DoubleC

I have this extra machine I bought to rehab and put in a cabinet I have and resell. I have one and they'll sew anything from silk to leather up to 1/2" This is seriously the best domestic Singer ever made. Will handle #69 thread with ease if you need it, I've never had to use it. I just finished up a guitar strap made with 7/8oz veg tanned, foam, and 4/5oz chrome tanned backing. I couldn't get the presser foot all the way down on this project and it still sewed it with #30 quilting thread. It's a centennial m odel. If you're interested just PM me. Cheryl

Marcos, I use my Singer 15-91 for everything from silk up to 1/4 inch of leather, denim, etc. It can handle #69 thread and Bob at Toledo will tell you these are good machines to start out on while you save up for other machines. You're not going to saddles I assume, and I just sewed a guitar strap that was 7/8 oz veg tanned, foam, and 4/5 oz chrome tanned for backing. I couldn't even get the presser foot down completely. It just does what I want it to. I have the one below for sale in a cabinet and another one that will be for sale after I rehab it (yeah, I kinda love and collect them). The one below is a centennial model, has the blue and red tag instead of just the brass one. So I want a little bit more for it. If you're interested pm me. Cheryl

Slack I use conditioner when everything is finished, either plain Ole Vaseline or plain ole VT. Bag Balm (only because I live here and that's what they sell, any bag balm should do). I put a bunch the end of the strap, then use a hair dryer to liquefy it and rub it in by hand, starting at one end and using my fingers to fold the strap over probably every 1/2" with the rubbing. I always have a lot left on the surface but I hang it over something with middle at the top and let that leather just soak it up (Hey bag balm was good for the cow when it was alive, still is when it's leather). Couple times a day I try and rub the excess in using the same process as the first time. Then when it has to leave the house I take a t-shirt and buff it and get the excess off. Gives it such a nice, mellow shine and just drapes at that point, as much from using your hands on it as the conditioner. It doesn't matter what weight you're working with, it'll drape. And they also sell fancy expensive conditioners if you want to try one of those :-) Cheryl

Today I made a train overlay for my next guitar strap. As usual, it started out one direction in my head and ended up a little different after it was a object I could hold and see. But any day with leather in my hands is a good day.......Cheryl

I made this train overlay because....well just because I wanted to. I just got this idea in my head of using leather itself as the overlay with black lizard behind it to darken the windows and open doors. I think it's pretty primitive looking myself but I didn't look for a hard design to do this the first time. I had intended on doing the reddish tan with a decorative edge and antiquing the edge, but now I wonder if a distressed strap might look better with the style of the train. Cheryl

Well Mike I downloaded a free pic of a brook, meadow and some trees. I was going to put Sienna in the meadow so it will be more than a traced calender, LOL. But I thought you wanted us to get a feel for perspective ( I'd settle for a touch, forget a feel) and learn a little about using our tools to create that. Like you said, closer images sharper, etc. And perhaps I should get started since of course there's only 30 days in this month, but I have been churning out product, and have to make myself stop and do something that's just for the fun and learning of it. I learned so much on my dragon and after some coloring help it is actually one of my best and favorite pieces, as I think this will be. Cheryl

I kinda use what's where I'm at in this workshop/bedroom. I use leather on top of marble at the bench, and at my desk I use a really thick and wide wood cutting board. Sometimes I use a poundo. Sometimes on long pieces I clamp it to my bench top. I think that's everything :-) Oh, just answering the question, not recommending my method. Cheryl

Yeah but the perspective on that would be a *itch, LOL

I'm glad you clarified that Syl because I didn't realize you had to draw your own picture. I downloaded pictures of covered bridges and streams and also a brook by a pasture I was going to insert Sienna into. If I have to freehand I'll never get done, LOL although I think I could the brook one from looking at the picture. I'm still not started yet :-( I got everything out last night but and ran the copies off of the brook picture, but didn't start yet. Cheryl

Custom yes we do these every month. If you look at the top of this board you'll see 'watch topic' which will be for this month. Next month the July challenge will be in the same place but you'll have to 'rewatch.' Welcome, good luck on your surgery and grab that swivel knife!!!! Cheryl

I haven't had anything to add as I'm just starting with SS myself but have followed this thread really closely and learned a lot. I'm glad you asked about your stitching on this part because I thought it looked pretty darn good myself. Cheryl

Hey, welcome. You are in the right place. Cheryl

I just sent John an email too, those buckles are gorgeous. Cheryl

Very true Art. These are not industrial leather machines, and I get mad when I see them advertised as such. But I'm a production line of one and I sew on mine with leather maybe 15 minutes a day. You can't use these 8 hours a day everyday to sew leather or they will eventually die and it ain't easy to kill a Singer :-)

Hi Ray. burgundy is probably giving you fits because it isn't a color. I mean everyone knows what burgundy is but it's not the same color to everyone. I hope you have more than fiebings spirit or oil dyes because you have to mix burgundy. It's just read and brown. I started with watered down dark brown water based dye and just kepi adding a dollop of red until I got to what I consider burgundy. Hope this helps. Cheryl

Hi Julie, have you tried spreading it out with a small brush? Cheryl