DoubleC

LOL Jimbob, guess I'm not allowed. I have a cobra 4 and there is a learning curve and one of them is spi. I just did a CC holder and spi was way too long, set at where it came from the factory. So I shortened it. I think your stitching looks nice. Yes tensions, the bobbin screw, etc is hard at first. Like Jimbob I run some stitches first to make sure my machine is cranky, LOL. Good luck with your Cowboy. Cheryl

I had a dobie that could open the crate latch with her nose. Would stick her nose through, lift it, slide it and drop it. She also opened car doors the had the lift handle. I believe you, LOL. And you're welcome. Cheryl

You can get a stitching pony from Tandy and other places that don't cost nearly that much. I got a HORSE on here for 75.00. Cheryl Here is the link to Tandy's. will check out SLC too for you http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/site-search-results.aspx?sectionpath=3&processor=content&p_keyword=stitching+pony Here's a pony from SLC. http://springfieldleather.com/29102/Lacing-Pony%2CStitching/

well if you will be dyeing the project then you do want veg tanned. Embossed is already dyed, I just thought you might like the look of some of it. I think people make knife sheaths out of 8-9 oz and an ipod cover or book cover I would use 5oz. because that's going to be doubled. And Springfield Leather Co. will cut the leather for you so you could get 4 sq. feet of 5oz for your first projects and 1 sq. foot of the 8-9 oz to practice a sheath on. or anyway you want to mix it up. Knife sheaths I think are usually molded around the knife then allowed to dry, and the weld and back sewn to the molded front. I haven't made one yet but have a man who wants one so that's how I was planning on doing it. And also asking on here first. For the small projects you could buy a belly at SLC. and for the practice sheaths also a heavier belly because it's not going to stretch since it will have a weld and back. That would give you lots of extra leather to play with. http://springfieldleather.com/25850/Belly%2CHermannOak%2C9-10oz%2CEach/ Cheryl

Quill, just for future reference it's not a good idea to sew across the leather. But since you used rivets too it shouldn't be a problem. It's a beautiful collar and a beautiful dobie as well. I've had three dobies and it is hard unless you use a harness to deal with their necks and head. Using the .75" was a great idea. Cheryl

David you don't need to use tooling leather unless you're going to tool something on it. And then you need the basic 6 and a swivel knife. Until you see if you like it, for your ipod covers and such you can use their embossed leathers if you see some you like. But veg tanned will certainly work. You will need dyes or if you leave them natural a finish. I use resolene that's 50/50 with water. Always had good results with it. Also you can buy mop and glo and cut it 50/50 and get almost the same results. If you're going to use veg tanned leather you'll want to burnish the edges but for now that can be accomplished with water and canvas or denim. I use saddle soap and denim, it's the heat that makes the liquid slick the edges. If I think of anything else I'll repost. Good luck. Cheryl

My dream company would be where I could make what I wanted and sell it. I do a lot of custom work and they are usually one offs so I don't get to really settle into a comfort zone. I would price them fairly. For example I made some cross-body purses for the Farmer's market. I have them prices at 25.00 but they are easy to make. I make a lot of 10.00 bracelets for there. And have some priced at 18.00 that use more leather and time. I think I'd like to make more guitar straps, inlaid and overlay and sell them. They don't sell easy here at 75.00 although I'm not ashamed of the price. They are very good straps I think. I'd like to be local and make money at it, don't want to be global although I have an Etsy store. And FB page. But sell very little from there. I'm not sure I'd want anyone to work for me although there are some things I'd like to turn over to someone else. But I think I'd make a terrible boss because I would want people to care as much as I do. I'd like to be the 'Coach' of less expensive items. Where people would recognize my stuff when they saw it locally and make unique and beautiful items. If I had enough customers which I could in this dream shop I would like a storefront Cheryl

This is my first attempt at one of these so I know my sewing needs some help I need a smaller needle and thread but this is the smallest I have for my machine. Anyway I wanted you to see the edge primarily. It's a little blurry but you can still see the shine on the edge. All I did was put the quik slik on with a q-tip and use some denim to slick it. It's very smooth all the way around, even the top which I would have had to work pretty hard on if I'd used my usual saddle soap. And if you don't like this look be sure to check out hidepounder's tutorial on edges in 'how do I do that.' I'm sure you can get more answers in there. Cheryl Oh meant to tell you that you can dye the edge after the quik slik.

