 (edited) AndiH, Thanks for your reply ! In the last paragraph of my above post #4 (copied in quotes below.), I made a mistake. Nigels' YouTube vidios are not on the Home page of this website. Actually, they're here > Leatherworker Board > How Do I Do That ? sub-forum > post by immiketoo , Ambassador member, sub-forum page #1 > topic titled: Basic Saddle Stitch Tutorial by Nigel Armitage > dated 1-4-13. "Don't forget to watch the Nigel Armitage You Tube videos on the home page of this website ! You can watch more of his topics by Googling "Nigel Armitage". Some of the most excellent tutorials I've ever seen on leatherworking !" Sorry for my mistake Mike, but this should put things right ! ToddB68 Edited January 26, 2014 by ToddB68 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mlapaglia Report post Posted January 28, 2014 As for the dog booties. Velcro can be stitched to leather if you like or you can install snaps. Id get some scraps wool still on. You can get them from Tandy CHEAP. Line the inside of the booties to keep the pooch's feet warm. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndiH Report post Posted January 28, 2014 Thanks for the suggestion. I had planned on using part of a blanket he chewed up a while ago, but the wool would probably be better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deserttguy Report post Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) Interesting as a newbe here.. I looked the internet over,, found a design I liked. made it, hand sewed with few instruments.... then after it was finished found the dimensions quoted in the tut or description were incorrect... learn something new every minute!! Check everything!!!!!!LOL........aka deserttguy Edited January 30, 2014 by deserttguy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
