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MonicaJacobson

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Everything posted by MonicaJacobson

  1. MonicaJacobson
    Ha, I have some disposable gloves to use when I dye things, but I forget half the time and have multi-colored fingers. I'm trying to get better, though, because I don't think the dye is particularly good for you if you do a lot of it. I am working on something (you can see it here), and I'm only about a week from being done! It's exciting because it's the first time I've tried piping. Hopefully I did it correctly. Unfortunately, I have to put it aside for a week and replace a zipper I put in the wrong way on another bag.
  2. MonicaJacobson
    Nice, Kymberly, I'm glad you ended up using veg tanned on the handle rather than suede. I like that the triangle isn't the same on both sides, as well.
  3. MonicaJacobson
    Ha, yeah, I had her do all the edge finishing, too. I'm going to dye the edges on the strap, and then hand it back over for a week with some more saddle soap. :-D It's fun when someone else gets to experience how much work it is, and then how proud you feel when you carry around something you made yourself. @Wicked Welts - niece, sis-in-law, usually the same thing in terms of age. It's all good. But you should definitely post your stuff. Half the fun is showing your progress. It also helps other new people see how you got from not as good to better, and that can be extremely encouraging for everyone.
  4. MonicaJacobson
    Really classy!
  5. MonicaJacobson
    Cool Chris, way to rescue the project!
  6. MonicaJacobson
    Nice job. It looks gorgeous.
  7. MonicaJacobson
    I think if you dye something you want to seal it to keep the dye from running. So yes, you're correct. If it's not dyed, you can do what you want. You could leave it unprotected entirely. It wouldn't like it much, but you could. The aussie has beeswax in it, so it's a light protection.
  8. MonicaJacobson
    Stain usually refers to something you'd use on wood, and depending on the marketing, is either a dye or else a dye suspended in a finishing agent. Or even just paint. Dye is spirit based (at least, the better ones like fiebings), and offers absolutely no protection. Now antiquing is a little different. The antiquing I have is water based, but I haven't looked into it much and don't know if other brands are spirit based. People use antiquing to darken the leather. But you also have to seal after you use the antiquing. I think Lexol works okay on furniture (I have some myself), but for a real conditioner on a leather belt, it's better to use neatsfoot or Aussie. I don't think Lexol offers much, if any, protection.
  9. MonicaJacobson
    Oh dear, there are so many options. You could darken it in the sun, and apply diluted (50% with water) resolene... or mop-n-glow. I've never used the mop-n-glow, but a lot of people say it's like resolene. Just a few light coats with 12 hour periods inbetween. Or you could buy a light brown dye, and seal that with supersheen, saddle lac, resolene, or mop-n-glow. If you want a more matte look, Aussie Leather Conditioner is nice. It doesn't protect it as much and requires more upkeep, but it feels really nice and less plastic-y.
  10. MonicaJacobson
    Ha, nicest thing anyone has said to me all week, Tom, but I'm not sure I can agree it's true. The one I'm making right now is 6.5 oz for the body and gussets and I didn't skive it at all. I think it's okay. Some people might prefer a slimmer profile, 'tis true. Not bad for a 13 year old, right? I cut things out, and she helped make the holes and sewed it together.
  11. MonicaJacobson
    Nice! What's the leather?
  12. MonicaJacobson
    That is a seriously nice tote. I think I'm jealous.
  13. MonicaJacobson
    Except for people who draw their own Sheridan Style designs. Blows my mind.
  14. MonicaJacobson
    Nice work!
  15. MonicaJacobson
    Whoa, hunio, a whole new level of Awesome.
  16. MonicaJacobson
    Ah, the controversial world of dyes and coatings. People usually use Fiebing's dyes or Angelus dyes. Here's a helpful Angelus color chart someone made. I've only ever used Fiebings, but if you get them, make sure you get "professional". Otherwise you'll feel like you should have bought professional originally, and spend more money duplicating your supplies later. People swear that professional works better. I am uncertain of it, myself. Some people use Eco-Flo, but I don't think that's because it's better. I think just because it's there and people pick it up to try it. The finish is really up to your preference. Some people use Saddle Lac, some people use Super Sheen, some people use Resolene (cut 50/50 with water - very important), some people use diluted mop-n-glow. Good luck!
  17. MonicaJacobson
    Or.... just cut the threads, cut yourself a new gusset, and go from there. The stitching wouldn't look quite as nice, but it probably wouldn't be noticeably worse, while a design change might ruin the whole project. You can use the old gusset on something else later. I always leave an inch on each side of the gusset because of that exact problem. Then I have to figure out what to do with the extra later, which is its own headache.
  18. MonicaJacobson
    No, I have a collection of my favorite leatherwork images on pinterest, and I told her to scroll through and tell me if she saw something she wanted to make. She picked that one. But we dispensed with the strap and used a twist clasp instead.
  19. MonicaJacobson
    Coincidentally, my little sis-in-law wanted this in black, and I'm in the middle of making it with her on the weekends. Thanks, Tom.
  20. MonicaJacobson
    Nice, Chief!
  21. MonicaJacobson
    Very cool! I love the wood texture.
  22. MonicaJacobson
    Let me re-coup some of the cash I've been spending like water. I'm definitely planning to acquire some Au Chinois this year, some way or another.
  23. MonicaJacobson
    It helps if you start with a clean cut, and bevel your edges with a sharp beveler. The cleaner it is, the easier to handle. Believe me, I learned this the hard way. Keep in mind that everyone has their different method, and you really just have to figure out what works for you. I burnish the first time with saddle soap, let that dry, and sand it with 400 - 600 grit sandpaper. Burnish again with saddle soap, and repeat sandpaper and saddle soap until you like it. Sometimes it only takes 2-3 times. I've had some trouble with the edges not lasting as long as I like, so I've been experimenting with three thin coats of resolene (one coat every 12 hours) to see if that will help the edge last. I haven't been doing it long enough to know if it works, however. I've never worked with beeswax, but I hear people get good results. Maybe that's why my edges don't last as long as I want them to. I'm jealous - I'd love to see Old Crow Medicine Show anywhere!
  24. MonicaJacobson
    I love the celtic dog theme. Fun bag!
  25. MonicaJacobson
    Sweet! A USA Tiger thread distributor for 500 meters! I know a lot of people will be excited. It was a real bummer when Ludlow disappeared. Now, if only you could get Au Chinois thread for cheaper than fineleatherworking, I'd buy it. A girl can dream.
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