Tinneal

Hello everyone! I made my account here many months ago... But I never really looked around as much as I wanted to. My summer work at a grain elevator ended, and my University classes don't start for another 5 weeks. So, I'm armed with a stack of Al Stohlman leather books, a ton of leather and supplies, and I'll be working away at some projects for the next few weeks! A second tool belt for my boyfriend, a wallet for my friend, and a knitting bag - although I don't know who it will be for yet. Anyways, a bit about me: I'm 23. I got into leather work many years ago when I started apprenticing at a shoe/tack shop. I spent the first month polishing cowboy boots by hand. After paying my dues there, I began cleaning tack, then moved up to small repairs, and eventually started doing custom work. After working there for almost 2 years, my boss retired. I bought his supplies off him, but sadly was not able to get his machinery. The next summer I became a live-in nanny for a family, and set up shop in a corner of their garage. It became my store, and I had regular customers coming in, having coffee, telling stories, just like old times. Once I started university, I moved into the city and have since turned the spare bedroom into my shop. I'm limited to what I can do, as I'm sure my neighbours wouldn't appreciate me pounding on my anvil and such... But I'm getting creative with what I do, and taking more time to read and study my books. So, for the next few weeks, I'll be on these forums as much as I can, learning all I can. Oh, and if you'd like to see a small sample of my leather work (and possibly even 'like' it), I've created a portfolio of it HERE. See you soon!!

As far as I know you could. The only thing you may have to watch for is that the leather is thicker, and not as flexible as fabric. So If the pattern says the interior will be a certain size, it will actually be smaller, since the leather is thicker... I'm not very good at explaining things, but the Al Stohlman "Art of Making Leather Cases" set explains everything very well. It has a few larger shoulder bags in the 3rd volume, and explains how to account for the thickness of the leather when making cases, in volume 1.

Perfect! I think I will get that. I checked on this website last night, but I missed this! Thank you! I did search on Google Images, and I know what kind I want to make, It was just a matter of finding a fairly universal pattern - sort of a "one-size-fits-all". He replaces his tape measure every couple of months due to it getting broken at work, and doesn't always buy the same one. But if he has a holster I made him, he would be sure to buy one that will fit.

Help! My boyfriend is a steam fitter/boiler maker, and I want to make some holders for him. Specifically a tape measure holder! And maybe some other tool holders... I was considering going to the hardware store, buying what I want to make, and taking them apart for patterns, but I'm a university student and money is tight. If anyone has any of these patterns they could give me, I'd be forever grateful! Looking forward to hearing back!!