MrLentz

I kind of figured. Do you usually distress and stain a large part, then cut through it as needed for projects? Or just stain per project?

Hello Everyone, Jus thought I would share this simple video I made on threading a leather sewing machine. I know when I got the machine - the directions had me searching youtube to find a quick answer. Only after watching several videos did I finally understand how to do it. Now this video makes it short and sweet and easy to see. Check it out... http://www.mrlentz.com/2013/03/how-to-thread-a-leather-sewing-machine/ Cheers! Mr. Lentz

I am looking to buy any type of antiqued or distressed looking leather for some wallets and purses. Does anyone have a good recommendation of where I might find some? Thanks!

What do you consider a good finish? I know there are lots of options and a lot of topics on this, but just to name one or two - a satin version and a gloss example? Until now I have just been using Fiebings Aussie Leather Conditioner. I'm trying to stay away from things that are a little toxic if possible. Obviously the conditioner doesn't really do much to the stitching though.

-- Should I be stitching two stiches forward while holding the thread for tension, then let go and do two stitches in reverse, then continue forward until the end? -- Then after I cut the threads loose, is it typical to burn them to prevent it from loosening up?

Hello, I seem to run into the same problem every time I want to start a project. I come up with the design, or find something online that I want to make...usually very simple at this stage. Then when it comes time to sew it up, I go right for my sewing machine. I want to make projects with it, but it usually never looks that great. A lot of times the thread will gett bunched up on the first few forward and reverse stitches, and in general, it is hard to get a perfect look. In fact it is easy to screw up with a machine and have to start over with new leather. So - I end up starting over and hand-stitching with waxed thread. It always looks way better and feels a lot stronger. When do you usually hand stitch versus machine sew?

I think your technique will work the best, though that's a great point, that last stitch is bound to break pretty quickly. I ended up using my machine last night and overstitching by one stitch then reversing and I got the same look. In the end though - hand stitching the whole project is probably the way to go, it just looks better.

Thanks everyone for the input, I am going to try the technique of going one stitch too far and see what happens.

Yes, but after sewing it while flat, how did they fold it and re-sew with it looking like there is only one stitch ?

Hello, I came across this simple phone wallet and wanted to give it a shot - but I am confused as to how they sewed it with a machine. If you look at the image below, the stitch seems to go around the folded leather, continuously. However it also has sewn in flaps on the inside. It looks to be machine sewn. Any thoughts? Also - how did they dye their logo black without it running into the other areas? Thanks!

I was wondering if you could use this press for punching holes into leather for lacing?

I was wondering how one might get a dyed look similar to the one below? Is it dyed and dabbed with a sponge or some other technique?

Hello, I am interested in making a very simple, very thin leather wallet. Everything I am finding online is about thicker weights for tooling, but I like the simple, sleek look of a thin wallet. I have a few from Italy - and they looks as if they are using a 1oz weight for all pieces on the wallet - does that sound right? Where can I even find any hides like that? Also - is this better suited for a machine to sew, or is it possible to hand stitch this thin of leather? If so what size thread should I be using, needle, etc? Thank you!!! Mr. Lentz