The 6 if I'm remembering back when I bought mine were a camo, veiner, beveler, thumb print, seeder and backgrounder. Then a swivel knife and you can pretty much do any basic Sheridan design you see, plus a lot more. I bought a book of belt designs and in it they put which tool you use where for when you're first starting. It was $0.99 at Springfield Leather Co. Also my set of 6 that I got on eBay came with designs you could do and what tool to use where. The first tool I replaced was the beveler which was very clunky. And frustrating to use. So someone gave me a smaller, steeper beveler. I still use my other ones for border designs, etc. I don't do Sheridan designs, or the flowery, scrolled designs you might consider leather carving. But that's just one kind. You can buy these sets plus about anything you can think of on eBay. Cheryl

You didn't mention antique paste or gel so I'm wondering what you want to resist? Resolene as mentioned above will work for both but unless you are planning on antiquing it you would just apply it at the end of the project. Also although there are tons of uses for it I don't know why on this project you need glue. Are you putting a lining on the key fob? I'm just trying to save you some money to start. And you may want figural stamps instead of an alphabet. Depending on how you want the project to be. The alphabet stamps are expensive. I'd recommend the basic 6 plus a swivel knife to get you through your first several projects and future projects. A camo, veiner, etc. If you ask where you get your stamps they'll know what you mean. Cheryl

I've heard of the 50/50 mix but not adding oil. You don't need to use wax on the edges, anything wet will work. You could use saddle soap which is softer or even water. The burnishing heats it up and tightens the fibers so you get a nice edge. I just recently bought some Quik Slik from Sheridan Leather because only they sell it and I'll be using it today on some 3-4 oz cc holders I made if you want me to tell you how it works. Cheryl

Bob are you talking about a 'pocket of leather folded behind the slits like KK shows in his wallet tutorial? Because I still don't understand, LOL. He didn't add any text to that area and I never quite knew what he was doing with the cc slots. Can you show the back of one of yours the next time you make one? Thanks, Cheryl

Yes I can skive other materials. But I like the look of lizard and have a nice brown piece here picked out. I am waiting on the buckle set though so haven't started it yet. I'm wishing now I'd gotten the 5/8ths. I get ideas and before I even get the products I start doubting how the project will look. If it seems too big then I'll use it on something else and get a smaller one. I have a beautiful 1" set I've been saving for something nice, maybe I'll use it. It's silver colored with brown and red designs in it. Oh well I'm blabbing out of control Thanks for your help. Cheryl

So you put the cork on the leather and folded both over. How unique. Now you are giving me ideas of making a lizard or some other exotic watch band, have a ton of small exotic pieces. Cheryl

You use cork on your ends? What a cool idea. I see that you sew your hardware on so that's what I'll do. I really do love your pieces ypou've shown us here. I hope the thin foam from walmart or some place else works out for you. Cheryl

Absolutely awesome. I have the highest respect for someone who can take a hunk of metal and make something beautiful like that. Cheryl

Ron awesome job on the saddle. Heck awesome just considering doing one. I think it's beautiful. Cheryl

Beautiful Bob. Like Jan C I've often wondered how to back those. I make my own CC pockets and would like to try that style someday but can't work it out in my befuddled brain. LOL. Cheryl

I love your ideas for the strap. I have a leather sewing machine so I could use that for the hardware. I don't have to use Chicago screws on something this small, or I could use rivets although I'm not that secure in my rivet setting. I have a lot of lining material too. I appreciate all your help with this, sorry I couldn't get back sooner. Cheryl

Just got a lecture on presentation today, yours is really cool. And a beautiful strap. Cheryl

Thank you so much. I asked 1500 members this in another group and they could not tell me what % the small strap was to the larger one. I guess I'll just test it on me. It may be more of a cuff strap I guess at that size but I just couldn't resist the buckle set. I guess the back would look like a belt really, oblong hole for buckle and two chic ago screws to hold the buckle and keep in place. then the tip glued on the other end. Have done it 3-4 times on a guitar strap but nothing this small so want to make sure I cut enough for the fold, but not a foot too much, LOL. I don't expect it to look anything like yours since it's my first one. I have some new dyes and antique paste coming plus some burnishing tools so I will just stamp my initials on this and try out some of my new antique. I use a horse shoe stamp sideways for the CC so if someone buys it, it's my makers mark. If they don't it's mine The buckle set I got is similar to this http://springfieldleather.com/27208/Buckle-Set%2CSan-Saba%2C3-8%22/ but an inch. But it's silver and gold plated so can match any jewelry. I hope the one inch doesn't end up looking clunky. Sorry for blabbering, I appreciate you showing me the back and I'll show you mine when I finish it. Cheryl

I'd recommend the basic 6 and a swivel knife. These other things are nice to have but not essential. By the basic six I mean the camo, veiner, etc. Ask them at Tandy and they'll know what I mean. Mine didn't cost over 50.00 for all 7 tools. Hope this helps, Cheryl

Very beautiful Chief, Cheryl

Beautiful Job Jeff, Cheryl

What a beautiful piece. Cheryl