CoreyChiev

I'm saddle stitching the pattern from Tandy's steampunk round belt bag. I've stitched the front to the gusset and I'm working on stitching the back/top flap to the gusset to complete it. But for some reason when I finish the back panel, it's cockeyed and doesnt want to close properly over the clasp. The front looks like it lines up nicely with the gusset, but for the life of me, I can't figure out why I can't get the back to be even remotely even. I've unstitched it and restitched it 2x already. Can anyone suggest a way for me to stitch it, so that it's not cockeyed? I think the round part is throwing me off. Where should I start stitching from? Side? Middle near the bottom? I'm at my wits end. Thanks, Corey

Would the dye reducer work, or should I go get some isopropyl alcohol?

No to hijack the thread, but I've also got a similar problem to this one. I went a little bit too dark. I used Fiebings Light Brown alcohol based dye. Would there be something I could use to lighten it a tad? I'm not looking for a miracle eraser, but I'm curious to try something on it. Thanks, Corey

Yes, I had the same problem you are having. There is definitely some kind of glaze on there. I tried the deglazer and had some luck with it. It's not fantastic, but for $40 a side, I'm not sure I would expect anything out of this world.

I'm going to try all of the above on this project and see if I can't get it to come out decent. My one big problem with the " cut the gusset a little longer and trim" is that I also like to tool a design onto the gusset. (I know, I'm a bit of an overachiever) It makes it difficult to get the design centered, and not have it lopsided, or higher up on one side than the other. If it was blank, this would be really simple. But I do everything the hard way. How else do I learn? LOL I will get a picture of my sewing project posted here hopefully so I can show you where my difficulty lies. Thanks for the help everyone! Corey

Thanks Claire, I will find that video. JLS, It is a firm bag, I wanted to start with what I thought was simple, so I put flesh to flesh side and stitched. Gusset edges turned out. Do you think it may be a hole count punching problem? Thanks, Corey

Hello Awl! (hehe bad pun) I'm having a problem saddle stitching around corners for a purse. When I try to attach the gusset to the front of the purse my sewing is fine as I sew down the straight edge. When I start sewing around a corner however, it seems like one side of the sewing lags behind the other and doesnt line up properly. This makes the gusset not come up to the proper height when I get up to the other side of the bag. I'm always short. Any tips as to what I am doing wrong? Should I be counting the holes that I punched to make sure they are equal? I'm using a 3mm pronged punch for the whole project, and my spacing seems even. I'm at a loss. I'm even using a template, so I know the gusset is the proper length with respect to the front and back panels of the purse. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Corey

Dwight, you are so right! I was just thinking how darn slippery my purse strap was the other day. (its stitched flesh to flesh side) It tries to slip off my shoulder every time I wear my winter coat. I'm going to have to check out some of these higher end purse stores and see what they do. What would you recommend for a sealer on the flesh side? I've got Tan Kote and Super Sheen at home. I've noticed that Tan Kote seems to seal the fibers down fairly well, but I'm not sure if that is what I should use it for. Thanks for the help everyone! Corey

Hi Bob! Thanks for replying so quick! So I should probably not leave the back unfinished eh? I was leaning in that direction too. What type of liner is good? It looks like I've got some hand stitching in my future. My stitching is OK, its just so darn time consuming. I'd rather be hammering away... Corey

Hey all! Been a lurker on the forum for quite a while, figured I'd finally ask a question. I'm working on a small purse made from veg tan leather, all hand tooled goodness. Normally I make it into a belt bag, but I had a friend ask me to convert it into a purse with straps. I've never made purse straps before. (I can cut leather into straps, but that's not really my question for today.) Is it normal to make them out of veg tan and leave the back side unfinished? Or should I be stitching 2 lightweight straps of veg tan together? (I'm not a huuuuge fan of hand stitching straps together, but if I have to, I will.) Or, option 3, should I be using an entirely different type of leather for the straps? Any tips/pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Corey