Northmount

Good idea rc. I was making a prototype zippered case for a tablet. Shorted myself about a 1/4" around the three sides because of some in attention and too much hurry! So I ran into trouble with the stitch line. Couldn't stay in close enough using the sewing machine. Decided since it was a prototype (second try too) that I would dye it dark brown to help hide the ratty stitching. Dye did help a lot, but still didn't look too great. So I decided to see if I could punch close enough and lace it to hide the ugly stitching. Used double loop lacing. Got a good straight line with an angled chisel. The dark brown lace I used hides 95% of the ugly stitching, so it is hardly noticeable. Any how, my son is happy to have and use it. After three of these, I have learned how to get the zipper lined up correctly, and do a good sewing job. Practice eventually makes perfect! Tom

That's why I added a pulley reduction set as well. Most motors lose torque at slow speeds. So when going slow on thicker leather, the motor has lost much of its torque and needs some help, but chances are, I have both hands on the project and don't have a third one yet to help wheel the machine. There are larger specialized digital servo motors that have more torque at low speeds, but it's going to cost you! Tom

The picture comparing lock-stitch with saddle stitch omits some reality. It is rare that only one stitch is abraded or cut. Usually several stitches are abraded, so the integrity of both threads is lost. Anybody do repairs on old tack and harness? If not, take the time to look at what happens to the surface stitching on well used and worn equipment. I realize most tack is machine sewn, but my point is the abrasion the tack and harness is subjected to. I do appreciate the skill and time that saddle stitching takes. I also love the same appearance on both sides of a well done quality job. I'll use a machine where I can, and hand stitch where the machine can't reach. Though in many of those cases I would lace the project. It all comes done to personal opinion and experience. Many customers have little experience. They just want the cheapest handmade item, some regardless of appearance. To them, the ratty look is a mark of pride in owning something handmade. They support the underdog. Tom

Nice job! Hadn't considered snaps on a watch strap, but no reason not to. Always good to get back to hands on work. Tom

Chances are your stitching holes will be too close together so will not suit the lace. Tom

The leathercraft library has an example with instructions on an Al Stohlman Christmas card https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/p-713-christmas-card-by-al-stohlman-series-10-page-11.aspx? Tandy has a craftaid #76604 with pine cones. Good instructions on the back of the paper. Except for 2 typos. In step 1 and 2 the beveller is B202L and B202R. I used these instructions for a billfold craftaid #74010 since it didn't have any description and the photo was not detailed enough to see clearly. Tom

Also make sure you hang onto the top and bottom thread when starting to stitch. Tension is more even on the starting stitches and prevents bird's nest under the bobbin. Also, do test runs and reset the tension as required each time you change leather, thickness, thread and needle size. Use the same materials in the same configuration for your test/setup runs. Tom

In the interim, wooden mallets are cheap. Poly mallets cost a little more. An off-cut of 2x2 maple or oak is pretty cheap as well. Can carve the handle round to fit your hand. Hardwoods are best, softwoods like spruce or pine will be all chewed up in one evening. There are lots of options for temporary mallets or mauls. Don't abuse your tools! Tom

Only mark (or punch) the stitch holes on one piece. Then glue it (or staple it) together, then use your awl to piece the second piece, keeping proper alignment so the back side stitches stay straight. Due to the different radius of the 2 pieces, you can't pre-punch and keep all in alignment. Tom

Picture or link doesn't work. Please name the book, author, publisher. Thanks. Tom

Try a little talcum powder, or similar. Brush off the excess and should be able to see the holes you used for guide marks. Tailors used chalk for marking, there is also a sort of marking paper like carbon paper, at fabric stores, run over lines with a wheel like a stitch wheel. Tom

Read post #127, and the last few posts to this thread. Tom

Skive the edges thinner so you can roll the edge over without so much bulk. Tom

As tree reaper says, and the example (second link) is not a rolled edge. Edges have been glued, trimmed to match, sewed, and burnished to give a nice slick edge. Tom

It seems that UV light darkens leather, yet leather that is behind glass seems to fade. So it must be just the heat (infrared energy) that causes the fading to occur. Whether you can use open sunlight (UV rays) to darken the leather again, is questionable. You could repeat this as an experiment on the same type of leather before you decide to try it with your saddle bags. As an option, you could try oxalic acid to see if you can bleach the leather all to the same colour, then try dyeing it. Again, try on some scrap of the same leather first to see the results. When you re-dye, you'll have to dye the thread at the same time. So no white thread accent. Last resort, dye them a darker colour, dark brown or black. Dark brown might be able to cover the differences you see now. With an air brush, you might be able to compensate for the lighter and darker areas of the leather. You could dip dye. Hope something here helps and works for you. But you will have to experiment a little to see what the best route will be, especially concerning the time it could take to fix up the saddle bags. Tom

As wyomingslick says, for a knife sheath, should be able to do it with no joins. However on longer stitch lines, you will need to learn how to join. Not only does it take you longer to pull all the thread through each stitch, but the thread starts to look kind of ratty after a while. I second Al Stohlman's books. Tom

Take a look at this http://www.tandyleatherfactory.ca/en-cad/search/searchresults/4044-01.aspx In some respects, it is similar to the truckers wallet, no zipper, no chain. Tom

The name seems to get lost. Are you going to use some dye to highlight the name? If not, I would try to open the design up around the name a little bit. Not very much though else it will look like something is missing. You've done a lot of very good work on the design. Tom

There are lots of threads here on what is needed for a leather sewing machine. Go to the pinned topics in the sewing machine forum. Also do a couple searches for leather sewing machine Tom

The latex water based contact cements are all good for leather. Do a search, there are other threads on this subject. Ordinary PVA glues are okay. White glue is flexible after it sets. Yellow glue used for woodwork is not flexible when sets. So when you bend the item, you will hear it cracking. Still holds the leather together. Won't be as strong a joint, and is a bit disconcerting to hear the cracking sound. After several bends, most of the noise stops. But, just use white glue and avoid the issue. Tom

The longer brown stitches are probably what are called basting stitches. They are put in first. Long stitch length means easier to pull out if you need to make adjustments. Once it is basted together, then the finish sewing is done. The jacket is assembled in sections, not all basted together first before final sewing. Most are not glued before sewing. Super glue may be used so you can assemble pieces since you can't always clamp or use pins like tailors do. Where you can get away with it, you can use a stapler to "pin" pieces together. Put them a little ways away from your stitch line, on the hidden edge, so you won't have staple holes showing. I did a leather coat many years ago on a home sewing machine. Used lamb skin glove leather. Wasn't fancy but was nice and warm with a quilted lining. Tom

Here's a thread you should read http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=50439&hl=%2Bwashable+%2Bleather Tom

Bonded doesn't mean lubricated. It means the fibers are bonded together to reduce fraying of the thread. Bob Kovar at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines http://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread.html has pre-lubricated nylon thread. Tandy has (or had) some too. I have a couple spools of white lubricated thread I got from them some time ago. It is lubricated with a silcone based lubricant. Bob (cowboy bob) may have polyester too. Give him a call. Tom

Read post 127, and any of the subsequent posts listing the url for the patterns. Always a good idea to go to the end of a thread to see the latest info. Tom

Pretty nice. Tom