Tinneal

Those are not my first choice in purse style, but the lacing, dye and tooling is wonderful! Is the 3rd one a stirrup purse? It looks like it from the side but I can't quite tell. I've always wanted to make one of them... I have a pattern, but its just a matter of getting around to it. Aside from that, more pictures, like maybe of the interiors or how they open, would give us more to comment on!

I'd also like the pattern whenever you have time, please! trowsome@gmail.com

Besides the AS book, I'm not sure... Can you just do an image search for bowling ball bags and see what you find? Or modify the existing one, or another case pattern? The AS one would definitely be unlike anyone else's!

The front pocket was one of the more fun parts! It was a pain to get it nice and centered, though. I have a terrible habit of making projects up as I go along, instead of planning it all out at once, so I only decided to put the pocket on half way through. The colour I used is Fiebing's "Saddle Tan" oil dye. I basically just dye it layer upon layer until it's even. I'm not sure if that's correct, but it's what works best for me. Hey! They do look like small horseshoes! :D Thanks!!! Thanks! All hand sewn! I have two machines, but they're both in storage since I don't have 220 converters in my apartment. I don't mind, though. I like to be able to say it's hand sewn, and it keeps me appreciating things... Also, gives me a killer handshake! Thank you very much!

Thanks for the feedback! I was wanted to add a shoulder strap, but I wasn't sure how to... I don't think I can put them on the sides of the case, because of the accordion gusset, and I'm not sure how to anchor them on the back... Any suggestions? It's coming on winter, and I'll have plenty of time to play with it. I own two sewing machines - neither of which I can use due to living in an apartment, so everything I make is hand sewn! Keeps me appreciating things, and I like the way it looks in the end. Bahaha! Posing my projects is the next thing I need to learn. Up until this point, 99% of them have been small so it's just a matter of placing them on a nice background. One step at a time!

Thanks! I've made a couple of sporrans and still have the patterns in my file folder, but new ones are always great!

I just finished it a few days ago, and I've been meaning to share it here. I got the patterns and theory from The Art of Making Leather Cases. I took the briefcase pattern, added a pocket from another briefcase pattern, and added the buckle closure and wrap-around straps myself. I really enjoyed making this, and I feel like it was just the challenge I needed in order to push myself to learn more. Things I learned while making this: - How to do "V" gouges on a larger scale - How to do accordion sides (very basic ones, but I learned nonetheless.) - How to do the front pocket I installed Things I goofed up/wish I would have done differently: - The front buckles don't close as well as I had hoped. The first holes I punched ended up being too high, so I punched some below them, which turned out to be a bit too low. - I would have made case roomier overall. **I still plan to put copper rivets on either side of the handle. With the weight of my uni books in there, I don't want the stitching/leather to be under too much stress...

Just went through all the patterns I have... No 1 inch squares or anything on them. The closest thing I can find to that, is that the description of the tool belt says its 2 inches wide. at 73% its just over 2 inches...

I've been looking at all the wonderful pool cue cases everyone's made, and I'd love to give it a shot! I'm an avid pool player, and having my own case would be great! Only problem is, I have no idea where to start... Is there anyone who has a complete tutorial, books, patterns, anything? I know there was one pattern posted, but without instructions. There's so many pieces, I'm not sure where and how everything fits together. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

That's good to know! Do you have the "Small projects" pack? Because that is the one I'm having the most trouble with.

Yeah, that's kinda what I was trying to do, but I don't have a 'ruler' to go by (or at least not one I'm aware of). The overview for the tool belt pattern just happened to mention that it's 2" wide. Printing it at 73% makes it like 2 1/8" or something. Printing other patterns at 73% makes them either too big or too small. Not all of them have references for what size they should be...

Very nice pattern! But the PDF version doesn't seem to be working. It's full size, but only one page... What percentage should the .jpg be for it to be full size?

Thank you! I'm still learning, and I've already found a ton of useful information here.

Practical items are the most satisfying to make. When I see people enjoying and using things I've made, it makes me very happy.

Thank you very much for that! I'm going to copy it into my sketchbook right away!

Thanks! That's what I was hoping for. I might still go with latigo, just because I will be doing all sewing by hand. Also, it seems to fair better in the bush.

Well, HERE's a full pattern pack for a roper saddle... The there's THIS one... Hope these help! The prices are certainly good!

I'm hoping someone has had this problem and been able to fix it... I purchased two packages of patterns from BHD, and although the patterns look great, I'm having trouble printing them. The tutorial online clearly says that to ensure the pattern is the proper size, open the pattern in MS paint, set the print scale to 100%, and print. I'm using a MacBook, and I figured it shouldn't be too much different. I open the image, print it at 100% scale, and it comes out way too big! I know this because one of the belt pieces included in a pattern was stated as being 2" wide... and when I printed it at 100%, it was almost 3" wide. Other patterns seem too big printed at 80%... I don't know what to do. I'm going to try using my boyfriends Windows OS computer tomorrow, and do the proper steps and see if it prints properly. Anyone else ever have any problems with this?

The "Stohlman encyclopedia of saddle making, Vol. 1" has a good overview of the two products. Pure neatsfoot oil is made from the bones and feet of cattle, with no other additives. Neatsfoot oil compound has petroleum products added - gives it a nasty smell. Although they don't list any cons to using either oil, using too much (soaking the leather), will take the life out of the leather, draw dirt into the open pores, and sweat oil out in the hot sun. They recommend about 3 layers of oil on the grain side, applied with sheepskin.

I'm also looking for details on how long the ear piece should be! I got a pattern package from Tandy Leather that has a one-ear bridle in it, but the ear hole is stationary - not a separate sliding piece.

I've made quite a few bridles for customers, out of double-ply veg tan leather. I sew it so its grain side out on both sides. Only one of those customers does "work" with his bridle, though. But so far they've all been holding up well! I do encourage my customers to keep they're tack clean and oiled, so that will help them last longer, but I will keep in mind maybe using a thicker veg tan and just lining the bridles. What kind of leather is best for lining? I don't think my local Tandy Leather carries horse hide.

All the ones I ever see in my local tack shops are sheepskin... Never thought anything of it, but that is a good point about them not lasting very long. Maybe use harness felt...?

Wonderful! I've been wanting to get into making similar English bridles, but I have no idea where to get leather similar to that...

My friend wants me to make a harness for her dog, very similar to this: http://www.hundegeschirre-store.de/images/dog-harness-ultimate-control-h17-all-weather-multi-tasking-police-k9-UK.jpg I'm not sure what kind of leather to use. The harness leather available at my local Tandy Leather is about $350/side... A little more than I want to invest in this. Latigo leather seems like the next best choice, since my friend will be using it outside, all year round. Any suggestions as to what type and weight? Thanks in advance! Tinneal