Don Ayres

This is cowhide with an alligator embossed pattern, let me know what you think.

Hey Zonker, Thanks, Unfortunately I am unable to scale this pic up to size, can you give me a few measurements for the sides of the Hat ? Thanks Don

I agree in trying it on better quality leather.

I am currantly working with uhpostery grade leather, and am using it to make some wallets as gifts , although it is very good leather,and the wallets are coming out great, I would like to firm or stiffen it up a bit, It's a little too soft for my liking, Was thinking of maybe coating the suede or flesh sides of the wallet leather with something, Perhaps, Resolene ??? or Gum Trag or something like that, If anyone has any suggestions please let me know, since I have a buch of this leather I would really like to put it to good use making these wallets. Thanks Don A.

Do you have any pattern measurements, for this kepi?

Does anyone have a good pattern for a civil war style hat or kepi ? Thanks Don

Awesome Hat !!!!

Any hardwood should work, but cocobola seems to be what most people prefer because it is an oily wood, maybe teak would work also, I made mine out of rosewood, i'm pretty sure anything that will creat friction will work

Sure as soon as I get some Gum Trag

This is my first attempt making a dremel sized, leather edge burnisher, I just took the rubber sanding drum off the mandrel, along with the screw and two washers that come with it , Found some rosewood I had lying around , I cut it into a small square block then knocked the corners off to make it more round, drilled an 1/8th inch hole in the center, chucked it up in the dremel, turned it on, and held it against a sanding belt to true it up nice and round, then i took one of my lathe gouges and held it against the rosewood block while it was spinning in the dremel, and walla !!!!, took all of ten minutes to make, let me know what you guys think. Don

In carpentry we call it resawing, thats when you take lets say a 1" board stand it on edge and rip it down with a bandsaw to say 1/2" thickness, I have some thick leather and wil try this method at work tomorrow, I definitly think this will work.

Very nice wallets !!!!

I used sandpaper on my wallet to give it an aged look, Try it !!!

I have been doing this stitch for a while now, I originally found it in Bruce Grants "Leather Braiding" book, It is Plate # 69 on page 146, It is called a "Stairstep Applique of One Thong" it is a very easy braid and looks pretty cool, front side looks like a rope and back looks like a Buck Stitch, Hope this helps