Basically Bob

This, in a small designated drawer on my bench.

Congrats! Amazing for virtually a first project! Keep it up!

Great job! ... I especially like the way you colored it.

Wow, what an awesome thread! I, also, have been struggling with curves and until now, have been getting around the issue by using an overstitch wheel to mark the stitch location on curves then continuing on the straight runs with either my 1 1/2" or 1/2" pricking irons. Just spent about 30 minutes at the bench using UnionCraft's technique and .... by golly, I think I got it! My overstitch wheel will now be used for what it was intended. Thanks to all for sharing! Bob

Awesome work, Cyberthrasher!

Welcome here, Frank! Would love to get over to the Azores sometime!

Thanks, Benlilly! Understood, Bob ... that certainly is one of the benefits of a custom cut strap. That being said, if the customer wants a buckle ... that's what he gets. Eddie, thanks for your comment about the colouring. The base colour of the strap matches the base colour of the customer's guitar and actually took some fooling around to get it right. The customer is thrilled with it and was great guy to deal with. One heck of a player, too! Bob

Welcome Alex ... Just wondering if you are aware of the CSCL (Canadian Society of Creative Leatherworkers) annual meeting in Stoney Creek on the weekend?

You're right guys, I should have included better pics. Here y'go ... ... My apologies if the orientation isn't correct ... don't know how to fix it.

Thought y'all might like to see the strap I just finished. This contoured design is my signature strap. It fits comfortably over the shoulder and just feels right, even with my bass hangin from it. Put this together for a gigging musician to use with his old sunburst Harmony guitar. It's custom fit, with both the hole-to-hole length and the distance from the players mid shoulder and attachment point taken into account. Used 7/8 oz. veg with a supple horse liner. Hand stitched using 5/18 linen thread @ 7 spi. The thread was dyed to work with the strap color

Looks great!

Nice work! Sure is nice to see a young'n on a 4-banger

I am certainly not tired of the music theme ... looks great!

Looks good! Thanks for sharing.

Allan, looks like a great piece of work! How 'bout sharing some of the construction and finishing details?

Many of the projects I completed when I was making small projects and at the beginning of this journey were finished similar to what you are describing. I dyed the leather, let it dry for a short while ... perhaps an hour or two (whenever the leather appeared to be dry). applied neatsfoot oil and then finished with atom wax. Atom wax looks great, for sure, however, it is not weather resistant so if you are making things that are going to be exposed to the weather, keep this in mind. I am making guitar straps, now, and am concerned about colour transfer so I have changed the process. I dye and let dry for at least 24 hours. This, I believe, ensures that the dye has really taken hold in the leather. Next, I apply neatsfoot oil and let it dry for at least 24 hours. (softens things up a bit) Next, I apply, 2/3 coats light coats of Resolene (50/50). This is an acrylic sealer and will prevent colour transfer. I use an air brush or sponge depending on the size of project. After waiting for a minimum of 24 hours, I apply Montana Pitch Blend leather dressing, let it sit until it looks to be absorbed in the leather and buff. I line all of my straps with supple, 2/3 oz. chap leather. Works for me (this week LOL). For edges, I burnish with saddle soap, dye, burnish, rub on bees wax & burnish.

hunio, your work amazes me! Thanks for sharing ... again!

Thanks, so much, Ducjes!

Quest outfitters has a pattern for a dog pack. Here's a link. http://www.questoutfitters.com/patterns-misc-cart.htm#Misc.%20Patterns ... the pattern is not for leather but perhaps it would be a good place to start. Check out retailers that sell to the outdoors market. (canoeing, kayaking etc.)

Beautiful work!

This ...

Thanks, Randy!

Wow! Awesome project ... looking forward to more progress reports!

+1 to both comments above! What type of leather did you use? Thanks for sharing .... looking forward to seeing more of your work!

Tundra leather in Hamilton.