DavidL

I'm attempting to make a leather wallet and the exterior is upholstery type leather which can't hold its shape. Which leather is thin enough (1mm) and stiff like a poster board that you can buy from the dollar store?

I would just return this back. Looks like the grain had treatment to it and is less than top grain quality and has a plastic feel to it.

How would I fade and darken leather like the picture below? My guess is that the leather already started out looking vintage and something was used to remove the finish on the leather and then dye was added to the edge. Am I headed in the right direction?

I've practiced a lot on soft chrome tanned leather thats 1.2mm-1.5mm and its has been a struggle to get consistent stitches for anything longer than 5 inches. I have noticed that on some stiffer scrap buffalo piece that i don't have that much of a problem stitching. My question is will this leather http://springfieldleather.com/32756/Side%2CBag%2CMilano%2CEarth-Tone/ with a bag stiffener or veg tanned leather wedged between a lining piece be able allow for good looking stitches.( will be folded into itself so it is - the leather, the bag stiffener and lining X2) Also can someone clarify if pull-up leather can be hand stitched like veg tanned?

would any who owns an old barnsley say they equal in quality to vergez blanchard? i have a blanchard but they are pricy.

I dont machine sew myself but I have seen it done in videos before. The sewing machine foot (I think thats what its called) on their machine was not rectangular but it was placed adjacent to the needle and rolled. It might be called a rolling foot. But specifically in leather shoe making a specialized machine is used only for that particular stitch you are referring to.

I've talked to the writer of the book and he seems to be very talented. He's selling more of an online professional course than a how to book and the material is meant not for people into hobby and crafts but for people to make a living from leather work. Hence the slightly inflated price tag.

I'm using fil au chinois 532 and it works fine but is pricy. Switching over to Tiger thread. Hoping its better.

Which pricking iron do you think is the best Im in need of a new 6 SPI iron Choices -Vergez blanchard ($150 for 6 teeth - not 10 teeth like the picture below) -Leprovo ($90 for one inch iron) -barnsley ( $150 for 10 teeth) If you had a choice which would you pick and why?

Better get on it Nigel. I have money set aside for a book.

I have seen his video on the web and Ian's videos are great as well. Thats exactly what I was looking for. A page of the book would help my decision.

thanks for the suggestions il give it a go

I think I may pick up the manual since it also has online help and the author is a registered e learning teacher from uk. Are there any other books that are worthwhile to pick up for things like making pockets and things like luggage bags, briefcases and backpacks.

Im looking to buy. Gotten a PM from another member too. My bad I should edit the post so people won't get confused.

barry king round maul 24 ounce $35 metal ruler and right angle ruler $15 osborne punches full set interchangeable $15 wood burner $12

This is an email from the seller There is so much nonsense on the web about Barnsley and all of the babblers don't know what they are talking about. There are NO new Barnsley's: the maker is over 100 and stopped producing several years ago and we can't find a replacement for her. The ones that Hale & Co. sell are the last left of an old batch that was made c. 1920. I find the Blanchard ones to be very heavy and big; these are smaller. Is this legitimate old stock? the pricking iron looks new and probably be more expensive if it was made by the original brothers. Sounds like something fishy is going on can anyone confirm if these guys are legitimate.

Thanks for the answers.

i do not do any saddle making but my tips should still apply. The awl size should correspond to the stitches per inch. Some where between a 56 - 70mm awl should work for 5-6 spi . Fineleatherworking.com has blanchard awls for $22 with handles attached. I own an awl from them and they work fine with a little bit of a sharpening.

5:50 yellow sheet of paper. Sand paper? 6:16 black cloth 6:27

The page is http://theleatherconnection.com/id30.htm 97 dollars for a book that is supposedly written by a skilled london leatherworker and included is free help from the author by email. Any one has heard or own any of his publications?

another video for everyone.

beautiful bag strudell. Did you take a leather apprenticeship? Im still starting out but id be happy if my work turns out this good, especially the circle stitching in the middle.

If you are patient tandy leather has sides that go on sale for $100.

Thanks for the reply i think I'm going to go for another vergez pricking iron as I already have one in a different size and they seem to be doing fine. On the off chance since you seem to have many tools, do you have any 6 SPI pricking irons that you don't use and want to sell?

Do you own a barnsley or is this what you have read?