Shavonne

Hi Everyone, I'm working on my first leather project, a clutch purse. What type of leather is backed onto the caiman skin (see pics below)in order to make this purse of a stiff construction? I've purchased a piece caiman skin and it's not that thick. It seems as if the caiman is sewn onto the top of another piece of leather with the edges burnished, polished, and/or painted to join both pieces of leather as one. I'm no expert, but this is my guess. Any ideas? (I wasn't sure where to post my question as I'm still new at this). http://i45.photobuck...0Vera/croc1.jpg http://i45.photobuck...0Vera/croc2.jpg http://i45.photobuck...0Vera/croc5.jpg http://i45.photobuck...0Vera/croc7.jpg http://i45.photobuck...0Vera/croc7.jpg http://i45.photobuck...0Vera/croc9.jpg Thank you, Shavonne

Thanks Mike. I'll try to manually add the gathers this time using binder clips. I tried to manually add them a few weeks ago, using pins in the seams, but the pins were too flimsy and not strong enough to hold the material together. Let's see if it works this time =)...

Hi Everyone... I'm in the process of making a purse and have a Bernina 230 sewing machine. I'll be working with exotic skins (croc, snakeskin, ostrich, etc.). I've tested two pieces of faux leather. One light similar to lambskin and the other thicker (cowhide weight). Straight stitching on the Bernina wasn't an issue. However, I encountered problems using my ruffler/gathering foot. The lighter piece gathers, the thicker piece doesn't. I watched the ruffler as it was trying to push the thicker piece of faux leather, but the metal piece that does the 'pushing' to make the gathers was just skimming the surface (backwards and forwards) and not pushing. My machine can handle thick layers of denim, but then again leather and fabric are different mediums. I plan to purchase an exotic skin soon and wanted to test my machine to see if it can handle. I'm sure my machine can handle, but it can't handle doing the fancy "stuff" with leather such as gathers, pleating, etc. Do I need an industrial sewing machine? I am really new to leather crafting and this will be my first project. I'm hoping to get some advice from anyone listening.

Hi Tina, thank you for the warm welcome! That is a great observation, I never thought about and it makes sense. I'm wanting the snake cut along the top portion to give me the belly scales undisturbed. I'm going search on Ebay today for those sellers. I also emailed Ostrich Market (wow, they have some nice skins!), waiting for a reply soon.

MADMAX22, thank you for explaining (wow, what an interesting job to be a snake breeder/wholesaler in your teens). I am going to check out DCKnives website!

Hi All, I've done some research on python skins, it seems not all python skins look the same. Some have big or small scales. I'm interested in the skins with the larger more pronounced scales. I provided URLs to give everyone an idea of what I'm looking for (I'm making my own "designer" exotic handbag, please excuse the links below as these are the only examples I could find). http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/...0735cat14840744 http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/...0735cat14840744 http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/...0735cat14840744 http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/...0735cat14840744 What type of python these skins come from (African, Ball, Burmese, etc.)? I do understand the large scales are located on the 'belly' part of the snake. Perhaps the skins used were from a very large python. The purses above are practically covered with large scales. I've seen other python bags, but the bigger scales are more attractive to me than the small. I am also looking for a supplier as well and would like to know the different grade qualities? (I will probably post this in the supplier forum as well). Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

Thanks for the warm welcome Tom! Timd1159, I am going to check out this software..thank you!

Hi ATX...I will def. search for the pattern book. Thanks again...=)

This is my first post (excluding my introduction). I am very pleased to be part of this forum! So many talented individuals =) and nice work. I'm a beginner at leather crafting and would love to make my own handbags (because I can't afford designer handbags priced in the thousands). I've practically been using pencil and paper trying to come up with patterns, but it's difficult. I have an IT background in networking, so I know there is plenty of pattern software on the market. I ran some searches on this forum regarding software. There is so many choices; CAD/Illustrator/Photoshop/Corel/Strata. I don't know which one would be better for my use. I am hearing that Illustrator and Photoshop make a good combination. 3D software would be excellent. Can anyone give me some advice (perhaps keep using pencil/paper method)? Also has anyone heard of this product, http://thehandbagresource.com. Hopefully I posted this is the right section. Thanks again.

Hi Everyone. I'm a beginner at leather crafting. I love designer handbags, but can't afford the prices (anywhere from $800 to 50,000.00 dollars, if not more)! I am tired of lusting over these handbags on luxury department store websites and purse forums. I prefer to make my own purse and not worry about a thousand dollar handbag falling apart (a common complaint). I started researching 2 years ago and have gotten really serious in the last month or so. So far I've taken sewing classes, bought a sewing machine, ordered samples of different leathers, contacted Tandy about leather classes, borrowed books from library, etc. I believe it's time to start now, enough research! I found this fantastic forum today during my search! Of course I joined, =). Right now I am in the process of drafting my own handbag pattern, a clutch (made of exotic. I know nothing about drafting, so pencil and paper are my best friends at this point. Hopefully, I don't become bothersome with my questions. By the way…I am off to post my first question. I'm in need of a program for drafting patterns; it's difficult using freehand for some things (I am wasting too much paper and erasers, lol).