Sylvia

I've seen these knives for sale. I keep meaning to add one to my arsenal of tools. Got to love that picture, it looks like the knife is USB powered. lol

LOL that's great CC....

:D File folders are great for Temp leather pattern, Those heavy plastic folders work ok too. Luan (that really really thin wood) is ok for one that's more sturdy and you can sand it to improve curves and whatnot. I've made some from aluminum flashing I have sitting around but cutting with tin snips can be unwieldy and the edges can be sharp. For transferring designs, I like those heavy sheet protectors, which can be traced over and over and are clear so you can have precise placement. I'm about to go buy a few newspaper roll ends for sewing patterns for fabric and to use to cover my table for when I dye.

Funny what bothers others. My husband and I built a bench for me that is in the garage so I can get my leather junk out of the living room. I have been using one of those tables that go behind the couch... you know the tall skinny ones? That's fine but not much room. Here's a video of what inspired the bench if you want to build one. Mine is 2'x8'x 32" just the right height for me to work standing or sitting. The total cost of the materials was something like $70. We had screws and nails already. Took 8 2x4s, 2 sheets of 7/16" OSB and 1 white surfaced hard board and some 1inch door stop. (used that for trim around teh top. Glue, screws and brads or finish nails.

LOL Squeaky Minks.

That looks a lot like a hand plane used for wood. hmmm wonder if a wood plane would work if one sharpened the blade really well?

That's a good question. If you were dip dying I would think you would want the dye to be "struck through" meaning dyed all the way to the center of the leather. In thacase the tape would be a hindrance. So I would say... dye the whole hide (bare) then allow to dry. But considering what Pete had to say about not being able to tool leather after it's been dyed..... It may be that you'll have to experience a few trial and error episodes to see that works. Personally, I wouldn't even bother with whole hide dying... just invest in an airbrush and compressor and dye them individually... or in groups of like colors. Or I suppose you could make a request from your leather dealer for struck through leather in the colors you want. Again, it's unlikely that you'll be able to tool those. Taping the backs: Those of us who cut first, then tool... then dye... use the tape to keep thinner leathers from stretching while tooling cased leather. BTW... if you are going to tape... why not use that contact paper for shelves. you could "tape the hole hide with a few passes of contact paper. I think it would make smaller pieces a breeze too.

Nope that should work. Have fun playing with it. Get some card board and practice with some food coloring in water or something.

Well, said... You are my kind of gal, Saffo.... Necessity IS the mother of invention... and boy-howdy, have I done some inventing in my time. Also, if you have a wood heat an old couch can provide some nice dry kindling for the winter.

LOL. Oh yeah. I offered graph paper to a kid a few years ago... he had NO idea what it was for. (they all use computers and graphing calculators in school now) So I sat and showed him how it can be used for different things from room design, to landscape design, to graphing data , to drawing something he might want to build..... Never thought to show him how to use it to draw a pattern. I don't think I did anyway. I think it is essential for pattern making... especially if you just don't want to flip on the computer and fight with a drawing program. lol

Graph paper will help kill the wonkiness. You can google "free online graph paper PDF" and just print it from your computer. In fact here is an online generator that allows you to choose the paper size and the size of the squares.... http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/plain/

These are really pretty... I like the Joker ones a lot.

Go to Ferdco.com and look at their closeouts. (They just shut down their business.. and are slowly clearing house) I think they have one that might work... You'll need to Email them and get a local number for them. Cheryl is the woman's name. (real nice gal.) but be warned... she lives 1 hour away from the old plant. Anyway... here is the advertized deal on their closeout servers Internet Specials - New DC Servo Motors 110V with adjustable speed settings - While they last - $89.00 plus Freight.

depending on the thickness of your leather and the quality of your spots... I just use a bedazzler. On thicker leather... I've been known to just press the spot into the leather and then use a single tine lacing punch or a diamond awl to make the holes... then carefully push it through and bend over the edges and tap them down on a solid surface. When there is a will... there is always a way.

Great idea bluesman1951! I just trace my patterns onto clear sheet protectors. Then I use a ball ended stylus (or dead ball point pen) to re-trace the pattern onto the leather.

Wish I had a clicker...

I agree with spinner. Modify a fabric pattern and make a prototype before you make the one for the project. (use something like heavy vinyl upholstery material to prototype)

What's the name of the glue and where did you get it.? Does it stink? Oh.. never mind... I see it. Armaflex 520 http://www.armacell.com/WWW/armacell/INETArmacell.nsf/standard/291BCD07425D2CBCC12576D40038439D

I cut, case, tool, oil, dye, finish. I use rather thick leather 10oz plus usually. Dying a whole hide might be cost prohibitive. What happens if you dye it black and someone wants Pink.?? To avoid stretching some people tape the backs of their project pieces with packing tape. (I think contact self adhesive shelf paper, would work for large pieces) Or glue it to a hunk of light cardboard like cereal box.

I would avoid most of the "new" tools from Tandy. Craftool is not what it once was. I added to my old set by buying things as needed from ebay... focusing on Craftool Co, Craftool USA and Craftool (with just numbers and no letters) The least expensive but Quality "pro" versions of tools, in my opinion, is Barry King. But there is a plethora of other makers out there that I'm sure the others will name for you. Osborne is known for the cutting tools and punches. Bruce Johnson has a good collection of older tools on his site that might be tempting. http://brucejohnsonleather.com/content/index.php/leather_tools_for_sale/

Ah! That makes sense! Thanks for clarifying.

Well, the first thing you have to do is learn patience. Leather craft is not an instant gratification thing. More folks have ended up ruining projects by not letting dyes and finishes dry properly before the next step. (ask me how I know. LOL) The smell does go away. And once you put your finish on there you'll not smell it at all. Katsass, if I remember correctly puts on some plain old black shoe paste right on the vinegarooned item. If you are familiar with the smell of shoe paste... then you know it will disguise the smell of 'roon. But regardless if you let it sit a few days in an area where it will get plenty of fresh air... the smell dissipates over time. Remember that Vinegaroon is an acid based chemical. The baking soda bath is to stop it from damaging the leather. Though in the old books on the subject it never mentions the baking soda bath. So I am not sure it's required with well brewed 'roon. Make sure you hand oil the leather and rub it in well, too.

I know someone that uses the Dots removed from hold punching. She glues them together in interesting ways and makes pendants and earrings out of them. I'm not sure I would be patient enough so save enough "dots" but they do look cool.