Sylvia

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.

I really have no idea... but I would start with COLD water and blot, blot, blot. The trouble is that it might drive the stain further into the leather and leave a water mark. So you might have to rewet the entire thing to get a uniform look.

I would not recommend chrome tanned for your application. I made the mistake of branding (using a wood burner) on some and was so sick afterward from the fumes. For days actually. If you really want to do this get some dyes in pretty large quantities and Vat dye

Tandy had some on their closeout site,... but I see they are gone now. The only alternative I can offer is a "branded Rivet Domer" from tanglefoot traders. It's expensive @ $130 but at least you can use what ever rivets you have on hand. here's the link. http://www.tanglefoottraders.com/#!__knife-sales-page

Thanks, Laban: I am glad you found their products helpful.

I don't know about the others but I would give that a good old buffing with some fine steel wool. Then give it a light coat of machine oil and wipe it down really well.

I would look at a luggage tag pattern. Or just make your own. Trace the ID card on paper or card stock twice. On the first one measure 1/4 inch around the whole thing. On the second one.... measure at least 1/4 inch around 3 sides (short, long, long) and add 1/2 inch at the final short side (for the clip hole) Use a small bottle cap or something similar to round the corners of your drawing. On the first piece, measure in and mark a line at least 1/4" from your original traced line to make the "window" Cut a prototype from scrap leather, an old pair of jeans, or what ever you have. Then punch and sew it up. If the ID card fits well. Make one from your "good" leather. Another way is to use a drawing program and draw one up. I think it is good to learn both ways to make patterns.