TXAG

Needles are cheap...you'll need to have a few onhand if you're going to stitch by hand... I cannot think of any viable way to make a new hole in your needle there...I suppose if you really had to, you could hammer the end flat on an anvil and then make another hole, but...you should get more needles. I've broken needles before too...I've read it can happen more often if you twist/pull on it at the same time...

Yeah, a lot of the book is about packing parachutes, but there is also a lot about sewing, different classes of sewing machines, hand sewing (harnesses, etc.), military specifications as far as strengths of various materials, threads, stitches, etc...it's a good reference for those that want to make their own gear. It's nice that it's online in google, but beware -- they've been known to suddenly remove texts that were available previously without warning. (They did this on a knot reference I found before...can't even find it on there now...)

You mean these? http://www.ranch2are...nchoreview.html And these? http://www.ranch2are...m/dblbklov.html ...and before anyone tries to say those aren't them...

ROFL

Weird...it's in several libraries around me locally. It's not really a rare book...there may only be 88 libraries willing to loan it out via interlibrary loan, but they're not rare. Just about every parachute rigger in the US has (or SHOULD have) at least one volume. If you are serious about sewing and doing it to high standards (especially nylon or cotton fabrics and webbing), you ought to own the book anyway.

You're welcome...I have a lot of experience in skydiving, so have known it as a reference for a while now...it has a lot of different techniques for sewing x-boxes, strength of various webbing and thread, etc...I think it's exactly what you need...

This is too complicated to answer simply in a post here. For complete, documented, and accurate answers to your questions (there are quite a few variables in there...for one, it would depend on the type of webbing, etc.), you'd need to read the Poynter manual. (This one (http://www.amazon.com/The-Parachute-Manual-Aerodynamic-Decelerators/dp/0915516802/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1384792548&sr=8-3&keywords=poynter+manual or Volume 1, if you can find either one in a library...many libraries have one or both...) That will give you best, most accurate answers to those questions without any supposition or conjecture.

Blah, blah, blah...

You don't need an etsy store to do that. Anyway, I posted a legitimate question -- I didn't understand why people are apparently drawn to poorly-made items, but thanks to most of the responses in this thread, I get it now. Too few people left in the world that appreciate well-made, finely-crafted items. Got it.

Looks like some people around here do not cannot differentiate between bad design and bad technique.

"F"or "S"ale

Ok, as far as the etsy guy I posted a link to in my first post -- in order for someone to "feel bad" about what someone else says about their work implies that they actually care what other people think. That is clearly not the case...they think their stuff is awesome and slopped it together like that intentionally so it would look "artsy-craftsy" or something (I happen to think it's because they don't want to 'waste time' doing things the right way when they think what they did was 'good enough') and they're happy with how it looks. They don't care what other people think because if they did, they'd take some time to cut straight lines, finish edges, and stitch straight. It shows a lot of arrogance for someone to put something like that up for sale. But that's just my opinion. I agree with almost everyone else in that's posted in this thread. Also, there's a huge difference in reluctantly selling items that aren't up to your own standards....and selling stuff that looks like that and not giving a crap about what it looks like...even being proud of it looking like that.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/169288621/leather-notebook-folio-for-35x55?ref=listing-shop-header-0 So there are buyers that actually prefer stuff that looks like this vs. made with attention to detail, care, straight cuts/stitches, etc.?? I'm baffled...it makes me feel stupid putting the care I do into the things I make if people seem to like (maybe even prefer) things that look like they were made by a child. And yes, I am sure my stuff isn't perfect, but it looks a heck of a lot better than that...I would be embarrassed to try to sell something that looked like that.

Nah, you'll be making nice stuff in no time. If you search threads by other makers, you'll be able to find detailed information for how to make these. Good luck -- I've already found a lot of info elsewhere. PM me if you have questions.

Thanks for the recommendation on the book/tool. I had looked at them quite a while back and opted against buying them...primarily because I don't want to have to rely on a tool to be able to make these. (I have nothing against those that do or anything like that...I just don't want to have to carry extra stuff around to tie knots...right now, I have it narrowed down to a small notebook and jumbo lacing needle, and piece of pvc and that's it...don't want to keep up with screws, pins, etc...) Anyway, here is a barber pole interweave I did with some 3/32" lace I cut... Yes -- I know it should be on a smaller cylinder and/or tightened.

From what I saw on their webpage, it looks like they may be the leather supplier for Col. Littleton's...at least for some of their stuff...

Nevermind. Doesn't matter.

Link does not appear to go to any sort of "store"...

Great pics. Looks like some kind of plastic lace to me...like this stuff... http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/PetitPoulailler/6599978/rexlace_plastic_craft_gimp_lace_lacing_variety_pack/indie_supplies/craft_supplies/other I would not use that stuff for anything even remotely useable. I don't know what the best way to stitch up your bellows would be, but I definitely wouldn't use that plastic lace stuff.

Made this with roo lace I cut...

The one I have will do what you want, but it costs a lot more than $400 unless you can find a used one and only want to do a straight stitch...and then they're around $500-$600. I think your budget is going to be your biggest obstacle in getting good machine to do what you want. I would stay away from any home machines and the heavier duty ones just cost quite a bit more than your budget, at least in my last quite a few years of researching and buying machines.

Thanks...I am partial to the chevron pattern also. I made a "barber pole" pattern last night too, but it is at home. I'll probably add a pic of it later today...

Again, I am stuck having to make a new post instead of editing my old one due to the restrictively short edit buffer. Here is one of the knots I made without the grid thing...(and the lace is some junky quality 3/32" roo lace I got from Springfield Leather. It is very dry and doesn't lay right (to me)...guess I was spoiled by the quality of the first roo lace (drum stuffed) I bought from a guy in Australia...)

Well. I was able to tie a couple of patterns without having to resort to that grid thing. Received instructions using simple over/under explanations and it worked fine. I'll post pics of proof later.

http://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=nylon-thread