ETW Grumpy

tassie, thanks for your response. I have some patterns that I've found that I like. I guess I'm just going to have to put them on paper and play around with them.

I'm making a 3.5 " wide strap for a friend and I'm not sure how to get a design done. I thought about using a belt pattern and blowing it up, but then my stamps won't be big enough to tool all of the elements of the design. I can try to draw one myself and will if I can't find one, but my skills in that area are kind of shallow. Does anyone have suggestions, a pattern to sell or a resource that they know about? The main design theme will probably be western floral. Thanks.

Yes they do! Thanks TinkerTailor.

I saw this on Pinterest and I liked the way the grommet looked, but I can't seem to find one like it. It looks thicker and heavier than the other grommets that I've seen. Does anyone know where I can find something like this?

Thanks for the feedback guys.

It looks kind of like this one to me. I found it here: http://www.sewalot.com/bradbury_sewing_machines.htm

Made from a Big House Daddy Leather pattern, slightly modified by me. My question for the community is should I put my makers mark right up front on the flap or somewhere a little less conspicuous? Thanks for looking.

Very cool. Thanks for the pattern Tom.

Very nice. Thanks.

I just finished stitching a wallet that I started using the pony and finished prepunching and stitching without it. That may be the route I go in the future, just have to make sure my edges are really even before I start. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and input.

Thanks to everyone for their replies. Matt- I've given this some thought and it has it's merits. Avgvstvs - I'll check that company out. Troy - You're right, I have to have one point of contact when leaning. Do you yours in a pony or no? Bill - I agree, the trifocals are tough to get used to. I went to a single view set of glasses and a separate pair of bifocals.

I'm throwing this out there to solicit suggestions and ideas for a solution to my problem. In 2007 I got paralyzed from the mid chest down in a motorcycle accident. I went to college after the accident and am just now returning to leather work. I can tool with no problem but my biggest problem is with handstitching. I have been trying to use a stitching pony that sits between my legs and comes up to about my chest but because of the level of my injury I can't hold myself upright when I lean forward to see where I'm putting my awl to punch the hole. This causes me to lean too far forward and not be able to see what I'm doing because I wear bifocals and I get too close to the work. What I'm looking for is some fresh ideas to help me get past this. There's some perspective on this that I'm not seeing and I wonder if some one else has had this problem or handstitches in a way that is different from the traditional way and I might be able to use their method etc. The major issue for me is that as long as I can sit back in my wheelchair I'm good, it's when I lean forward that I have problems. I hope I've explained my situation well enough. If not, I'm happy to answer questions. Thanks in advance. Levi

Double posted this.

Beautiful work dude. Love the heart/motor hybrid.

Thanks Richard.

I have used the EcoFlo gel antique in the past and had mixed results. The problem I have most often is that is leaves kind of a blotchy look to the piece like I'm not getting it applied evenly. If I wet my leather slightly before applying it will that help even that out? Will spraying it with water soften the sharp edges of my tooling ?

+1

Very nice.

Do you mean for this coin purse? I was thinking 3/4 oz at the thickest.

You rock Tom. I really appreciate the trouble you go to to make these awesome patterns for everyone. Thanks so much. Levi

Thanks!

I think it looks very good. I like the idea of just having a single layer of leather for the band instead of 2 layers. Looks like you made the end closest to the pins just long enough to go around the pins and fold over. I'm assuming you skived them down pretty well and glued them. If so, what glue did you use?

I saw this bracelet on Pinterest and love the braid. Can anyone tell me what it is?

Very elegant. Tight edges. Cool looking stitching clamp too.

I agree with snubbyfan, if that's your second piece ever I'm looking forward to seeing more. Great looking work.